By Vincent Gunde
Prophet Shephered Bushiri has instructed his legal team to institute legal proceedings against the former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr. Steven Kayuni in justice delayed took his daughter’s life but justice denied will not silence her memory.
Prophet Bushiri wants Dr. Kayuni to explain before a competent court which South African officials allegedly directed him not to allow his eight year- old daughter Israela travel from Malawi to Kenya for urgent medical treatment.
He says taking such an unlawful and inhumane action against an innocent child is contrary to the Republican Constitution and protected under international human rights law which stipulates that every child has the right to life and access to medical care.
Writing on his face book page, Prophet Bushiri said in 2021 at the height of the Civid-19 pandemic, his daughter- Israeli, was scheduled to travel from Malawi to Kenya for medical treatment, at that time, most hospitals in Malawi were overwhelmed and unable to provide the specialized care he desperately needed.
Prophet Bushiri said tragically, upon her arrival at Lilongwe International Airport (KIA) Dr. Steven Kayuni issued an injunction preventing his daughter from leaving the country on the claims that he received directives from officials within the South African government to act in that manner.
He said his daughter was in a fragile condition saying his legal team worked tirelessly to overturn the injunction and by the time the court granted permission for his daughter to travel to Kenya, it was too late, she had lost her life.
“This case is not only about my daughter – it is about defending every Malawian child from the abuse of power,” reads Bushiri’s writings on the wall.
He said the family accepted the pain and forgave Mr. Kayuni, however, forgiveness does not have accountability saying there are far as many individuals in authority who misuse their positions without consequence- this time, the law must speak.
Prophet Bushiri said he is deeply grateful to the many child rights organizations, legal practitioners, and human rights advocates who have come forward in solidarity for justice to prevail in the case against the death of his eight- year-old innocent daughter.
Dr. Steven Kayuni has become the first high ranking officer in the Chakwera’s led government to be sued by an individual person and next, will be Norman Paulosi Chisale up against him for the bad treatment that he accorded to him making his family and children suffering.
