A court in Malawi ruled on Wednesday that self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, wanted in South Africa for rape, fraud, and forgery charges, may be extradited to face trial.
The South African government has been seeking the return of Bushiri and his wife since they fled the country in 2020 while on bail in a multi-million-dollar fraud and money laundering case.
The magistrate’s court determined that four out of the ten charges against Bushiri warrant his trial in South Africa, the Malawian justice ministry confirmed in a statement.
However, Bushiri’s defence lawyer, Wapona Kita, announced plans to appeal the ruling, saying, “We have been granted a stay order, and we will appeal at the High Court.”
Bushiri and his wife are accused of theft, fraud, and money laundering involving over 100 million rand ($5.5 million). The preacher also faces three separate rape charges.
Widely known for his influential church in Pretoria, Bushiri amassed significant wealth through donations from followers, as well as investments in mining, telecommunications, and luxury enterprises.
South African authorities welcomed the Malawian court’s ruling and vowed to oppose any appeal. “Today’s ruling is a significant milestone in international legal cooperation, demonstrating the strength of both countries’ judicial frameworks and diplomatic engagements,” South Africa’s justice ministry stated.
