<p>Controversial millionaire preacher Shepherd Bushiri, out on bail in South Africa in a case of alleged fraud and money laundering, has fled to his native Malawi, a statement said Saturday.</p>.<p>The self-proclaimed prophet is known for his "miracles" and wildly extravagant lifestyle and has made huge investments in the mining, telecommunications and luxury sectors.</p>.<p>He was arrested for alleged fraud and money laundering in October in a multi-million-dollar case but got bail on November.</p>.<p>His wealth comes from donations from followers of his Enlightened Christian Gathering church in the South African capital Pretoria.</p>.<p>Bushiri and his wife Grace were granted bail on condition that they would confine themselves to South Africa's Gauteng province.</p>.<p>Bushiri said he had fled South Africa as he feared for his life.</p>.<p>"There have been clear and evident attempts to have myself, my wife and my family killed and... there has never been state protection," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Our coming to Malawi, hence, is a tactical withdrawal from the Republic of South Africa solely meant to preserve our lives," he said.</p>.<p>"We have to be alive to testify."</p>.<p>There had been allegations that Bushiri fled South Africa with Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera, who was on a two-day official visit to South Africa and returned on Saturday.</p>.<p>But Chakwera's spokesman Brian Banda said the priest was not on the presidential jet.</p>.<p>"The allegation that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri came on the same flight with the president is false," he said.</p>
<p>Controversial millionaire preacher Shepherd Bushiri, out on bail in South Africa in a case of alleged fraud and money laundering, has fled to his native Malawi, a statement said Saturday.</p>.<p>The self-proclaimed prophet is known for his "miracles" and wildly extravagant lifestyle and has made huge investments in the mining, telecommunications and luxury sectors.</p>.<p>He was arrested for alleged fraud and money laundering in October in a multi-million-dollar case but got bail on November.</p>.<p>His wealth comes from donations from followers of his Enlightened Christian Gathering church in the South African capital Pretoria.</p>.<p>Bushiri and his wife Grace were granted bail on condition that they would confine themselves to South Africa's Gauteng province.</p>.<p>Bushiri said he had fled South Africa as he feared for his life.</p>.<p>"There have been clear and evident attempts to have myself, my wife and my family killed and... there has never been state protection," he said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Our coming to Malawi, hence, is a tactical withdrawal from the Republic of South Africa solely meant to preserve our lives," he said.</p>.<p>"We have to be alive to testify."</p>.<p>There had been allegations that Bushiri fled South Africa with Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera, who was on a two-day official visit to South Africa and returned on Saturday.</p>.<p>But Chakwera's spokesman Brian Banda said the priest was not on the presidential jet.</p>.<p>"The allegation that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri came on the same flight with the president is false," he said.</p>