Senior officials of one of South Africa's largest political parties were fired after visiting the controversial Malawi pastor in April.

Floyd Shivambu was appointed Secretary General of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and completed his work in just six months after he attended Easter service that claimed to be the church of Shepherd Bushiri.

Mr. Bushiri, from Malawi, was one of the most famous missionaries in southern Africa when he was arrested in South Africa in 2020 and charged with fraud.

After being released on bail, he managed to escape to his homeland without knowing it. South Africa has been trying to extradite him ever since.

Mr. Bushiri denied any misconduct and worked with his wife Mary to review and approve the verdict for extradition to South Africa, according to the local news website Eyewitness News.

The MK Party, founded by former President Jacob Zuma, said at a press conference on Wednesday that Mr Shivambu's removal came after his actions were "found to violate the spirit and prescription of the MK Party's constitution."

MK President Nathi Nhleko said: "The president and state officials have no choice but to act quickly."

The trip was “not a formal approval plan for the organization,” he added.

However, Mr. Shivambu is still a member of the party, but rather a MK representing the National Assembly.

Mr Shivambu responded to the news of the demotion, saying he was "fully accepted" by the party's decision and looked forward to his new role in parliament.

Mr Shivambu joined the MK Party from his rival Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) last August and was later appointed Secretary General - one of the party's top positions.

Under former President Zuma, the newly formed MKK party ranked third in last year's election, a major factor in losing its majority since the 1994 Democratic election.

Mr. Shivambu was widely criticized in April when Mr. Bushiri shared the footage shared on X, which asked the self-proclaimed pastor to welcome South African politicians from hundreds of believers in his church of Jesus.

The politician also praised Mr. Bushiri's "excellent work" and "help us for us".

Mr. Bushri was a millionaire who built churches in several African countries.

He is accused of preying on the poor, eager to improve his life by selling goods including “Miracle Oil.”

People who claim to be prophets, claiming to have cured HIV have made blind insights change the fate of poverty, aired at least once.

Mr. Bushiri was also charged with rape. He and his wife denied any misconduct.

Senet Solomon, an analyst at South Africa's Free State University, said Mr. Simfenb was "expected" because of the negative publicity he received on his visit to Malawi.

She told the BBC: "However, as the party prepares to welcome its sixth secretary general in its second year of survival, it does raise questions and concerns about leadership retention and succession plans. These changes further exacerbate the focus on the stability of the party."

Mr. Shivambu has been the longest-serving Secretary-General of the MK Party since its founding in December 2023.

Ms. Solomon added that Shivamb's "leadership style" and "tension with other party leaders" were his contribution to the eventual collapse of the party.

The internal conflict between Mr Shivambu and some MK leaders played a role openly when Zuma's daughter Duduzile was forced to apologize after calling him "useless" and "the worst thing that MK has encountered" in an article on X earlier this year.

Ms. Solomon predicted: “It would be no surprise if he (Shivambu) announced that he left the party soon.”