Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri has been dubbed one of the wealthiest prophets in Africa, with an estimated net worth in the billions, but what happened to the fortune he left behind in South Africa after his 2020 arrest?
Since his thrust into the spotlight with his ministry, Enlightenment Christian Gatherings (ECG), prophet Shepherd Bushiri made South Africa his second home.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
However, in November 2020, he fled the country alongside his wife after being nabbed on a string of charges, including money laundering.
Some of the cases dated back to 2015. The two were arrested in 2019 at their South African resort, the Sparkling Waters Hotel in Rustenburg, which was valued at over R1.3 billion at the time.
Apart from money laundering, the two also faced charges of fraud and theft. However, on February 19, the two skipped the country after being granted R100 000 bail each.
Since then, the two have yet to return to South Africa, despite warrants of arrest being issued against them. In recent years, the South African government has tried to bring him back home to stand trial, but nothing has materialised.
Instead, the man of the oath has taken a swipe at the government, accusing it of corruption.
PROPHET BUSHIRI: WHAT HAPPENED TO ECG OWNER’S FORTUNE HE LEFT IN SA?
With Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s return to South Africa, a big doubt many have been asking is what happened to the fortune they left behind in South Africa, which is worth millions, if not billions.
Against the headlines, the publication has since connected the dots about the fortune he left behind, which many often ask about.
In South Africa, prophet Shepherd Bushiri had a large business portfolio worth over 1 billion rands, according to reports.
However, some of his assets were reportedly seized after he violated his bail conditions. The publication notes some of his assets that were allegedly seized after he fled the country.
No doubt these assets took a toll on his net worth, and the prophet often shares his disappointment in a string of posts taking a swipe at the South African government. Some of the alleged seized assets include:
- R 5.5 million Pretoria mansion
- R10 million Rolls-Royce Ghost
- R1.7 million Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
- R4.4 million Aston Martin Volante
- R3.7 million Bentley Flying Spur
- R1.6 million Porsche Panamera
- R3.5 million Lamborghini Murcielago
- R1.3 million Ferrari 360 Modena
- A private jet
Years later, Shepherd Bushiri’s empire faces mounting threats of asset seizure, with several creditors and the state intensifying their efforts to attach his assets.
Among the latest cases is the one involving Absa Vehicle & Asset Finance and a Range Rover linked to Shepherd Bushiri’s wife, Mary.
OTHER ASSETS WHICH WERE NOT SEIZED
However, reports have it that not all of his assets were seized at the time of his arrest. Reports have it that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri had moved some of his cars across the border when he was nabbed.
Rumour mill has it that some of his cars have already been moved to Malawi, including his favourite R4 million Bentley Bentayaga Limited Edition and a R5 million Maserati.
Other assets that were not seized include his R1.3 billion Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa and two private jets.
