uMkhonto weSizwe Party has distanced itself from the recent visit of its Secretary-General Flyod Shivambu where he met with fugitive self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri during Christians' Easter celebration event in Malawi.
MK Party has made it clear that Shivambu's visit to Malawi was done on a personal capacity not as representative of the party.
"The uMkhonto weSizwe Party('MK Party') wishes to categorically distance itself from the recent visit by our Secretary General to the Enlightened Christian Gathering(ECG) Church led by self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri in Malawi.
The Party wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this visit was not sanctioned,endorsed or initiated by the leadership or any official structure of the MK Party.The Secretary General undertook this visit in his personal capacity and without the mandate or knowledge of the Party,"said Nhlamulo Ndhlela,MK Party National Spokesperson.
The MK Party also clarified that it will never associated itself with any form of lawlessness and anyone who is running away from the law,and also disapprove anything that would distain the image of the organisation.
"The Umkhonto weSizwe Party upholds the rule of law and maintains a zero-tolerance stance on criminality in all its forms.When in an unprecedented case,President Zuma was sent to prison without trial under Roman-Dutch Law,he did not flee from justice but was incarcerated and served his time,even though it was a miscarriage of justice and a violation of his human rights.We remain firmly opposed to any association with individuals who are fugitives from justice.Our values are rooted in integrity,justice and accountability,and we reject any actions that compromise the reputation and ethical standing of our movement,"continued Ndhlela.
MK Party also took a stand against gender-based violence and exploitation of vulnerable churchgoers which is existing inside the places of worship across the country.
"Furthermore,the MK Party strongly condemns all forms of gender-based violence and the exploitation of vulnerable communities,especially innocent Christian believers,by individuals who manipulate faith for personal enrichment or to evade justice.Our Party stands with victims of such exploitation and will never align itself with those who use religion as a shield to defraud,abuse or mislead the public,"added Ndhlela.
We reiterate our commitment to ethical leadership and the principles of justice and we call on all members and representatives of the MK Party to act in a manner that reflects the highest standards of responsibility and accountability,Ndhlela concluded.
Shivambu wrote on his Facebook page where he was thanking Bushiri for hosting him and others in his church in Malawi,and also mentioned that he knows that people of Malawi praised Bushiri for his contribution in that country.
"Thank you my brother,Prophet Bushiri for hosting us and for the kind words.The government scale amount of work you do to economically,educationally,socially and spiritually uplift our people is unparalleled now and in history.
I know that the leadership and people of Malawi appreciate and cherish the so many massive programmes you do for the people on the ground.Continue doing the good work,"said Flyod Shivambu.
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri also thanked Shivambu for supporting him and also criticised those people who are jealousy of his achievement as a black individuals.
"Thrilled to have met Mr Flyod Shivambu!His philosophy of black people supporting each other resonated deeply.Kudos for championing pragmatic ideologies that can propel Africa forward.
"Sadly,some still peddle jealousy and negativity,labeling successful black individuals as 'corrupt' and 'must be investigated',while praising white individuals as 'investors'.That's not Pan-Africanism;that's jealousy.Let's move beyond politics of attrition.
And,bonus fact:after our chat,he even stopped by our church for a prayer session.I guess you could say he wanted to 'pray away' any political stress or ensure his prayers were 'politically correct'.Either way,his visit was a blessing,and we appreciate his willingness and humility to seek divine guidance,"said Prophet Bushiri on his Facebook page.