Bushiri says he is half Zambian, calls Joshua Banda and Imakado as fake bishops
Prophet Shepherd Bushir
Controversial South Africa based Malawian prophet Shepard Bushiri says those wanting to deport him when he visit Zambia will first have to deport his mother and relatives who are Zambian.
In an exclusive interview with News24, Prophet Bushiri reveals that he is half Malawian and half Zambian because his mother hails from Kitwe on the Copperbelt province.
Bishop Banda
Bishop Imakando
Rubbishing reports that he has threatened government of Zambia, Prophet Bushiri says he enjoys cordial relation with the Zambian government but said it is the Bishops who he described as fake the ones he has some differences with.
“Live on my TV station, the Prophetic Channel, I prophesied of a building cracking and prayed that people’s live are to be preserved. If you recall, Bishop Joshua Banda had a press briefing informing the country that I prophesied civil war. Bishop Joshua Banda is not a government. Bishop Joe Imakando is not the government. They are not the Ministry of Home Affairs. I repeat, I never addressed the government of Zambia, but the ‘fake’ Bishops,” charges Prophet Bushiri.
Prophet Bushiri says the Bishops were afraid of losing members as his ministry is growing fast.
“I have always met opposition and I’m prone to it by now. These Bishop are afraid that they are losing membership because people are leaving their churches. In fact one pastor from these Bishops has joined my church since last week,” he said.
Below is the verbatim:
News24:
Good evening Sir
Major 1:
Good evening, I hope God is blessing you Sir.
News24:
How is South Africa? And how is ministry?
Major 1:
South Africa is fine, and ministry is doing fine.
News24:
Like I said 2 days ago when arranging for this tele-interview, we as News24 Zambia are humbled at the gesture of according us time to have this time, although you are not an easy man to reach…
Major 1:
That’s Ok with me. Please go ahead Sir.
News24:
Straight to the point: some people in Zambia say that you addressed the Zambian government and threatened/dared the government to stop mistreating other men of God coming from outside. How true is this?
Major 1:
First and foremost, I have never addressed the government of Zambia. What is on record is my address to the Zambian Bishops who are busy misinforming the general populace and claiming that I prophesy civil war in Zambia which is not the case. Live on my TV station, the Prophetic Channel, I prophesied of a building cracking and prayed that people’s live are to be preserved. If you recall, Bishop Joshua Banda had a press briefing informing the country that I prophesied civil war. Bishop Joshua Banda is not a government. Bishop Joe Imakando is not the government. They are not the Ministry of Home Affairs. I repeat, I never addressed the government of Zambia, but the ‘fake’ Bishops.
News24:
What is your relationship with the leadership of Zambia? Are you in cordial understanding with the Zambian government?
Major 1:
I am having a good relationship with the current government of Zambia. I have always been in warm hands whenever I am in that country. I think you can even tell that even in the media, most of the serving ministers have been spotted with me in different functions and photos taken together can attest to that.
News24:
Why is it that you are always coming to Zambia? What is it that you need from the Zambians?
Major 1:
Is it me who needs something from the Zambians or it’s the Zambians who need me? Look at this, there are so many orphanages that my ministry supports in Zambia. I am commissioned by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to support those in need. It is like fire burning in my bones, to do something good to those who need me. So many Zambians benefit from me spiritually. Thousands of Zambians follow me in South Africa every week so that I pray for them and bless them. So who needs who here? I have so many Zambians who have been assisted by my business platforms.
News24:
It was head that if you come to Zambia, you will be immediately deported. What’s your take on that?
Major 1:
You only deport someone who has an issue with you. I don’t have any issue with the Zambian government. I haven’t committed any crime whatsoever. My biological mother is Zambian from KITWE. My biological father is Malawian. I’m half Zambian and half Malawian. If it is deporting me, you will have to first deport my mother and her family too.
News24:
Why do you think the ‘Bishops’ are attacking your ministry?
Major 1:
There are two things here: I have a fastest growing ministry, and I think they are jealousy. Secondly, I take them as elders of the church because in the fivefold ministry, they don’t appear… [Laughs]. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; and no Bishops are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11” hence they can never fully understand the ministry.
News24:
Is it strange that your fellow men of God attack you?
Major 1:
They are not the first ones. I have always met opposition and I’m prone to it by now. These Bishop are afraid that they are losing membership because people are leaving their churches. In fact one pastor from these Bishops has joined my church since last week.
News24:
What is the final word to people who have been looking forward to hear your side of the story?
Major 1:
1. I enjoy a good relationship with the Zambian leadership. I pray for them always and the President of Zambia, HE Edgar Lungu is a good leader and a God fearing person.
2. I was addressing the Bishops who are misleading the public that I prophesied civil war, of which I didn’t.
3. The minister of Religion, Hon. Godfridah must never be influenced by these Bishops when executing duties that are of prime importance to the Zambian society.
4. I do a lot of charity work in Zambia and I enjoy in all my ministration because Zambia is a Christian nation.
5. I continue to be of use to the Zambians who need me for prayer and other economic acumen.
6. My mother is Zambian, from KITWE so I also belong to Zambia.
7. I pray that Zambia will continue holding on to its Christian values which have always fostered its flag to remain a beacon of peace and haven for all inhabitant from all over the world.