Bushiri: Extradition Hearing Postponed Following Request for Magistrate's Recusal
- Shepherd and Mary Bushiri's court case has been postponed after a change of magistrate
- The extradition hearing will allow for the Bushiris to return to SA to face the charges against them
- Their lawyers have stated that there is 'evident bias' as they have information about the new magistrate
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The extradition hearing for Shepherd and Mary Bushiri has been postponed to 15 March. This follows reports that the couple's lawyer made an application for recusal of the magistrate in the case.
Reports say that the self-proclaimed prophet's lawyer cited 'evident bias'. According to the Bushiris' lawyers, the magistrate had changed. Their lawyers reportedly have information that the new magistrate is the same person who issued the warrant of arrest for the Bushiris.
The warrant of arrest is reportedly being challenged in the High Court in Malawi. The couple's lawyers believe the magistrate should not handle their clients' case.
Source: Facebook
According to News24, their lawyer said they had been ready to proceed with the matter in court until they realised that the magistrate had changed. That is when they applied for the recusal of the magistrate.
SowetanLIVE reported that if the extradition application is granted, the couple will return to South Africa to face the charges of fraud, money laundering and theft against them.
Previously, Briefly.co.za reported that the Bushiris eight-year-old daughter had been granted permission by Malawian authorities to leave the country in order to receive medical treatment in Kenya.
Earlier this week it was reported that his daughter and mother-in-law were stopped by Malawian authorities at the Malawi international airport while they were trying to leave the country for Kenya, where the little one will be receiving treatment.
Not long thereafter, Bushiri's spokesperson revealed that the couple was taking the matter to court as it is the child's right to seek medical attention abroad should a qualified medical doctor deem it necessary.
This follows Malawi authorities issuing a warrant of arrest for Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri. The warrant comes very shortly after the Malawian authorities denied their daughter's trip to Kenya.
Bushiri's spokesperson Ephraim Nyondo said that authorities offered no explanation for the warrant or for denying their daughter travels to Kenya, apparently going there to seek medical attention.
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Source: Briefly News
