High Court rules on Bushiri extradition to South Africa

The High Court in Lilongwe has ruled that prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, should not be sent back to South Africa to face criminal charges.

In his ruling, Justice Mzonde Mvula said the lower court’s decision had legal flaws, arguing that the Bushiri’s were not given an opportunity to defend themselves after the State presented its evidence, thereby violating their right to a fair hearing.

Justice Mvula further said the lower court, which ordered the couple’s extradition to South Africa, failed to make appropriate findings based on the evidence presented, in line with Section 140 of the law governing criminal proceedings.

The ruling means the extradition proceedings cannot proceed unless the State appeals against the decision.

Meanwhile, the Bushiri’s have maintained that they left South Africa because of alleged abuse and a lack of justice in the manner in which the police and courts handled their cases.