MK Party distances itself from Shivambu's visit to fugitive pastor Bushiri in Malawi
The MK Party said that Floyd Shivambu undertook the visit in his personal capacity.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu at a media briefing on 23 January 2025. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has distanced itself from its secretary-general Floyd Shivambu's visit to fugitive Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi.
Social media has been abuzz following a video circulating online where the two are seen together at the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church, attending an Easter service.
Thank you my brother, Prophet Bushiri for hosting us and for the kind words. The government scale amount of work you do to economically, educationally, socially and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled now and in history.
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) April 19, 2025
I know that the leadership and people of Malawi… https://t.co/A7x2SSHQWF
The MK Party said that Shivambu undertook the visit in his personal capacity.
This has since sparked extreme backlash, with the justice ministry calling his actions a blatant disregard of the South African legal system.
The MK Party has slammed Shivambu for his recent visit to fugitive Shepherd Bushiri's church.
In a statement, the party said it did not sanction or endorse Shivambu's trip.
UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY DISTANCES ITSELF FROM SECRETARY GENERAL'S VISIT TO SHEPHERD BUSHIRI'S CHURCH pic.twitter.com/TuzmWml60C
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) April 19, 2025
This is after Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled the country while out on bail in 2020.
The couple faces multiple charges, including rape, fraud and money laundry.
The political party said it opposed any association with individuals who were fugitives from justice.
It also emphasised that they did not condone the exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers.