Bushiri in court

Major Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has taken to court a Lilongwe-based businessperson Timothy Phiri for allegedly defaming him and failing to pay back K130 million.

In his claim, Bushiri says Phiri borrowed the money from him to venture into business.

Bushiri is claiming damages for conversion and for defamation and refund of K130 million.

The prophet is also claiming interest on the K130 million at the current bank lending rate.

According to a statement of claim filed in the High Court, Bushiri in August 2015 gave K130 million to Phiri to venture into a  business and later pay back the money.

However, he says he noted that Phiri was abusing the funds; hence, his decision to claim the money. Phiri is alleged to have refused to pay back the money and claimed that the prophet never gave him the said funds.

For stating that Bushiri never gave him money, the prophet claims defamation, arguing that he was being portrayed as a liar and that he is attempting to steal money from Phiri.

Reads Bushiri’s statement of claim: “When agents of the plaintiff [Bushiri] like Mr. A. Kayange requested the first defendant [Phiri] to pay back the money, the first defendant has been uttering such words as ‘I did not get any money for my business from any person, I do not owe any person any money’.

“In their natural and ordinary meaning, the words quoted above mean or are understood to mean that the plaintiff, by demanding money from the first  defendant, is lying that he gave money to the first defendant and the words in quotes further mean that the plaintiff is trying to steal from the first defendant, which is defamatory of the plaintiff.

“The plaintiff’s position is that the first defendant has converted the said amount of money to the defendant’s own use.

“Due to the first defendant’s conduct, the plaintiff has suffered conversion of his money and loss thereof; the plaintiff has also suffered defamation in that people around the plaintiff are now regarding him as a liar and as a person who intends to steal from the first defendant.”

Bushiri also got an injunction restraining Phiri from accessing money in his bank accounts until the court determines the matter. The accounts affected are those Phiri holds at Indebank, Capital City Branch in Lilongwe and at Nedbank Mzuzu Branch.

There was also an order to seize Phiri’s vehicles, including a truck, Toyota Fortuner, VW Golf, Toyota Prado and three Nissan Notes believed to have been bought using the prophet’s money.

However, the order to impound the vehicles was later waived after noting that they might deteriorate. But the vehicles are still attached to the case.

Bushiri’s lawyer George Kadzipatike yesterday said the prophet gave the money to Phiri in the presence of his (Phiri’s) wife to empower Phiri.

He said Bushiri has been empowering some Malawians and Phiri was one of the beneficiaries but he (Phiri) decided to play games.

When called for comment, Phiri said Bushiri is his spiritual father and he cannot comment on the issue, adding that he was yet to be informed on the court issue and was not aware that he was barred from accessing the accounts. n