Self-styled Prophet and leader and founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Shepherd Bushiri has had his luxury private jet attached to the ongoing case by the National Prosecuting Authority’s case on allegation that he fabricated the loan agreement papers he presented to authorities for its acquisition.
According to an affidavit by the Hawks, Bushiri purchased his Private jet for $1.25m in November 2015 and paid cash for it despite his claims that it was paid for using a loan. The loan story is what he presented to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) who had caught wind of the purchase since it was done in foreign currency.
“The ministry repaid the funds in South Africa to Joint Aviation Resources LLC (JAR). The source of the repayment of the loan to JAR was church donations to the ministry. JAR will be in a position to provide proof that it was fully paid,”said Bushiri.
However, Sabine Stefanie Kruger one of the directors at JAR refuted any knowledge of such an agreement with Bushiri. What is interesting to note is that it appears the signature used on the agreement presented by Bushiri is similar to that of her retired husband, Henry, who also denied any knowledge of such documents and receipts as presented by Bushiri to the authorities.
“I also dispute my signature on the said document. The receipts shown to me are also fabricated as JAR do not issue such documents,” Henry said in his affidavit.
Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri are currently on bail after paying R100,000 bond each and their fraud and money-laundering case will resume in May 2019.
Last week, leader of the EFF, Julius Malema, came out on social media to support Bushiri noting that he was being judged to harshly by the media and the public. He promised to reveal more details on why he thought so today.
