Bushiris deny any wrongdoing, confirm appeal against extradition from Malawi to SA
The pair will soon be appealing a ruling of a Malawi court that ordered their extradition to South Africa to stand trial following a request by the country.
Malawian preacher Shepherd Bushiri waves at sympathisers as he leaves the Lilongwe Magistrate court on 19 November 2020, after skipping bail in South Africa, and was arrested in Malawi. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Fugitives Shepherd and Mary Bushiri have denied any wrongdoing regarding the rape, fraud, and money laundering allegations levelled against them.
The pair will soon be appealing a ruling of a Malawi court that ordered their extradition to South Africa to stand trial.
ALSO READ: Bushiri has no intention of standing trial in SA, says spokesperson
The leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church has criticised South Africa's criminal justice system, claiming that the couple did not receive any fair treatment while in South Africa.
Despite this, they have not provided an indication that their operations have ceased.
Probed by Eyewitness News on the decision to establish a branch of the church in South Africa, Bushiri's spokesperson, Aubrey Kusakala, had this to say: “He could have gone to Tanzania, he could have gone to South Sudan, he could have gone to Zimbabwe, he could have gone anywhere else, but God took him to South Africa and there was a reason for that.
“Biblical examples of people like Moses, okay, leave Egypt and go to Canaan. It doesn't mean that when you go to that country, you won't face persecutions, you won't face problems.”
CLAIMS OF MALAWIAN GOVT ASSISTANCE DENIED
Claims that the self-proclaimed prophet and his wife skipped South Africa with the assistance of the Malawian government have been denied by the fugitives.
In 2020, the Bushiris fled the country while on bail facing various charges, including fraud and money laundering amounting to over R100 million.
However, the wheels have been set in motion for their return after the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Malawi ruled that the pair be extradited to South Africa on Wednesday.
Questions remain about the circumstances that led to the Bushiris' evasion not long after being granted bail as it's approaching five years since they fled South Africa.
Speculation was rife that the Malawian government aided their departure.
However, Kusakala dismissed the claims.
“That’s a blatant lie. That never happened. That would not happen. I think Malawian authorities, government authorities, would not do that. They respect the law and that they understand the independence of the courts, be it in Malawi, be it in South Africa. That never took place.”
The Bushiris were out on R200,000 bail before they skipped the country in 2020.