Bushiri And Wife Appeal Extradition To South Africa Court Order

Shepherd Bushiri, self-proclaimed prophet and his wife, Mary Bushiri, remain entangled in a legal battle to avoid extradition to South Africa, where they face multiple criminal charges, including rape, fraud, and violating bail conditions. Despite a Malawian court ruling in favor of their extradition, the couple insists they have no intention of returning to South Africa to face the law, citing a lack of trust in the country’s justice system.

South Africa’s Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has accused the Bushiris of employing delaying tactics and maintains that the government will not back down in its pursuit of justice.

By Gamuchirai Mapako

Shepherd Bushiri, a controversial televangelist who leads the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church, and his wife Mary were arrested in South Africa in 2020 on charges including fraud, money laundering, and violating the country’s financial and immigration laws. The couple was granted bail of R200,000 each but fled to Malawi, Bushiri’s home country days after their release.

Their abrupt departure led to an international legal battle, with South African authorities seeking their extradition to stand trial. The Malawian High Court recently ruled that the extradition could proceed, but the Bushiris are contesting the decision, further prolonging the legal process.

Bushiri and his wife are accused of running a Ponzi scheme under the guise of church investments, defrauding followers of millions of rands. Separate charges allege that Bushiri sexually assaulted a woman who was a member of his church and their flight to Malawi while on bail has added to their legal troubles.
The couple also allegedly used fraudulent documents to obtain South African residency permits.

Despite the charges, the Bushiris have consistently proclaimed their innocence.

However, Mmamoloko Kubayi, minister of Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa has dismissed these claims, arguing that the Bushiris are attempting to evade accountability.

Minister Kubayi has made it clear that the South African government will continue to push for the Bushiris’ extradition. She criticized their legal maneuvers as deliberate attempts to delay justice.

“Every criminal will not want to face trial, will want to walk away. The justice system in the country had stood the test of time. He went there, he wanted bail and was given bail which regrettably he violated. So, it is his own doing that he actually undermined the judicial system of South Africa and he should come and face the music. If he has not done anything wrong why is he running away?,” Kubayi explained.

Her remarks underscore the government’s determination to ensure that the Bushiris answer to the charges in a South African court.

If their appeal fails, INTERPOL and the SAPS will then coordinate their return to South Africa.