File picture of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary in Joburg.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the ruling by the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Malawi, which ordered that self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, be extradited to South Africa.
At the time of their flight, the Bushiris, along with three others, faced a R102 million fraud and money laundering case - among other charges, including rape directed at the charismatic preacher. The Bushiris had appeared before different South African courts in 2020.
The couple was granted bail pending trial but failed to comply with their bail conditions and fled to Malawi under unknown circumstances. They later emerged in their home country of Malawi, where they have continued with their church services, attracting crowds from countries including South Africa.
After it became apparent that the Bushiris had fled to Malawi, the South African government submitted an extradition request to Lilongwe, seeking an extradition of the couple to face charges including, rape, violating bail conditions, contraventions of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, Banking Act, Civil Aviation Act, and Immigration Act.
File picture of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary in Joburg.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
On Wednesday, National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi said because of the appeal processes anticipated to be initiated by the Bushiris, the ruling by the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Malawi was not a victory but an important step.
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“I think it is really an important first step. It is not yet a victory because there are appeal processes … but a very, very important decision that has gone in the favour of extraditing Bushiri and his wife Mary to South Africa. I think this demonstrates that firstly the good cooperation between the two countries, but also demonstrates that as the National Prosecuting Authority we do have the skills and expertise to deal with extradition requests
“This hopefully builds confidence in the criminal justice system, the ability of the NPA to deal with extraditions. This follows on the heels of other successful extradition requests that the NPA has made.
National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
She highlighted the extradition of former Eskom contractor, Michael Lomas, last year.
In September, IOL reported that wheelchair-bound fugitive, Lomas, landed at the OR Tambo International Airport. The South African government, working with the SAPS, Interpol SA and other stakeholders extradited the former contractor at power utility Eskom, who was wanted in connection with the R745 million Kusile fraud and corruption case.
On his arrival in South Africa, the 77-year-old Lomas, who was arrested in London in 2021, was seen being escorted by SAPS members following his much-anticipated landing.
Last year, Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota also arrived in South Africa after being extradited from the United States.
The 37-year-old was implicated in fraud, money laundering and corruption pertaining to the R255 million Free State Asbestos roofing case.
who was arrested on fraud and corruption charges stemming from Eskom’s R745 million irregular contracts at Kusile power station.
Lomas was arrested in April 2021 and is one of five accused of the alleged crimes.
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jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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