Home Affairs Official Fired For Approving Bushiri’s Permanent Residency
The Department of Home Affairs has fired a senior official who was involved in the approval of Shepherd Bushiri’s application for permanent residence.
Chipiloro Gama, also known as Shepherd Bushiri, a controversial Malawian self-proclaimed prophet, and his wife fled South Africa in 2020. The fugitive and his wife reportedly entered the country three times last year and escaped arrest each time.
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Ronney Marhule, the Chief Director for Permitting, was found guilty of two counts of misconduct and noncompliance with the Immigration Act. According to the Home Affairs Department, Marhule attempted to halt the disciplinary process at the Labour Court and the Labour Appeal Court at least three times.
Marhule was charged on two counts, with:
- Gross Dishonesty
- Gross Negligence
- Non-compliance with the Immigration Act, Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Home Affairs, stated that his department is committed to ensuring good governance.
The Department of Home Affairs also revealed last month that Bushiri declared tithes as his own money in order to obtain papers for permanent residency in South Africa.
“The outcome of this disciplinary hearing is taking us closer to ensuring that we bring to an end irregular practices and decisions by Home Affairs officials within the system.
“We are cracking down on all forms of irregularities wherever we find them at Home Affairs,” said Aaron Motsoaledi.
Bushiri and his family, according to reports, did not qualify for permanent residency in South Africa. They used their church’s bank accounts and an aircraft purchased for $1.25 million (R19.4 million) as proof of planned investment.
This was revealed in the final submissions in a disciplinary case filed against the senior official who approved the self-proclaimed prophet’s permanent residency. The department stated that Bushiri did not have a net worth of R12 million but instead used the bank account of the church for his application in 2016.
