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The self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife face charges of money laundering, theft and fraud.
A Malawian magistrate released a self-proclaimed prophet and businessman, Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife Mary, saying that the arrest of the couple, who face charges of money laundering, robbery and fraud in South Africa, was illegal.
The move came Thursday when Chief Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba said the couple’s arrest in Malawi the day before was against the country’s laws and ordered the two to be released without bail “in the interests of justice.”
Bushiri, a pastor, has a large following on social media and a lifestyle that includes expensive clothes, mansions and sports cars. He claims to be able to cure HIV and blindness and promises to lift his followers out of poverty.
Malawian police arrested Bushiri after he broke bail in South Africa and fled to his home country. Bushiri has said that his life is in danger in South Africa and believes that he will not get a fair trial.
He and his wife were awaiting trial on charges of money laundering, theft and fraud in South Africa, but it emerged over the weekend that they had been smuggled out of the country to the Malawian capital Lilongwe, according to the BBC.
That prompted a South African court to issue two arrest warrants for Bushiri.
There has been a simmering diplomatic dispute between Malawi and South Africa over who was to blame for their escape.
“We are aware of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, but the rule of law must prevail,” Nyimba said.
South Africa’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said at a press conference Thursday that the National Prosecutor’s Office and the elite Hawks police unit were compiling a formal extradition request for the Bushiris and that the government hoped to present the extradition documents within two weeks.
“We are convinced that the Bushiris will return to South Africa to stand trial,” Lamola said.
Prior to their court appearance, supporters pushed and shoved into the courtroom, carrying banners urging the government not to extradite the couple.
Back in South Africa, the Bushiris lost their 5.5 million rand ($ 355,700) property after the couple violated their bail conditions.
The visibly relieved pastor walked out of court in Malawi’s administrative capital, Lilongwe, punching the air.
“We believe that justice is about to prevail,” he told reporters, adding that his life “is more precious than assets in South Africa.”
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