HRCC, FND Petitions South Africa Government to Address Shephard Bushiri And Hawks Issues

By Alfred Mthandizi

Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and Forum for National Development (FND) has petitioned the South African Government over issues of Prophet Shepard Bushiri. The CSOs under Black empowerment Taskforce issued a petition to South African Human Rights Commission, Council of Churches and Independent Police Commission to address matters affecting the freedoms and rights of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.

These organizations are concerned with the harassment and infringement of Prophet Shephard Bushiri and negative media coverage which dents the image of the said Malawian. “As regards to issues of Prophet Shephard Bushiri, it was discovered that the South African authorities have no issues with him as a person and there is cordial relationship between the two parties. However, just like any Malawian, Bushiri suffers abuse from the personnel working with the state agents especially the Home Affairs, Police and Hawks who often time overstep their mandate and infringe on his rights.

Based on its interface and discoveries in RSA about the rights infringements of Prophet Shephard Bushiri and other Malawians, the only appropriate decision to get responses from the South African Government through the Minister of Safety and Security.” Reads the joint petition. The Taskforce is worried that the Hawks have not been able to prosecute its officials implicated in the rights infringement and smear campaign against Bushiri.

The BEEA Taskforce also issued a statement and engaged with the South African High Commission to Malawi on the same. RSA security arm has been saying that it is investigating the man of God and yet till now the results of the investigations have not yet been made public.

Another area of concern according to the Taskforce was to call upon Ministries of Home affairs and International cooperation /Foreign Affairs Malawi to enter into negotiations with South African Government to review Conditions for Malawians travelling to and staying in RSA.

Details which the Taskforce has released comes from the BEEA taskforce meeting which was held on Tuesday the 19th of June 2018 where it reviews progress and matters affecting the cause.

Taskforce Chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba says it is therefore being shared for purposes of updating Malawians and further enhancing accountability on the part of duty bearers. Mkwezalamba said most often than not, matters of diplomacy tend to receive cord shoulders hence it is desired to alert the public on matters on the table for wider awareness and speedy address.

“We have started the process of planning for a National Conference on Black Economic Empowerment scheduled to take place between 3rd and 4th of September 2018, we therefore call on all Malawians to be with us in these matters and take appropriate steps and stands for the realization of these goals in the best interest of Malawians.” Said Mkwezalamba.

To expound on these events the CSOS have extended the process to rights and accountability bodies in South Africa and the Government in order to get redress.