Courts & Legal
Bushiri defends R90m investment as SIU questions residence permit
Malawi-born preacher Shepherd Bushiri is once again at the centre of a legal and political storm, this time over the legitimacy of his South African permanent residence.
The Special Investigating Unit has flagged alleged irregularities in how his permit was approved. Bushiri, however, is adamant that his status was secured lawfully through substantial financial investment and proper diplomatic channels.
As the debate plays out, it has reignited broader questions about South Africa’s immigration system and the integrity of processes within the Department of Home Affairs.
Investment claim forms the core of his defence
In a public response shared on Facebook, Bushiri said he invested more than R90 million in South Africa before being granted permanent residence.
According to him, his application was submitted through the South African Embassy in Malawi, not through any church contact within South Africa. He stressed that the approval followed existing immigration provisions that allow for permanent residence on the basis of significant financial investment.
South African immigration policy does provide pathways for financially independent individuals and business investors to apply for permanent residence, subject to prescribed capital thresholds and documentation requirements.
Bushiri maintains that once the application was approved, he and his wife, Mary Bushiri, were formally contacted by the embassy to collect their permits.
He insists there was no favour, no shortcut, and no backdoor arrangement. In his version of events, the process followed the law.
What the SIU investigation found
The SIU’s investigation into the Department of Home Affairs was conducted under Proclamation 154 of 2024. The unit said it uncovered long-standing weaknesses and alleged maladministration within the immigration system.
In Bushiri’s case, the SIU stated that his permanent residence permit was approved by a Home Affairs adjudicator who was a member of his church. The unit flagged this as a potential conflict of interest.
The SIU also raised concerns about documentation linked to the application, including financial declarations. It has been indicated that disciplinary action has been taken against several officials as the wider probe continues.
The matter remains under active investigation.
A church link and a death
Bushiri has strongly criticised how the situation has unfolded, particularly regarding the immigration official implicated in the findings.
He described the official as innocent and claimed the man was unfairly arrested and dismissed. Bushiri further alleged that after the official’s recent death, a statement was issued suggesting he had admitted to issuing the permits unlawfully.
The preacher questioned both the timing and the fairness of the process. He also pointed out that immigration-related charges against him date back several years, asking why arrests occurred before the current investigation findings were publicly detailed.
His remarks have stirred debate online, with supporters framing the situation as politically motivated, while critics argue that due process must be allowed to run its course.
A bigger spotlight on Home Affairs
Beyond the personalities involved, this case once again shines a harsh light on South Africa’s immigration system.
Over the years, concerns about corruption, backlogs, and inconsistent adjudication within Home Affairs have frequently surfaced. The SIU’s broader probe appears aimed at addressing systemic weaknesses rather than focusing on a single high-profile applicant.
For many South Africans, the story is less about one preacher and more about whether the system treats every applicant equally, whether investor visas are scrutinised thoroughly, and whether conflicts of interest are managed properly.
For now, the dispute between Bushiri and the SIU is far from resolved. What is clear is that the issue touches on more than just one permit. It speaks to accountability, transparency, and public trust in institutions tasked with safeguarding the country’s borders and legal processes.
As investigations continue, both sides are standing firm in their positions.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Daily News
