Prophet bushiri and wife Mary Bushiri .(Courtesy Photo.)
By Male Marvin & News Agencies
A high court judge has ruled that all allegations leveled against South Africa-based leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECGC) Prophet Shepherd Bushiri are false, defamatory, libelous and lacking in fact.
According to The Mail and Telegraph, the ruling relates to series of articles published online by a self-run website called Malawi24, which Bushiri said damaged his reputation as a preacher, motivational speaker, author and businessperson, and exposed him to public ridicule.
Sitting in the capital of Malawi, the court ruled in favour of Bushiri, and ordered that the website, and its owners compensate the pastor for spreading lies with intent to damage his reputation.
The Mail and Telegraph has seen exclusive court documents, detailing the full ruling as well as the orders.
The judge, Honourable Justice Mbvundula, ordered Malawi24.com, Pearson Nkhoma, and Andrew Chilaponda to issue a full retraction on the website and on all social media pages associated with website.
The ruling was issued on the 07th of June, 2019 after no defense was filed.
Earlier speaking to media, ECG Church’s communications director and Bushiri’s spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo said it was not the wish of the church leader to fight news organisations but he is exercising his rights as a citizen to “protect himself, his ministry, his business and his family” from reckless attacks through false publications and social media abuse.
“Prophet Bushiri has suffered attacks, ridicule and gross misrepresentation online,” said Nyondo.
