Bushiri Hit With Huge Tax
4 June 2024
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SARS Slaps Shepherd Bushiri’s Christian Channel with R100-Million Tax Bill

By A Correspondent | In a dramatic turn of events, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a staggering tax bill exceeding R100-million to the popular Christian channel owned by the controversial cleric Shepherd Bushiri. This revelation came to light when SARS sought a judgment against the channel in the Johannesburg High Court last week.

Bushiri, often enveloped in controversy, has built a significant following through his Christian non-denominational church, the Enlightened Christian Gathering, headquartered in Pretoria. Known for his extravagant claims and purported miracles, including a notorious video where he appeared to walk in the air, Bushiri’s public persona has been as polarizing as it is compelling. His former public relations manager has since disclosed that many of these miracles were staged to attract media attention.

The Christian channel, a significant arm of Bushiri’s media empire, is now facing severe scrutiny from the tax authorities. This development casts a shadow over the cleric’s vast business operations, which span multiple sectors including forex trading, real estate, and the airline industry under the umbrella of Shepherd Bushiri Investments. This company has already been mired in allegations of fraud and money laundering, with numerous assets seized following the collapse of a Ponzi scheme that defrauded pensioners.

Bushiri’s expansive business interests are not confined to South Africa. His enterprises reach across continents, with lawsuits and fraud charges even emerging in the United States. Despite these challenges, Bushiri’s influence remains significant, with his church drawing thousands daily, promoting a message that “God cares and loves people and wants to speak directly to them.”

The R100-million tax bill is a significant blow to Bushiri’s operations. It underscores the financial and legal pressures facing his organization, further complicated by his intricate network of businesses, including a television channel, a telecommunications company, farms, properties, sports academies, and universities.

Bushiri’s rise to prominence and wealth has been rapid and controversial, marked by innovative but questionable business practices. At 41, he has managed to accumulate considerable riches, ostensibly to support his community and global gospel work. However, the latest actions by SARS highlight ongoing concerns about the legitimacy of his financial dealings and their compliance with South African tax laws.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of Bushiri’s Christian channel and broader business empire remains uncertain.