South Africa’s government says it is carefully studying the Malawian High Court’s decision to block the extradition of controversial prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, describing the ruling as a setback but not the end of the legal process.
Justice Mzonde Mvula of the Malawian High Court overturned a lower court’s March 2025 decision that had approved the couple’s extradition to South Africa to face charges of fraud, money laundering, and rape linked to a R102-million investment scheme.
The High Court found that the original extradition hearing violated the Bushiris’ constitutional rights and relied on inadmissible hearsay evidence. It also cited concerns for their safety, noting previous threats to their lives.
In a statement, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was “studying the judgment in detail” and would determine appropriate next steps.
“South Africa remains committed to pursuing all available legal avenues to ensure that justice is ultimately served,” Kubayi said.
The ruling marks a major twist in a case that has tested relations between Pretoria and Lilongwe since the Bushiris fled South Africa in 2020 while out on bail.
Government sources say a new extradition application or appeal could still be considered once legal consultations are complete.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
