KEY POINTS
- A South African court approved the auction of Shepherd Bushiri’s luxury jet amid allegations it was bought with laundered funds, while the fugitive preacher fights extradition from Malawi.
- The NPA seeks to recover investigation costs and compensate fraud victims, as the impounded aircraft has accumulated R4.2 million in storage fees since 2020.
- Despite Malawi’s extradition approval, Bushiri continues ministry operations online and maintains his innocence, calling the asset seizure “prejudicial” in ongoing legal battles.
Controversial televangelist Shepherd Bushiri has lashed out at South African authorities after the North Gauteng High Court authorized the sale of his $15 million Bombardier Challenger private jet, currently impounded at Lanseria Airport.
The ruling marks the latest development in a six-year legal saga surrounding the self-proclaimed prophet, who fled to Malawi in 2020 while facing R102 million fraud and money laundering charges.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) secured the court order last week after proving the aircraft was purchased through suspected illicit financial flows. “Forensic evidence indicates $1.1 million was moved irregularly through shell companies to acquire this jet,” revealed NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga. The grounded luxury plane has accrued over R4.2 million in storage fees since Bushiri and wife Mary skipped bail, with the state arguing taxpayers shouldn’t bear these costs.
South Africa cannot physically retrieve Bushiri
The asset forfeiture comes as Malawi’s High Court recently greenlit the couple’s extradition – a decision they’re now appealing. Legal experts note this creates an unusual jurisdictional clash, as South Africa can’t physically retrieve the Bushiris despite the outstanding 2020 arrest warrants. “We’re witnessing law enforcement chess where every move gets countered,” said Interpol analyst Thando Nkosi, pointing to Bushiri’s continued online sermons reaching his 1.2 million followers.
On Facebook, the Enlightened Christian Gathering leader called the jet sale “a prejudicial act against an innocent man.” His post claimed the aircraft was acquired legally through church funds, though investigators allege it was purchased weeks before Bushiri’s 2019 arrest using offshore accounts.
According to Sowetanlive, the NPA plans to channel auction proceeds toward recovering alleged fraud victims’ losses, including elderly congregants who invested in Bushiri’s cryptocurrency scheme.
Aviation records show the Bombardier (registration ZS-NEX) features gold-plated fixtures and a custom “Prophet 1” livery. Its impending sale has drawn interest from Russian and UAE buyers, though the NPA may prioritize local bidders. Meanwhile, Home Affairs confirms the Bushiris’ South African permanent residency remains revoked, complicating any potential return. “This aircraft ruling tightens the noose financially, but the real battle remains getting them into a Pretoria courtroom,” conceded Hawks investigator Bongani Mthethwa.
