Civil rights movement #NotInMyName on Monday commended
Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church leader Shepherd Bushiri for
“maximum cooperation” in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct levelled
against the charismatic preacher and his lieutenants.
In February, #NotInMyName criticised the popular
self-proclaimed prophet, saying several women within the vast church were
complaining about “being taken advantage of”.
“With maximum cooperation from the ECG leader Shepherd
Bushiri and the whistleblowers within the church who made the initial claims,
#NotInMyName closely examined the allegations made. From our side, #NotInMyName
could not authenticate the claims made against the preacher,” said the
movement’s secretary-general Themba Masango.
“Ironically, what was unearthed in our intense
investigation were widespread attempts to blackmail Bushiri by several people
within his church, community leaders, law enforcement officers and leading
political parties. The engagements between #NotInMyName and the ECG are
understandably still ongoing, as the church comprises of thousands of members
whose actions can be traced back to the name and image of the church.”
Masango said as part of that engagement with Bushiri and
his popular ECG church, “programmes are currently under way, as #NotInMyName
does in different mass gatherings like churches, private companies, political
parties and communities to educate and teach men about gender sensitivities and
the respect for women”.
Masango said from the time the numerous allegations of
sexual misconduct were brought to #NotInMyName and others via social media
platforms, the civil rights movement “has been on an extensive fact-finding
mission within the church, and externally”.
“One will remember that after the allegations were brought
to light, #NotInMyName led the charge in expressing disgust and shock – vowing
to scrutinize the veracity of the claims. In February, #NotInMyName took an
immediate radical stance, warning the ECG leader that if the claims were true,
strong, decisive action – including closing down the church – would be
imminent,” said Masango.
“In reaction to the #NotInMyName stance, it will also be
remembered that Bushiri himself publicly opened his doors, and that of the ECG,
inviting emissaries from the civil rights movement to closely probe him and his
church leaders. As part of that process, investigative meetings and
interactions were held with the ECG leadership, particularly Bushiri himself.”
In February, after #NotInMyName issued threats against the ECG,
Bushiri called on the civil rights movement to work closely with him to address
the allegations of sexual misconduct.
The ECG church, headed by the charismatic Bushiri, draws
thousands of people to its services on several days each week in Pretoria.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating a
case of defeating the ends of justice against the church following the death of
three congregants in a reported stampede and at least 17 injured in December.
In the aftermath, the South African National Civic
Organisation (Sanco) led protests at the ECG, with community members calling
for the church to be expelled from the Pretoria Events Center forthwith, and
for Bushiri to be deported home to Malawi.
– African News Agency (ANA)
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