Govt starts extradition process for fraud accused Bushiri

Govt starts extradition process for fraud accused Bushiri

Government says it has already begun the process of extraditing self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary back to South Africa.

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and wife, Mary Bushiri.

 It has been forced to move after it emerged on Saturday that Bushiri and his wife Mary, who are both out on R200 000 bail, have fled the country for their native Malawi.


The pair were expected to stand trial for allegations of fraud, theft, and money laundering totalling some R100 million.


Government spokesperson Phumla Williams says the couple did not leave South Africa aboard President Lazarus Chakwera’s official airplane.


Chakwera was in South Africa for a working visit on Thursday and Friday, leading to speculation that he might have played a role in the Bushiris’ escape.


"President Chakwera undertook a successful working visit to South Africa on Friday, during which South Africa and Malawi discussed a broad range of initiatives to strengthen relations between the governments and peoples of the two countries.


“Following the visit, President Chakwera and his delegation departed from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria and stopped over at OR Tambo International Airport to collect an additional number of officials who had travelled to South Africa earlier to prepare for the working visit.”


LISTEN TO PHUMLA WILLIAMS HERE:

She says immigration officials from the Department of Home Affairs verified the identities of all passengers and the Bushiris were not on board the flight.


"When travellers are processed for departure, they are required to present themselves to an immigration officer who, among other checks, verifies that the passport belongs to the traveller.


“To ensure that the two fugitives face justice, South Africa has initiated a process to secure their extradition from Malawi in terms of the Southern African Development Community Protocol on Extradition and other legal instruments, to which Malawi is a signatory,"


Williams says government hopes for a speedy process in order for Bushiri to come and face the full might of the law.


"While this process is underway, law-enforcement agencies will continue investigations into this matter.

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