After a 2015 clip of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri 'levitating' in the air resurfaced, Malawians on Twitter have disowned him, claiming that he is Nigerian. RT, formerly known as Russia Today, retweeted the clip, calling him an unnamed Nigerian pastor. Bushiri himself had shared the clip as evidence of his ability to walk in the air. He has also claimed to be able to command cars without engines to move and stretch human limbs. South Africans corrected RT's tweet, stating that Bushiri is, in fact, a Malawian pastor, and several Twitter users referred to charges of alleged fraud and money laundering against him and his wife. However, some Malawians on Twitter denied ever knowing Bushiri and supported RT's tweet, stating that he is Nigerian. Some Nigerians refrained from stealing the spotlight from Malawi, while others criticized RT's tweet for confusing Malawi with Nigeria. Prophet Uebert Angel, Bushiri's spiritual father, who hails from Zimbabwe, is also facing allegations of money laundering.
The resurfacing of the clip caused a stir on social media, with many users sharing their opinions on the controversial pastor. Some users expressed their disbelief in his alleged miracles, while others defended him and accused his critics of being jealous of his success.
However, it is worth noting that Bushiri and his wife fled South Africa in 2020 after being charged with fraud and money laundering. They were later arrested in Malawi and extradited back to South Africa to face trial. The case is ongoing, and Bushiri maintains his innocence.
In addition to his legal troubles, Bushiri has been the subject of several controversies over the years. In 2018, he was accused of plagiarizing the work of another pastor, and in 2019, he was criticized for selling "miracle products" such as anointed oil and holy water.
Despite the controversies, Bushiri has a large following and has been praised for his charitable work. He has also been invited to speak at several international conferences and events.
The resurfacing of the clip has once again brought Bushiri into the spotlight, and it remains to be seen how the ongoing legal case will affect his reputation and future endeavors.