Charismatic preacher Shepherd Bushiri says he invested more than R90 million in South Africa before being granted permanent residence, disputing SIU findings that his permit was irregularly approved by a Home Affairs official linked to his church.
Image: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri/ Facebook
Malawi-born preacher Shepherd Bushiri has insisted that he invested more than R90 million in South Africa before being granted permanent residence, rejecting findings by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that his permit was irregularly approved by a Home Affairs adjudicator who was a member of his church.
His remarks follow an earlier IOL report in which the SIU said its investigation into the Department of Home Affairs, conducted under Proclamation 154 of 2024, found that Bushiri’s permanent residence permit was approved by an official affiliated to his church, raising concerns about a conflict of interest.
The SIU also alleged irregularities in documentation linked to his application, including concerns relating to financial declarations, as part of what it described as systemic weaknesses within the immigration system.
Investment claim at the centre of Bushiri’s defence
In a Facebook post responding to the SIU’s findings, Bushiri focused heavily on the financial basis of his immigration status.
“Let the irrational SIU of South Africa be reminded of this simple, undeniable truth: I did not apply for my immigration status in South Africa,” he wrote.
“I applied through the South African Embassy in Malawi. My documents were submitted in Malawi, long before we came to South Africa permanently, and not through any church member in South Africa.”
Bushiri said his permanent residence was granted under provisions allowing immigration status for individuals who make substantial investments in the country.
“Our applications were lawfully approved under South African law, which grants immigration status to individuals who make a substantial investment in the country—over R10 million. By the time I applied, I had already invested more than R90 million in South Africa. This was not a favour. It was not an exception. It was the law.”
South Africa’s immigration framework provides for permanent residence on the basis of financial independence, where applicants must demonstrate significant net worth, as well as business-related visas requiring prescribed capital investment into South African enterprises. Applications may be adjudicated within the Department of Home Affairs or through South African missions abroad.
Bushiri said that once approval was granted, he and his wife were contacted directly by the embassy.
“When the permits were approved, we were formally contacted by the South African Embassy in Malawi and instructed to come and collect them. We did not chase anyone. We did not solicit help. We followed the process exactly as prescribed.”
Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri maintain that their permanent residence in South Africa was lawfully obtained after investing more than R90 million, rejecting SIU findings that their permits were irregularly approved.
Image: Dimpho Maja/ Independent Media
SIU findings highlighted in earlier IOL report
In its briefing, the SIU said its probe into Home Affairs had uncovered what it described as long-standing maladministration and corruption within the immigration system.
In relation to Bushiri, the unit said his permanent residence permit was approved by a Home Affairs adjudicator who belonged to his church, a detail it flagged as problematic in the context of impartial decision-making.
The SIU also raised concerns about documentation submitted in support of his application and indicated that the matter forms part of a broader investigation into how immigration permits and visas were processed within the department.
The unit has said disciplinary steps have been taken against several officials as the probe continues.
Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho was appointed as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) new acting head.
Image: File
Allegations surrounding implicated official
Bushiri also addressed the immigration officer implicated in the SIU’s findings, alleging that the official had been unfairly targeted.
“Yet an innocent man was arrested—an immigration officer whose only ‘crime’ was that he was a member of our church,” he wrote.
He claimed the official was “accused, without evidence, of issuing us permits simply because he knew us, even though our applications were lodged, assessed, and approved through official embassy channels long before we entered South Africa”.
“That baseless suspicion cost him everything,” Bushiri said. “He was brutally treated, dismissed from his job, and stripped of his dignity. And last week, he died.”
Bushiri further alleged that a statement was issued after the official’s death claiming he had admitted to issuing the permits illegally.
“What is most painful—and unforgivable—is that before his body was even laid to rest, a statement was rushed out claiming that he had admitted to issuing us permits illegally. They spoke for him only once they were sure he could no longer speak for himself. They know the dead cannot defend the truth.”
Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri maintain that their permanent residence in South Africa was lawfully obtained after investing more than R90 million, rejecting SIU findings that their permits were irregularly approved.
Image: Facebook/ Prophet Shepherd Bushiri
Questions over timing of arrests
Bushiri also questioned the timeline of the case, noting that immigration-related charges against him date back several years.
“To add insult to injury, we were already charged for these so-called immigration offenses six years ago. So the question that burns is this: If this investigation is only emerging now, why were we arrested then? Do you arrest people in order to investigate, or do you investigate in order to arrest?”
“What is happening here is not justice. It is not due process. It is a witch-hunt. And it has already claimed an innocent life.”
The SIU has previously maintained that its findings form part of an ongoing investigation into alleged maladministration and corruption within the Department of Home Affairs.
The matter remains under investigation.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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