Malawi’s attorney-general, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has signed extradition papers for self-acclaimed Prophet, Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife, Mary, following a request from South Africa.
Banda, who doubles as Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security, gave authority on Monday for the Malawi high court to issue a warrant of arrest for the Bushiris.
Bushiri and his wife, who are standing trial on charges of fraud and money laundering worth R100 million in South Africa, had jumped bail and fled into Malawi despite the seizure of their passports.
The South African government has been pushing for the extradition of the duo since they fled the country.
“The papers have been signed for the extradition of Mr and Mrs Bushiri and this afternoon [Monday] will be submitted to the Malawi high court for the issuing of the warrant of arrest. This means that if the court issues the warrant of arrest, the Bushiris will be arrested and extradited to South Africa,” said Malawi’s minister of information, Gospel Kazako.
Bushiri, who leads Enlightened Christian Gathering Church, said he had come back to Malawi to seek justice and protection, saying his life is in danger in the Rainbow nation.
He then accused the South African government of failing to assure them of their security.