During the previous administration under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led by Peter Mutharika, efforts by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri to distribute maize to hungry families were obstructed by DPP officials who suspected political motives behind his charitable actions.
Despite Bushiri’s assertions that his intentions were purely humanitarian and not political, DPP members persisted in associating his benevolent gestures with political ambitions. Now, with similar suspicions arising once again, Bushiri has firmly rebuked such insinuations, urging against politicizing his philanthropic endeavors.
Speaking in the heart of DPP territory in Thyolo District, where he was distributing maize to 1,200 households in Traditional Authority Mchilamwela, Bushiri reiterated that his actions were driven solely by a desire to alleviate suffering, emphasizing that he has no political aspirations.
He said: “Don’t associate my charitable works with politics. I am not a politician and I do not do politics. What I am doing is to serve the lives of people and it is because I put my country first.”
Bushiri who is the founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) of The Jesus Nation also disclosed that he has currently sent some trucks of maize to Karonga.
“As I am talking to you, we have sent some trucks of maize to Karonga District,” he said.
On his part, Thyolo Central legislator Ben Phiri thanked Bushiri for the kind gesture.
A beneficiary Esther Mtika, 75, from Andilepo Village said she has been sleeping on an empty stomach for three days.
“Today, I will taste nsima. This donation is a miracle to me,” she said.
The man of God through his EGC church is expected to distribute 17 000 metric tonnes of maize to benefit one million people across the country.
He has so far, distributed maize to Ntcheu, Lilongwe, and Thyolo districts.
