Shepherd Bushiri Church Loses Court Bid Over R4.9 Million Rustenburg Property Ownership, SA Reacts
- A North West High Court dismissed an application by two Enlightened Christian Gathering-linked entities seeking ownership of a R4.9m property
- The property is registered under Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Ministries NPC, which was placed in liquidation in February 2024
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the court's ruling, with many celebrating the decision and calling for more action to be taken
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
NORTH WEST – A church linked to fugitive Malawian Prophet Shepherd Bushiri failed in its bid to claim ownership of a R4.9 million property in Rustenburg, after the North West High Court dismissed its application.
Acting Judge Bulelwa Mnyovu ruled against Enlightened Christian Gathering South Africa (ECG SA) and Enlightened Christian Gathering – The Jesus Nation Church Rustenburg NPC, ordering both applicants to cover the respondents' legal costs.
The pair had sought a court declaration that the Rustenburg congregation was the true owner of the property, which is currently registered under Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Ministries NPC (PSBM).
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How the ownership dispute arose
The church's case centred on an alleged oral agreement, claiming that PSBM agreed to hold the property on behalf of the Rustenburg branch until the local entity could be formally registered.
According to the applicants, church member Maria Mokoena purchased the property in 2018 for approximately R4.9 million on the branch's behalf, with congregants subsequently spending at least R5 million on building refurbishments.
The liquidators appointed to wind up PSBM's estate strongly contested this account, arguing there was no credible documentary evidence that Mokoena had acted on behalf of the Rustenburg church. They maintained that the property was legally transferred to PSBM by conveyancers RI and EA Botha on 10 April 2018, making PSBM the registered owner at the time of acquisition.
Judge Mnyovu sided with the liquidators, finding that the church had not established sufficient grounds to prove any ownership rights over the property.
Bushiri remains a fugitive
The ruling adds another legal complication to the unravelling of Bushiri's South African empire. PSBM was placed into liquidation following a Johannesburg High Court order in February 2024, with liquidators tasked with managing and disposing of its assets.
Bushiri himself fled South Africa in November 2020 while on bail, facing charges of fraud, money laundering and contravening the Immigration Act.
Although the Malawi High Court set aside a previous extradition order against him and his wife in late 2025, South African authorities continue to seek his extradition to stand trial. he couple are adamant that they will not return to the country, saying that the justice system is flawed and so they wouldn’t get a fair trial.
Following the ruling, the man known as Major 1 took to social media to refute the narrative that the property belonged to him.
What you need to know about the Bushiri case
- Shepherd Bushiri claims he left SA due to Prophet killings
- Shepherd Bushiri has been accused of sexual assault by two women
- Bushiri's security guards arrested for murder of alleged church thief
- Malawian authorities stopped the Bushiri family from leaving for Kenya
- Bushiri allegedly has been coming in and out of South Africa since fleeing to Malawi
Social media users were unsparing in their reactions
South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the ruling, but they didn’t hold back.
Dakalo Gerald Mafuka wrote:
"I remember the congregants clapping after he told them he has millions, but it is still in their pockets. This man of God always had his socks pulled up on Sundays."
Yami Yugi called for further action, saying:
"The Asset Forfeiture Unit should attach the property since he's an absconder."
Jeff ZW recalled:
"I remember when he said he was building a church in Midrand, then showed congregants fake pictures of the land and TLBs and bulldozers working on the site. Then he asked for contributions. I tell you, he got millions in one day."
Arthur Sonet Austin said:
“The prophet who profits from the poor. Seize all his assets in SA, yes.”
Dali Dman stated:
“Gone are those days when he used to bribe officials to get away.”
Bushiri accuses SAPS of demanding bribe
In a related article, Bushiri made a stunning accusation against the SAPS on 13 March 2024.
The self-proclaimed prophet claimed that SAPS demanded that he pay them R10 million.
Briefly News reported that he also accused government officials of attempting to kill him and his wife.
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Source: Briefly News
