Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary have appealed the Malawi court ruling granting their extradition to South Africa.
Earlier this month the Malawi Chief Resident Magistrate Court approved South Africa’s application to extradite the Bushiris.
The couple who led the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church (ECG) in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, was arrested in 2020 and granted bail of R200 000 each. South Africa filed an extradition request after Bushiri and his wife violated their bail conditions and fled to their native home, Malawi, under suspicious circumstances, considering that both their passports had been seized.
SHEPHERD BUSHIRI APPEALS RULING ON HIS EXTRADITION
As mentioned-above, South Africa submitted an extradition request to Malawi, seeking the return of the Bushiris to stand trial on various charges, including:
- Rape
- Violating bail conditions
- Contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act,
- Banking Act,
- Civil Aviation Act, and
- Immigration Act
According to eNCA, the Bushiris appealed the court ruling that approved their extradition citing a lack of faith in the South African justice system.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mamoloko Kubayi accused Shepherd Bushiri and his wife of yet another delaying tactic. However, Kubayi said they’re working very hard with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure that they are brought back to South Africa.
Kubayi told eNCA that every criminal will not want to face trial, and will want to walk away.
“The justice system in the country has stood the test of time. He went there, he wanted bail and was given bail which regrettably he violated. So, it is his own doing that he actually undermined the judicial system of South Africa and he should come back and face the music. If he has not done anything wrong why is he running away?,” Kubayi asked.
It’s unclear when the Bushiris can be expected in South Africa as it is not up to the country to dictate to Malawi how it should run its judicial system, Kubayi said.
“We have to allow them [court] and have faith because we have met the requirements…Eventually, what we’re asking for as the South African government is that he will have to come back into South Africa and face the music,” Kubayi said.
DO YOU THINK THE EXTRADITION OF SHEPHERD BUSHIRI AND HIS WIFE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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