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Rebecca Malope claps back: 'I don't know Bushiri'

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'.
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The unintended effects of valorising rangers Minister George, your public utterances consistently portray rangers as brave, dedicated individuals fighting a noble cause. For many rangers, this rings true, but again, there is more to the story. A recent study chronicles the hidden costs of framing conservation efforts, specifically the fight against poaching, as a 'war'. While it might seem intuitive to idealise rangers as 'soldiers' on the front lines, endowing them with a heroic mantle, this approach can unexpectedly backfire in ways that undermine the very cause it intends to champion. The constant public pressure on protected area managers and rangers to produce a quick and decisive 'victory', the sheer relentlessness of their struggle, and the constant exposure to fatigue, violence and trauma, has bred disillusionment and dark cynicism. As a result, frontline conservationists experience a profound loss of perspective that narrows their focus to mere 'survival mode'. The 'war' mentality has led to wide-scale burnout and a fixation on enforcing the law. Protected area managers lose sight of broader conservation goals and the possibility of alternative solutions. Crucially, casting rangers as heroes and poachers as villains is a binary and limiting framing that distracts us from tackling the complex social, economic and political drivers of poaching. Simon Sinek's Infinite Game approach offers a helpful alternative that can motivate rangers by shifting their perspective from a finite 'war' to a more fulfilling and sustainable practice. This involves reframing their purpose and meaning by focusing on a just cause that goes beyond solely defeating poachers. Additionally, promoting resilience helps rangers adapt to changing circumstances and view setbacks not as lost battles, but as opportunities for learning. Towards conviviality Convivial conservation is a global movement aimed at transforming conservation practices and policies. Drawing on the concept of 'conviviality', it emphasises inclusivity, reciprocity and fairness. It champions a move away from exclusionary and coercive approaches towards more collaborative strategies co-developed between diverse actors and sectors. Minister, please consider how such an approach could help us rethink the 'rhino war', so we can: Tell better, more nuanced stories: we need to recognise and communicate the complexities surrounding wildlife crime if we are going to collectively imagine a more sophisticated response to it. Direct resources not just at law enforcement but also towards initiatives that address poaching's root causes: no animal or asset in any reserve will ever be safe if they are surrounded by socioeconomic deprivation, inequality, corruption, and organised criminal networks. Bolster good governance on 'this' and 'that' side of the fence: local communities, municipalities, businesses, traditional authorities, and both park and law enforcement agencies need to view each other as neighbours in a shared landscape, with shared challenges and interests. The Integrated Wildlife Zones initiative is a positive step in that direction. Promote a more supportive and equitable work environment for rangers: we need realistic societal expectations about what rangers can achieve in the face of transnational criminal networks. In addition, rangers need better pay, decent housing, sufficient training and equipment, and culturally appropriate psychosocial support. Minister George, declaring more wars will not save our threatened biodiversity. Valorising field rangers and having them bear the brunt of South Africa's governance failures — and leaving them to endure the emotional and physical scars — is not sufficient. Let us expand our strategies beyond combative reactions to swiftly and fairly tackle organised crime and governance challenges for the benefit of wildlife, their guardians, and the millions of people living on the fringes of protected areas. DM Dr Lindie Botha is a social scientist working to mitigate the negative impacts of wildlife crime on biodiversity and people. Alastair Nelson leads Conservation Synergies, a non-profit that supports governments and their partners to use approaches from other fields to solve complex problems and improve conservation impact. Eldred de Klerk is a comparative policing and social conflict specialist who focuses on conflict resolution, violence prevention, rule of law and security sector reform.

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