Motsoaledi says Bushiris didn't escape with Malawi delegation
Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi has quashed rumours that pastor Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary, caught a ride to Malawi, with its presidential delegation.
Motsoaledi's explaining how the fugitive couple, who are out on bail, skipped the country. He's been briefing the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs this morning.
The Bushiris, who face charges of fraud and money laundering, were each granted R200 000 bail earlier this month. They also had to surrender their passports and report to a police station on Mondays and Fridays.
But alarm bells rang when they failed to do so four days ago.
That's also when Malawi's president came for an official visit. Motsoaledi says it was a coincidence the couple escaped on the day Lazarus Chakwera was here.
READ: Umalusi has back-up plan in wake of leaked matric paper
He says on Friday, police searched his presidential plane at the Waterkloof Air Force Base and OR Tambo International - where it landed to pick up more delegates.
"The same procedure was followed, Passports were matched with the photos and their faces of the members who were there and they went into the plane.
"But before the plane departed it was definitely searched for the second time. Having convinced themselves that there is no sign of the Bushiris, the plane was allowed to depart," he added.
