Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, have reaffirmed their refusal to return to South Africa to face trial.
On Wednesday, Malawi’s Chief Resident Magistrate Court ruled in favor of extraditing the Bushiris back to South Africa. However, this decision was immediately suspended for 30 days following an appeal by the couple.
The Bushiris, who fled South Africa in 2020, are facing serious charges including fraud, money laundering, and rape.
Speaking to Eyewitness News, Bushiri’s spokesperson, Aubrey Kusakala, expressed strong reservations about South Africa’s justice system, indicating this as the primary reason for their continued resistance.
When directly asked whether the Bushiris intend to stand trial in South Africa, Kusakala stated, “Yes, that’s why we have made an appeal because we don’t agree with that. How can we be in a country where you go to courts and there are no witnesses? These are the same police officers who arrested Prophet and Prophetess Bushiri who allegedly tried to extort R100 million from them.”
The charges against the Bushiris involve allegations of defrauding individuals of over R100 million.
