A prime official in considered one of South Africa’s largest political events has been sacked after he visited a controversial Malawian pastor in April.
Floyd Shivambu has been eliminated as secretary-general of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) social gathering barely six months into the job after he attended an Easter service at self-proclaimed pastor Shepherd Bushiri’s church.
Mr Bushiri, from Malawi, was considered one of southern Africa’s greatest identified preachers when he was arrested and charged with fraud in South Africa in 2020.
After being launched on bail, he managed to flee to his residence nation in unclear circumstances. South Africa has been attempting to extradite him ever since.
Mr Bushiri denies any wrongdoing.
The MK social gathering, which was based by former President Jacob Zuma, mentioned in a press convention on Wednesday that Mr Shivambu’s removing got here after his actions “had been discovered to be towards the spirit and prescripts of the MK social gathering’s structure”.
“The president and nationwide officers had been left with no different possibility however to behave swiftly,” mentioned MK nationwide chair Nathi Nhleko.
He added that the journey “was not an formally sanctioned programme of the organisation”.
Nonetheless, Mr Shivambu stays a member of the social gathering and can as an alternative signify MK within the Nationwide Meeting.
Reacting to information of his demotion, Mr Shivambu mentioned he “absolutely accepts” the choice taken by the social gathering and seemed ahead to taking over his new function in parliament.
Mr Shivambu joined the MK social gathering in August final yr from the rival Financial Freedom Fighters (EFF) and was later appointed secretary-general – one of many social gathering’s prime positions.
Beneath the management of former President Zuma, the newly shaped MK social gathering got here third in final yr’s elections – a significant factor within the governing ANC shedding its majority for the primary time since democratic elections had been launched in 1994.
Mr Shivambu was broadly criticised in April when he reposted footage shared on X by Mr Bushiri exhibiting the self-proclaimed pastor asking a whole lot of worshippers at his Jesus Nation church to welcome the South African politician.
The politician, in his retweet, additionally praised Mr Bushiri for his “good work” and “for internet hosting us”.
Mr Bushiri is a millionaire who arrange church buildings in a number of African international locations.
He’s accused of preying on poor individuals who had been determined to enhance their lives by promoting merchandise together with “miracle oil”.
The self-proclaimed prophet claims to have cured folks of HIV, made the blind see, modified the fortunes of the impoverished and, on no less than one event, walked on air.
Mr Bushiri has additionally been charged with rape. He and his spouse have denied any wrongdoing.
