The High Court of Malawi has temporarily halted the extradition of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary to South Africa to answer charges by allowing the couple to remain on bail until August 5 2025.
Presiding Judge Mzonde Mvula has since scheduled June 12, 2025 for oral arguments from both defence and prosecution teams on the applications filed by the defence against the judgement of the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court for the couple to be extradited.
In an interview after the hearing of the matter yesterday which was in chamber, one of the defence lawyers Wapona Kita said the court also ordered both parties to submit written arguments within 21 days, beginning with the defence.
He said: “Basically, it was an application for directions and an application for review.
“We are satisfied with the continuation of the stay of execution of the committal order because it puts our client at ease. He can go about with his life and his businesses.”
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda declined to grant interviews when approached.
But earlier, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Masauko Chamkakala explained that the application for stay of execution of the committal order is supported by Section 10 (2) of the Extradition Act.
High Court Judge Madalitso Chimwaza, sitting as chief resident magistrate, had granted a 30-day stay on the extradition process from March 13 2025 and ordered the defence to formally request bail from the High Court within the stipulated period.
The Bushiris’ escape from South Africa 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.
