Malawi’s High Court has blocked the extradition of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary to South Africa, overturning a March 2025 magistrate’s order and citing an unfair hearing.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, found that the lower court’s decision to surrender the Bushiris to South African authorities was “one-sided” and failed to adequately consider their right to be heard.
The couple had challenged the extradition on 14 grounds, including claims of procedural injustice.
South Africa had requested their extradition to face multiple criminal charges, including fraud and money laundering.
The Bushiris fled to Malawi in 2020 after being granted bail by South African courts and subsequently violating bail conditions.
Reacting to the ruling, South Africa’s Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said her government was reviewing the judgment and would determine its next legal steps.
“The minister reaffirmed that South Africa remains steadfast in pursuing all available legal avenues to ensure that justice is ultimately served,” her ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Kubayi also expressed confidence in the independence of both countries’ judicial systems and pledged continued collaboration to combat cross-border crime and uphold accountability.
JN/APA