By Burnett Munthali
The Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Lilongwe has ruled that Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, must be sent back to South Africa to face their charges.
The ruling marks a significant development in the long-running legal battle concerning the couple’s alleged criminal activities in South Africa.
Bushiri is set to face three charges of rape, as well as charges of forgery, fraud, and jumping bail.
His wife, Mary, also faces charges of fraud, forgery, and bail-jumping.
The court has ordered that the couple remain in custody until they are officially handed over to South African authorities.
However, some of the charges—including theft, money laundering, and racketeering—have been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
The decision to extradite the couple has sparked fresh legal arguments, with Bushiri’s lawyer, Wapona Kita, requesting the court to pause the extradition order.
Kita has also applied for bail on behalf of the couple, arguing that they should not be kept in custody while legal proceedings continue.
On the other hand, state lawyer Dziko Malunda has opposed the bail application, stating that if bail is granted, it should come with strict conditions.
Malunda has suggested that the couple should be required to pay a substantial amount of money, provide property guarantees, and have sureties who sign binding commitments.
The court has yet to make a ruling on the submissions from both the state and the defense.
The case has drawn significant public interest, with many closely following the legal proceedings and awaiting the court’s final decision.
If the extradition goes through, it will mark the end of Bushiri’s legal battle in Malawi and pave the way for his prosecution in South Africa.
