The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has disavowed Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu’s recent appearance at a church service hosted by fugitive Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi.
A video widely shared on social media shows Shivambu attending an Easter service at the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church alongside Bushiri. The footage has drawn sharp criticism from the public and the South African justice ministry, which labelled the visit a flagrant disregard for the country’s legal system.
In a formal statement, the MK Party clarified that Shivambu travelled to Malawi in his personal capacity and that the party neither sanctioned nor supported his engagement with Bushiri.
Bushiri and his wife, Mary, fled South Africa in 2020 while out on bail. They face a series of serious charges, including rape, fraud, and money laundering.
“The MK Party does not support any form of association with individuals who are fugitives from justice,” the statement read. “We reject the exploitation of vulnerable communities, especially innocent Christian believers.”
The party’s distancing comes amid growing calls for accountability and clarity on the stance of political leaders in relation to controversial religious figures.
