Prophet Bushiri challenges MP over prophecy

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has challenged Dowa East Member of Parliament Jimmy Mannah, who last month sued him for defamation.

The lawsuit followed a prophecy by Bushiri that the MP impregnated a woman and forced her to abort.

According to an affidavit Bushiri filed in civil case number 333 of 2012, Bushiri says he will give prophetic evidence proving his claims on the relationship between the MP and Lilongwe-based Taonga Jamali.

“At the trial of this action, the 1st [Jamali] and 2nd [Bushiri] defendants shall provide further tangible and prophetic evidence of the plaintiff’s relationship with the 1st defendant, and of the plaintiff’s personal details to vindicate the truthfulness of the 2nd defendant’s prophetic utterances in relation to the plaintiff,’ reads the affidavit in part.

In the submission, Bushiri admits he prophesied that the MP impregnated Jamali, but says his prophecy was true and not defamatory or out of personal vendetta against the legislator.

“The 1st defendant [Jamali] was indeed in a steamy love relationship with the plaintiff who indeed impregnated her and prevailed upon her to abort after two months, which she did.

“In the cause of such love relationship, the plaintiff rented a house for the 1st defendant in Area 47, Lilongwe with the full knowledge of her friends and neighbours, who shall at the trial of this action be called as witnesses to the fact.

“She even at one point stayed in the plaintiff’s house at Area 23 that the plaintiff built himself, and she will at the trial of this action describe the house and its full features to show the truthfulness of her claims,” reads the affidavit dated August 21.

Bushiri further argues that he did not prophesy on Mannah to increase membership of his church but did so as part of his duties as a prophet.

“In [Jamali’s] interaction with the plaintiff, the plaintiff made it plain that he did not believe that the 2nd defendant [Bushiri] is a true prophet of God, and the plaintiff used to object to [Jamali’s] attending of the 2nd defendant’s prayers.

“…if indeed the plaintiff’s reputation has been damaged, it is because of the revelation of the truth, which is incapable of damaging the plaintiff’s reputation as the plaintiff cannot be entitled to any better reputation than he has himself battered by his own actions and omissions.”

Mannah complained to the court that Bushiri’s utterances were not true, adding the prophecy damaged his reputation as a politician, musician and businessperson.