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Bushiri during a church service
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says they are waiting for the High Court in Malawi to rule on the extradition judgment against self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Bushiri and his wife, Mary, were granted leave to appeal the extradition judgment that was granted in favour of South Africa by a court in Malawi last month.
Bushiri was declared a fugitive after he fled to Malawi in November 2020, shortly after being granted R200 000 bail along with his wife. He faces charges including rape and fraud. His extradition has drawn renewed public attention following a recent visit by MK Party Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu to Malawi where he met Bushiri.
“We have won the court case through the NPA as South Africa, for him to be extradited,” said Kubayi. “He has cases to answer in South Africa. Though they limited it to three charges, they believe that a case has been made for him to come and answer. That will be dealt with in South African courts when he arrives.”
Kubayi added that after the court ruling, Bushiri appealed to the High Court, which granted him leave to appeal.
“That is where we are now. All we are saying is that he must come and face the charges. He was out on bail and ran away from court proceedings that he needed to be subjected to.”
Kubayi also noted that Bushiri faces additional charges related to fleeing the country after being ordered to surrender his passport.
“The court granted him bail on the basis that he would not leave the country. They took his passport. The matter of his escape is another subject matter. So, he is not only facing the initial charges, but also must answer how he managed to flee, who helped him, and under what circumstances given he and his wife had no passports.”
WATCH | Justice Ministry notes Shivambu’s visit to fugitive Bushiri with grave concern
