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Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary (in red).
PHOTO: Frennie Shivambu, Gallo Images
- The state of Malawi will appeal the court ruling that led to the release of Bushiris.
- According to his lawyer, a magistrate determined that his arrests were illegal.
- The couple is wanted in South Africa in connection with a case of fraud and money laundering, for an amount of R102 million.
Malawian prosecutors will appeal a lower court ruling that led to the immediate release of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, Malawian Information Minister Gospel Kazako confirmed Friday.
“We are going to appeal the ruling, the state did not agree with the ruling of the first instance court. The director of the Prosecutor’s Office will go to appeal in the Superior Court,” he told News24 on Friday.
READ | Malawi court orders immediate release of Bushiri, lawyer says
The couple were released after Magistrate Viva Nyimba in his ruling Thursday said, among other things, that their arrests by the Malawi Police Service were illegal because they were not channeled through the Ministry of National Security, News24 reported.
Kazako added that in order for the documents to be archived, Malawi needed to receive all the necessary formal documents in full from the South African government.
Presentation of SA ‘provisional’
“The South African prosecutors, what they sent is only provisional. We have not received all the expected papers in their entirety.
“If the appeal is to be made in full, we need a full submission of all South African documents,” he added.
Bushiri’s lawyer in Malawi, Wapona Kita, told News24 on Thursday that he “had no information.”
READ | Bushiris are prohibited from using sermons to threaten witnesses as part of the conditions of bail for fraud
When asked about the alleged diplomatic status of the Bushiri and how that contrasts with the laws in Malawi, Kita replied: “Regarding the effect of their diplomatic status, we will wait and see when the time comes for the extradition hearing.”
News24 previously reported that the National Tax Authority (NPA) and the Hawks were given two weeks to finalize the formal extradition request, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said Thursday.
Facing charges
The Bushiri, Landiwe Ntlokwana, Zethu Mudolo and Willie Mudolo face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering in the amount of R102 million.
The couple reportedly arrived in Malawi last Wednesday and then made an announcement through various social media platforms on Saturday.
Bushiri said he did not feel safe in South Africa and feared that he would not receive a fair trial.
In addition, he also made various demands on the South African government, News24 reported.
This is a story in development.
