Bushiris file application in Malawi court to review judgment ordering their extradition to SA
JOHANNESBURG - Self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife, Mary, have filed a review application before the high court of Malawi of the judgment that ordered their extradition to South Africa.
In March this year, the chief resident magistrate in Lilongwe ordered that the couple be extradited following a request by South Africa.
They were arrested on a string of charges against them, including fraud and money laundering.
The controversial pair fled to their home country in 2020 after failing to comply with their bail conditions, leading to South Africa's extradition request.
In papers before the high court in Malawi, the controversial couple argued that the chief magistrate erred in law by breaching the fundamental principles of natural justice.
They argued that the chief magistrate delivered her final ruling on South Africa's extradition request without affording them an opportunity to defend themselves. This, they argued, was contrary to Malawi's constitution, the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Code and the Extradition Act.
This, the duo submitted, flew in the face of the audi alteram partem rule, which means listen to the other side.
They intend to argue that it would be unjust or oppressive to surrender them to South Africa.
EWN has learnt that the pair's review application may be heard in July.
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