The High Court of Malawi will today convene in Lilongwe to start hearing applications filed by the defence in an extradition case of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.
The application follows the ruling last month by High Court Judge Madalitso Chimwaza, sitting as chief resident magistrate, approving the couple’s extradition to South Africa where they are accused of several offences.
court appearance. | Nation
In an interview yesterday, one of the defence lawyers Wapona Kita confirmed that they filed two applications of a stay of the committal order, effectively meaning if granted the couple will remain on bail.
He said the defence also filed another application for a review of the magistrate court’s ruling which found the Bushiris with some charges to answer.
Said Kita: “We have just got furnished with the written ruling, so we are still developing our grounds and we are still within time.”
In a separate interview, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Masauko Chamkakala said the application for stay of execution of the committal order is supported by the law under Section 10 (2) of the Extradition Act.
He said: “As for the review, we are awaiting arguments from defence counsel and we are also waiting to be provided with the lower court’s record. We can only comment after that.”
Chimwaza earlier granted a 30-day stay on the extradition from March 13 2025 and ordered the defence to formally request bail from the High Court of Malawi within the stipulated period.
She clarified that the proceedings constituted an inquiry rather than a trial, rendering the legal shortcomings irrelevant in this instance.
Bushiri faces rape, fraud, forgery and bail violation charges while his wife is charged with fraud, forgery and breaching bail conditions.
The couple’s ‘great’ escape from the rainbow nation remains a mystery and nearly caused a diplomatic row following allegations that the charismatic prophet and his wife were smuggled into Malawi through State machinery.
