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A charity chaired by Malawi’s first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, has accepted multimillion-dollar pledges from two men facing serious legal scrutiny in South Africa,

Malawi first lady’s charity faces transparency questions after multimillion-rand donations

Contributions from controversial regional figures revive scrutiny over governance and political influence

The Special Investigating Unit traced financial gains of more than R181 million linked to beneficiaries of fraudulent visa applications that were supported by fake documentation

SIU unveils large-scale issuance of fraudulent permits by some home affairs officials

The Special Investigating Unit traced financial gains of more than R181 million linked to beneficiaries of fraudulent visa applications that were supported by fake documentation

Former MK party secretary general Floyd Shivambu. (File photo)

‘Msholozi finally heard us’: MK leaders welcome Shivambu’s axing as secretary general

But there are fears that his tense relationship with senior party figures may limit his effectiveness in parliament

The red beret and EFF leader Julius Malema reflect the image of the party. Photo: File

Malema: Zuma’s MK party wants to undermine EFF under the guise of ‘black unity’

Parties such as Xiluva, and the South African Rainbow Alliance have recently been absorbed by uMkhonto weSizwe party

(John McCann/M&G)

When crime is cloaked as religion

Religion is often the business plan of fraudsters who lie effortlessly to their congregants

Fugitive: Malawian millionaire preacher Shepherd Bushiri waves at sympathisers as he leaves the Lilongwe magistrate’s court on 19 November 2020 after skipping bail in South Africa.  File photo: Amos Gumulira/Getty Images

Corruption rap for NPA pair for failing to prosecute Bushiri

The Hawks allegedly ‘forced’ Bushiri’s alleged rape victims to withdraw their complaints

Louis Tshakoane and his son, held over fraud after four years as fugitives,  were allegedly harboured by the self-proclaimed prophet in Malawi and South Africa. (Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

‘Former Chiefs spin doctor was sheltered by Shepherd Bushiri’

Louis Tshakoane and his son, held over fraud after four years as fugitives, were allegedly harboured by the self-proclaimed prophet in Malawi and South Africa

Thabo Bester escaped from his prison cell — by faking his death in the form of a mysterious burnt corpse specially brought in for the purpose. Photo: Supplied

Thabo Bester’s escape shows how privatising harms crime control

We should question the issue of prison outsourcing when the motive is profit and not public safety

Wanted: Enlightened Christian Gathering Church leader Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary. Bushiri, who fled the country in 2020 with Mary, allegedly raped girls in his congregation. Photo: Veli Nhlapo/Sowetan/Gallo Images

NPA’s Batohi knew about Bushiri rape cover-up: justice ministry

The National Prosecuting Authority received the report implicating prosecutors in delaying justice for rape victims, says the justice department

Fugitive: Malawian millionaire preacher Shepherd Bushiri waves at sympathisers as he leaves the Lilongwe magistrate’s court on 19 November 2020 after skipping bail in South Africa.  File photo: Amos Gumulira/Getty Images

We don’t want to harass Shepherd Bushiri, NPA told the Hawks

Internal meeting notes show state prosecutors allegedly stalled Shepherd Bushiri’s arrest for rape nine days before he escaped

Pastor Shepherd Bushiri. Photo: Supplied

NPA on Shepherd Bushiri: We are satisfied with our work

The prosecuting authority’s right of reply to the Mail & Guardian’s investigation

Bishop Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo. Photo: Supplied

Like Tottenham’s title challenges and attempts to resurrect the dead, the Spurs sponsorship deal has flopped

Miracles R Us flops – like Spurs’ title challenge

Diplomatic incident: Followers of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary after their fraud and money-laundering case was postponed after an appearance in court. (Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe)

The president, the preacher and the great escape

Malawi’s new president was furious after Shepherd Bushiri’s dramatic disappearance from South Africa

Flights of fancy: While Shpeherd Bushiri and Jacob Zuma, both up on charges of corruption, do not want to face the music, the rest of South Africa has to face a locked-down festive season. (Photo by Jeff Pachoud/AFP)

Masterclasses in duck-and-dive

You didn’t need to be a genius or a prophet to predict that Bushiri would run or that Zuma would stall

Pastor Shepherd Bushiri (right) and his wife,
Mary Bushiri, are facing charges of fraud and money-laundering. (Emmanuel Croset/AFP)

Motsoaledi blames ‘porous’ and ‘rotten’ borders for Bushiris’ escape

Home affairs minister admits South Africa has weak borders, and that the Bushiris had 10 passports between them

Pastor Shepherd Bushiri (right) and his wife,
Mary Bushiri, are facing charges of fraud and money-laundering. (Emmanuel Croset/AFP)

In terms of future-telling failures, this is a Major One

Bushiri knows how to pull a crowd. Ace knows a ponzi scheme. Paddy Harper predicts that a new prophet may profit at Luthuli House

JM Busha insists he has not done anything wrong and that his company is the victim
of fabricated information. (Greg Reynolds Photography)

The pastor, the politician and the pension funds

The financial regulator has been criticised for handing back an asset manager’s licence so that workers’ money can be recovered

Digital word: Reverend Thembelani Jentile, who heads the Mamelodi Baptist Church, has been preaching over social media since the beginning of the lockdown. He is confient in the ability of his church to adapt to the new normal.  (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Churches are struggling in lockdown

‘You give us the word, we give you the money.’ Without tithes from congregations, churches find it difficult to pay salaries and do community work

Nothing to smile about: The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has provisionally suspended JM Busha’s company’s operating licence over ‘conduct issues’. (Alex Scott Lambley)

Municipal Workers Retirement Fund comes under scrutiny

Financial sector regulator turns its attention to fund’s board to probe its compliance with fiduciary duty requirements

JM Busha insists he has not done anything wrong and that his company is the victim
of fabricated information. (Greg Reynolds Photography)

Authorities put Busha deals on ice

After losing R60-million of municipal workers’ money in a VBS-linked investment scam, the asset manager also faces a legal wrangle in Eswatini