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Mary Bushiri has two arrest warrants in South Africa, while Shepherd Bushiri has five, with additional warrants for three rape cases.
Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri greets supporters as he leaves Lilongwe Magistrates Court on November 19, 2020, after jumping bail in South Africa and being arrested in Malawi. Image: AFP
JOHANNESBURG – The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirmed on Friday that it had issued a formal extradition request to the Malawi government for Shepherd and Mary Bushiri.
The request was issued in accordance with the SADC extradition agreement, which includes South Africa and Malawi, and was sent through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
“As indicated above, the law provides that this extradition request be submitted within 30 days, however, this extradition request is submitted within a two-week period,” a statement from the Department of Justice reads and Correctional Services.
READ: ‘No mischief’: the government reiterates that it did not help the Bushiris flee from SA
Bushiri faces five arrest warrants in South Africa, while Mary has two. The leader of the Church of the Enlightened Christian Gathering faces additional arrest warrants for three rape cases. Church members accuse him of sexual harassment in 2018.
The couple fled to their home country, Malawi, in early November, in violation of their bail conditions in South Africa, where they are charged with fraud, theft and money laundering. The Bushiris’ 5.5 million rand Centurion mansion was seized from the state, but this has not deterred them or lowered their pockets as they continue to offer religious services to their legion of online fans.
“Given our strong and healthy diplomatic, strategic and political relationship, and our common citizenship of the SADC Community, we are convinced that the Republic of Malawi will honor the letter and spirit of every provision of its international and regional obligations,” he said. Justice and Correctional Services The Minister of Services, Ronald Lamola, through the statement.
ALSO READ: Bushiri Says Latest Arrest Warrants Are Part Of Plot To Chase Him
Two weeks ago, South Africa requested the provisional arrest of Bushiris in Malawi. But they turned themselves in to the Malawian authorities, which is different from their arrest. The provisional arrest was appealed by the couple.
“We are closely monitoring the appeal processes of the Malawi authorities,” the statement said.
How extradition should work
Meanwhile, lawyers with experience in extradition proceedings told Eyewitness News a week ago that it could take, on average, up to two years before the couple set foot on South African soil, especially if they refuse to stand trial here. The appeal process for extradition is within your rights.
READ: Successful Bushiris Extradition Could Take Years, Immigration Lawyers Warn
Here’s how an extradition process is supposed to work, according to experts:
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South Africa has to hand over an extradition package to the government of Malawi.
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It consists of two packages of documents: one to identify who the Bushiris are and the second a clear identification of the charges they face in South Africa.
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The charges must be clear so that the Malawi court can understand them.
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Then it is up to the Malawian government to ensure that justice is served in Malawi.
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An investigation in Malawi must decide if he is responsible for the extradition.
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You can appeal all of these processes.
But these are only the criminal aspects of the matter. The jurists cautioned that this issue was highly politicized and was expected to have many layers to the process.
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