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Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Frennie Shivambu, Gallo Images
- Shepherd and Mary Bushiri fled South Africa earlier this month, in violation of their bail conditions.
- The couple face fraud and money laundering charges in two separate cases.
- The Hawks and the NPA have until early next month to finalize a formal extradition request.
The Malawi state’s appeal of a lower court ruling that freed self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary will be heard on December 1.
Malawi’s Information Minister Gospel Kazako confirmed this to News24 on Tuesday afternoon.
Kazako previously told News24 that if the government was to present a comprehensive appeal argument, “it needs a full submission of all South African documents.”
It is not yet clear whether the government of Malawi has received the formal extradition request from the government of South Africa.
News24 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 last Thursday.
READ | Malawi prosecutors to appeal court ruling that led to Bushiris’ release
The couple were released after Magistrate Viva Nyimba in his ruling on Thursday determined, among other things, that the arrest of the wanted pastor and his wife was illegal as it was not channeled through the Ministry of National Security.
The couple appeared in court in Lilongwe after surrendering to the Malawi authorities.
This comes after Interpol issued a notice in Pretoria.
The couple fled South Africa to their homeland, breaking the conditions of their bail in a fraud and money laundering case before the Central Magistrates Court of Pretoria.
The Bushiri, along with their co-defendants, Landiwe Ntlokwana, Zethu Mudolo and Willie Mudolo, face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering in connection with an alleged investment plan in the amount of R102m.
This week, the Hawks asked the public for information about their escape.
Colonel Katlego Mogale said those with information could anonymously use the My SAPS app or the Crime Stop number 0800 10111.
“The information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.”
