Justice Dept lashes MK's Shivambu for appearing at Bushiri's Easter service

JOHANNESBURG - The justice ministry has slammed MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu’s association with fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, calling it a blatant act of disrespect to South Africa’s legal system.

This follows a viral video of the two seen together during an Easter service in Malawi, sparking widespread backlash.

The ministry of justice and constitutional development has condemned Shivambu's appearance alongside self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri.

In a video widely circulated on social media, Bushiri is seen publicly acknowledging the MK Party secretary-general during an Easter service in Malawi.

In a statement reacting to the clip, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said that Shivambu's visit to the prophet’s church not only undermined the credibility of the judiciary, but also downplayed the serious charges Bushiri was facing.

Bushiri violated his bail conditions when he fled South Africa to Malawi in 2020 after being charged with multiple offences, including rape and fraud.

In March, a Malawian court ruled in favour of extraditing him back to South Africa.

Kubayi said that as a member of a political party represented in Parliament, Shivambu had a duty to uphold the rule of law, not associate with fugitives from justice.

The minister has further urged all public representatives to support law enforcement and protect the integrity of the legal system.