Malawian pastor buys $125,000 luxury car as birthday gift for 5-year-old daughter

South Africa-based Malawian preacher has bought a new Maserati Levante luxury car for his daughter who is turning five on Christmas day.

The controversial prophet Shepherd Bushiri on Wednesday shared photos of the gift on Instagram and Facebook with a moving message for his daughter Israella Bushiri.

“I always count myself blessed during this time of the year because I get the honor to celebrate, not only one but two God-given gifts in my life. I celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and also the birth of our first daughter, Israella Bushiri.

“It seems like just yesterday when her little palms held my forefinger. It seems like only a while ago when I celebrated that finally I could lift her up and allow her to rest on my shoulders. It’s been a joy and heavens honor to watch her grow from being a baby to being the strong and brave child that she is today. I count myself blessed because not only did she give me a reason to smile but she gave me the opportunity to be called a Dad.

“My sweet little daughter, my pride and joy. May God’s loving-kindness always shine on your beautiful face. I prophesy long life! You shall be great and yours shall be a life that heaven celebrates. Happy birthday my princess!” the wealthy self-named prophet wrote.

The pictures show the little girl posing with a brand-new car decorated with ribbons.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shepherd Bushiri (@shepherdbushiri)

The four-wheeled gift is estimated by South African auto news portal Wheels24 to cost around $125,760 in South Africa. This has sent chills down the spines of social media users who believe it is wrong especially when members of his church cannot afford a three-square meal a day.

Below are some of the reactions.

Church goers kids with their cars and Prophet Bushiri’s daughter with her car pic.twitter.com/aBNPNaVU2S

— The Instigator (@AmBlujay) December 21, 2017

It's mad crazy that people still give this man their money

— uMaNdaba uMhlungu ❤ (@Mpiloe_Cabeka) December 21, 2017

He must just add (Pty) Ltd after the church's name 😕

— Pop Marley 🗣 (@sveveni) December 21, 2017

stop hating, his a business man 😂😂

— Kurisani Mathonsi (@therealkurisani) December 22, 2017

If you are not part of the ministry you will never understand and make sound judgment in line with the Sons and Daughters. Either you in or leave the issues to the beholders

— Bravo (@MorapediLB) December 21, 2017

also take a good look at the reverend’s car and priests cars, also the president’s, and mp’s car, your friend’s goals also don’t forget your dream car: is there a difference?

— Ivan Baguma (@i_baguma) December 21, 2017

What I would like to know from Christians is that, if I were to cut off the middleman which is the church and donate straight to the poor will I be allowed in heaven? Most of these church’s do nothing for communities, in fact they don’t even help their own congregation people

— ukhanki (@TboozeSA) December 21, 2017

One of the reasons I get pissed at our people. Being plagued with problems doesnt mean give yourself up as offering so that a so called man of God can be rich. Sies.

— Gemini2923 (@Basanda_17) December 21, 2017

They will never understand you, they are fools.

— Johannes (@Johanne63801245) December 21, 2017

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com