Shepherd Bushiri has appointed Advocate Barry Roux, to lead his defence in the Pretoria
Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday 06 February 2019.
"I can confirm that Barry Roux will lead the legal team.
He has been with us since day one", Terrence Baloyi, Bushiri's lawyer indicated.
Barry Roux comes with immense experience, having served as Oscar Pistorius' defence
advocate, in the Reeva Steenkamp murder trial in 2014.
According to the publication, Roux is expected to defend Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife,
Mary Bushiri, against charges of fraud and money-laundering.
The popular catch-phrase of Barry Roux,"I put it to you", became instantly recognisable
and the punch-line of many jokes and memes.
His fee for the Bushiris case is reportedly around R50 000 per day.
Barry Roux is a 63 year-old South African defence advocate, born on 08 August 1955,
at Mahikeng, South Africa.
Currently, he resides at Glen Marias, Kempton Park.
He had his university education at the University of South Africa.
The case against Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, was postponed to Wednesday
06 February 2019.
The postponement was granted for the defence lawyers to prepare for a better application.
They may apply for bail on Wednesday when they re-appear.
They were charged with alleged fraud and money laundering.
On Friday 01 February 2019, the couple were arrested by South Africa’s Directorate for
Priority Investigations, HAWKS, for alleged fraud and money laundering.
The HAWKS said that, the case against the couple was linked to alleged offences of fraud
and money laundering, as well as the contravention of South Africa’s Prevention of Organised
Crime Act, which had been committed in 2015.
The contravention of the Act was in relation to Exchange Control Regulations relating to
foreign currency of $1,147,200.
Last year, reports emerged that the Bushiris had been sending about R15 million per month
to Malawi, their home country.
The money was allegedly being transported in their private jet.
Bushiri's supporters, who address him as "The Major One", “Our Father", or “Papa”,
have vowed to boycott the upcoming elections in South Africa, if he and his wife are not
freed, and the charges dropped.
Many of the followers and supporters who showed solidarity for the Bushiris included Pastor
Mboro.
Also, the Black First Land First movement, BLF, has thrown its support behind Shepherd
Bushiri, who is facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
The organisation believes that, Bushiri is being targeted, because he is a successful
young black person, who has challenged the status quo in the religious space.
The BLF leader, Andile Mngxitama, says his fellow members will be in court on Wednesday
to support the Bushiris.
Thanks for watching.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe.