South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the ruling by the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Malawi, which ordered that self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, be extradited to South Africa.
At the time of their flight, the Bushiris, along with three others, faced a R102 million fraud and money laundering case – among other charges, including rape directed at the charismatic preacher. The Bushiris had appeared before different South African courts in 2020.
The couple was granted bail pending trial but failed to comply with their bail conditions and fled to Malawi under unknown circumstances. They later emerged in their home country of Malawi, where they have continued with their church services, attracting crowds from countries including South Africa.
After it became apparent that the Bushiris had fled to Malawi, the South African government submitted an extradition request to Lilongwe, seeking an extradition of the couple to face charges including, rape, violating bail conditions, contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Banking Act, Civil Aviation Act, and Immigration Act.
On Wednesday, National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi said because of the appeal processes anticipated to be initiated by the Bushiris, the ruling by the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Malawi was not a victory but an important step.
