Bushiri Extradition: South African Witnesses Ordered to Travel to Malawi to Testify in Case

• South African witnesses in Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s extradition case will have to appear in a Malawi court
• Bushiri and his wife, Mary, filed an application to appeal an earlier decision and Judge Bruno Kalemba ruled in their favour
• The self-proclaimed prophet welcomed the ruling and said he is waiting to meet the South African witnesses

LILONGWE - A high court in Malawi has ordered South African witnesses in Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s extradition case to testify in the country.

The legal win for the most wanted fugitive came after Bushiri and his wife, Mary, applied to appeal an earlier ruling by Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza that allowed the witnesses to give evidence while in South Africa.

Judge Bruno Kalemba delivered his ruling on the application on Monday, 13 February. He asked the state to make arrangements for the South African witnesses to testify in Malawi.

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Bushiri’s lawyer, Wapona Kita, said he was satisfied with the ruling. According to the Daily Sun, he added that they are awaiting a date for the continuation of the case.

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri welcomes court ruling

Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed prophet expressed delight and said the judgement was a “milestone victory” in the case. He said he is looking forward to meeting the witnesses in court.

According to Malawi24, Bushiri also thanked his supporters and encouraged them to continue praying. After being granted bail, the pair fled to Malawi in 2020 and are facing numerous charges related to fraud and money laundering.

Bushiri extradition: Justice Minister Ronald Lamola says the department is awaiting a Malawian court decision

Briefly News also reported that Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola said the extradition process of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri is underway. The minister briefed the media on the court process and said the department is awaiting a decision from a Malawian court.

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Bushiri and his wife, Mary, were arrested in 2020 in connection with fraud and money laundering amounting to over R100 million. The pair fled to Malawi a month after their initial arrest, just days after they were granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Lamola said Bushiri’s official name is Shipililu Gama. He said that the matter is being ventilated in Malawi court and the department is awaiting the outcome. The minister said the documents regarding the matter are all in order. Lamola added that there is cooperation between South Africa and Malawi.

Source: Briefly News