Chairperson of South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Tandi Mahambehlala on Tuesday appealed to Pretoria and Malawi not to let the Bushiri saga to affect their diplomatic and historical relations.
The lawmaker said this following the mysterious escape by evangelists Shepherd and Mary Bushiri of the Enlightened Gathering Congregation church who skipping bail last week for Malawi, their home country.
Mahambehlala said it was important for relevant officials in both jurisdictions in South Africa and Malawi to “resolve the matter expeditiously.”
“It cannot be appropriate for Mr. Bushiri to pit regional trade partners against each other,” Mahambehlala said.
Malawi and South Africa have historically strong bilateral and regional ties, both being members of the Southern African Development Community.
“The claims of xenophobia Mr. Bushiri made in seeking sympathy from his government are a concern, and could potentially compromise South Africa at a time when it should lead recovery of regional economies,” the lawmaker said.
The Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday issued a warrant of arrest for the couple after they contravened their bail conditions by leaving the country.
Following the escape, the Bushiris issued a statement that their lives were in danger, hence the decision to leave South Africa for the safety of their native Malawi.
They said they intended to return to Pretoria to attend trial once the South African government guaranteed them the holding of a free and fair hearing.
Meanwhile, local press reports said that the Bushiris left this country for Malawi using the popular northern Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe – an exit point known for its heavy traffic of travellers to and from South Africa.
The privately owned television network eNCA said the couple allegedly paid officials at the border post to secure their passage home – which is a common practice in corruption-hit South African officialdom, according to those who have had similar experience of crossing the Beit Bridge entry point without travel documents.
Soon after the Bushiris were granted bail last week, they sent their children home to Malawi – clearing the way for the couple’s “miracle escape,” the reports said on Tuesday.
NM/jn/APA