Rebecca Malope claps back: 'I don't know Bushiri'
Rebecca Malope has distanced herself from 'false accusations' that she performed for fugitive Shepherd Bushiri.
This, after the wanted prophet posted a clip of her singing on stage beside him over the Easter weekend.
The clip comes after MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu visited Bushiri in Malawi, where the latter has sought refuge from South African authorities.
Over the weekend, Shepherd Bushiri posted a clip of gospel star Rebecca Malope on his X account. The criminally accused prophet suggested that the singer had visited his Easter weekend service at his Enlightened Christian Gathering Church in Lilongwe, Malawi.
In the clip, Malope and the controversial prophet were seen singing and dancing on stage.
However, Malope has rubbished the insinuation or affiliation to Bushiri.
She told Timeslive that the clip was taken during a concert performance in Malawi. The event was booked by a promoter and not Bushiri's church.
She said, 'When he entered, I heard the crowd make a lot of noise, and they said it's Bushiri.
'I had heard that he's a big fan, so when I was on stage, I saw him sitting in front. I could not ignore someone who came to my concert to support me, and I thanked him for his support. I was even amazed that he was there.
She continued: 'I have never been to his church in South Africa or in Malawi, I don't even know what it looks like. He's invited me so many times, but I always have my own excuse because I know where I stand with God.'
Rebecca Malope also clapped back at the public, who called for her music to be boycotted.
'People must stop insulting me now. I don't even know Bushiri. I don't care about people lying, but they must just not insult me.'
In 2020, Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary fled South Africa to their home country in Malawi, after the former was placed on bail. This is amid rape, fraud and money laundering charges following his arrest shortly before.
In Malawi, the prophet was arrested in response to an Interpol red notice. However, a court later ruled that his arrest was unlawful and he was arrested.
Last month, a Malawi court ruled in favour of a request to extradite Bushiri and his wife to SA, however the couple were granted permission to appeal. The case is now before Malawi's High Court, where a final decision will be made.
According to the South African Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, authorities have 'enough evidence for Bushiri to face trial in the country'.
She told the SABC: 'We have won the case through the NPA for his extradition. He still has charges to answer in SA. While the charges have been narrowed down to three, we strongly believe he needs to return and face justice'.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
25 minutes ago
- The South African
Influencer facing animal charges after mocking SPCA's dog rescue
The influencer whose TikTok video featured an emaciated dog is facing animal cruelty charges from the SPCA. Johannesburg content creator Sasha Tshiamo is accused of mocking the NGO's plight to rescue the animal, who has been affectionately nicknamed 'Bobby.' This week, a starving Bobby was rescued and removed from her home by investigators after South Africans – and the SPCA – were moved by her shocking living conditions. She is now on the path to recovery. According to reports, influencer Sasha Tshiamo has been accused of mocking the dog featured in her viral TikTok video. The content creator also made light of a national search and reward for the dog's location. Under her posts, Sasha laughed off comments calling for 'Justice for Bobby.' She also reposted a skit from another content creator who was amused by the viral incident. 'Now, she will be facing charges in terms of the Animal Protection Act, while Bobby walked out victorious against her cruelty,' the SPCA told the media. In a follow-up TikTok video, Sasha claimed that Bobby is not her dog, and 'not my responsibility'. She also claimed that social media users had 'done me dirty' in their criticism of her. The dog's owners will also face animal cruelty charges. @ ♬ original sound – ayeecannytmalume While TikTok claims that the dog did not belong to her and was hence not her 'responsibility,' others have claimed that this is a poor excuse. @tashiri_g: 'This is not a defence, it's a deflection from the fact that you did not care to help or report her abuse'. @myrnalouw: 'How can you dance while a dog is starving in the background…sies!' @duckduckgoose: 'It doesn't have to be your dog in order for you to show human decency and kindness '. @ I'm not the owner please. ♬ original sound – It can't be Sasha Meanwhile, the SPCA shared the heartbreaking story of Bobby's rescue. In a social media post, a member of the Special Projects Unit was able to remove Bobby from her home. The post read: 'She is the most lovable dog, handing out kisses to everyone since the moment she arrived! Forced to eat plastic to survive, Bobby was found severely malnourished, suffering from fly strike, and covered in ticks and fleas'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSPCA (@ The good news is that Bobby is now in safe hands and will be well-fed. The SPCA continued: 'She's on a long road to recovery, but once healthy, she'll be sterilised and available to the loving and caring home she deserves'. DO YOU BELIEVE THE CONTENT CREATOR DESERVED TO FACE ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES? Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
IOL News
31 minutes ago
- IOL News
June 16: A legacy of struggle, a prosperous future unfulfilled
Township residents and schoolchildren re-enact the 1976 Soweto uprising. Image: Picture: AP Given the brunt of poverty, inequality and unemployment that young people perpetually face in this country, it is legitimate to ask what it is that we are expecting an increasingly impoverished and disenfranchised youth to celebrate this Youth Month. Are we merely paying lip service to the legacy of the class of '76, or are we genuinely committed to addressing the systemic challenges that young people are currently facing? As we commemorate the sacrifices of the class of '76, we must equally ask ourselves: What are WE celebrating? Is it merely the bravery of the past, or are we also acknowledging the failures of the present? It's been 49 years since the brave students of 1976 stood up against the apartheid regime's attempt to impose Afrikaans as the language of instruction in black schools. Their determination and sacrifice sparked a national movement that would change the course of South African history. As Seth Mazibuko, one of the courageous committee members who coordinated the June 16 uprising so eloquently, puts it, in a reflective conversation, 'The memory of the moment of the 16th of June 1976 forever sits in my heart and my mind. It felt like an awakening of a generation. ''A moment in history where, regardless of gender, age, geography, and ethnicity, the mission was one: To say enough! to injustice, segregation and indignity in both the education system at the time as well as society at large. 'We were very organised, and what most people may not be aware of was that this day was secretly well planned in a very short space of time to reach thousands of students across the country. While we knew that this was a cause much bigger than ourselves, we were determined to no longer put up with the oppression which our parents seemed too demoralised to do anything about.' 'What is now heartbreaking to witness in 2025 is how many of the struggles we fought for, which claimed thousands of lives, still plague today's youth. How is this possible?' The students' fight was not solely about language, but very much about equality and human rights. Thousands lost their lives in the ensuing violence, but their legacy lives on. Yet, as stated by Mr Mazibuko, despite the progress we've made as a nation, many of the same struggles that were hard fought for continue to persist. To this day, South Africa's youth face unprecedented challenges, and the numbers are stark. According to the Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey, in the first quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15-34 stood at 46.2% overall, with a staggering 62.4% for those aged 15-24. The Not in Employment, Education, and Training (NEET) trajectory is a particular concern. Of the 10.3 million young people aged 15-24 years in Q1 of 2025, 37.1% of this number fell into this category. This translates to a significant portion of our youth being disconnected from opportunities that could help them build a better future. It is important to note that these alarming figures are more than just statistics; they represent a lost generation of young people who are being left behind. Without access to the prerequisite knowledge, skills and platforms necessary to develop their capacities, young people are more likely to fall prey to poverty, crime, and social unrest. Thereby signalling the alarm bells of a country in crisis. Our education system also finds itself in a critical juncture. Of the learners who start Grade 1, around 40% will drop out before they complete matric. This contributes to the year-on-year increase in the NEET cluster, with dire long-term consequences for our economy and individuals directly affected by it. It goes without saying that as individuals get older, their prospects for development diminish, and their fullest potential remains unfulfilled. Tebogo Suping is a sustainable development specialist with extensive experience in leading national and regional youth empowerment, governance and civic education programmes. Image: Supplied In addition, the cycle of poverty, inequality, and unemployment continues to burden our youth. Many are disillusioned, and their potential is being wasted. Our prisons are filling up with young people, primarily black and male, who are either perpetrators or once victims of violent crime themselves. These are no doubt symptoms of a failing state that is unequivocally failing its youth, and the list of these countless socio-economic disparities goes on and on, begging the critical question of what kind of future we are building for our young people This is because while our government claims to stand for non-racist, non-sexist and democratic ideals, the reality on the ground tells a much different story, and to turn this tide, we need a multifaceted approach that prioritises government accountability and transparency. How might we solve these pressing issues? Rooting out state corruption is essential to ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to address the growing challenges faced by our youth. This includes implementing targeted interventions that provide education, training, and decent work tailored to the needs of young people. Moreover, collaboration and partnership are crucial between the government, civil society, and the private sector to provide mentorship, skills development, and meaningful job opportunities that can help young people build a better future. By investing in our youth, we can unlock their potential and create a more prosperous and equitable society.
The South African
40 minutes ago
- The South African
Man sentenced to 222 years for rape and robbery
Notorious rapist and sexual offender, Lesley Morwamashobe Mohlala, has been handed a heavy sentence of 222 years imprisonment for rape and robbery. Mohlala has long terrorised communities across Nebo and Hlogotlou policing areas in Sekhukhune District. In the areas, he targeted government buildings, clinics, traffic stations, public works offices and various other public facilities. In March 2018, the 33-year-old Mohlala was arrested at Hlogotlou SAPS for rape and his bail application was rejected. A few months down the line, in October in the same year, Mohlala escaped from lawful custody while being transported to Witbank Prison. During his escape, Mohlala committed various crimes, including robbing security officers of their firearms and cell phones and stealing money and valuables from other victims. In April 2023, he was re-arrested by the Nebo Jane Furse tracking team at a Jane Furse hiding place and charged with eight robberies. Additionally, DNA evidence linked him to 2 additional rape cases that occurred while he was an unknown suspect. The Polokwane High Court found Mohlala guilty on 23 counts and sentenced him to a total of 222 years' imprisonment. 'The court ordered that 10 years imprisonment on count 1 does not run concurrently with counts 2 to 25, with a minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment on counts 2 to 25,' read the police statement. The police arrested a 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man for allegedly abusing their two daughters, aged two and eight, in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape, on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. According to Arrive Alive, the suspects are facing multiple charges which include child pornography, rape, sexual assault, and sexual grooming. A multidisciplinary team comprising members of the National and Western Cape Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Units, officials from the Department of Social Development (DSD), supported by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), located the suspects at a residence identified through joint investigative efforts. The two victims were rescued and placed in a place of safety. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
