The Founder and Leader of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Prophet Shepherd Bushiri has took to social media to thank a Malawian charge who gave green light for the extradition case to continue.
“I am delighted with the ruling from the high court on our extradition case. I am happy that the judge has agreed with our position which my lawyers advanced in the magistrate court that the extradition proceedings must proceed by way of a preliminary inquiry.Â
This means that witnesses must come physically to Malawi except according to the judge if the state is able to show exceptional circumstances why the hearing should be given by video conferencing. For now it’s business as usual for us and we will wait for the next step that the state will take. One day, I mean one day, the truth shall prevail!,” he posted.
In the judgment, Kapindu gave several directives including that South African-based witnesses’ physical presence was not the only way to authenticate evidence.
Kapindu noted that virtual hearings have risks, but said the court has a discretion when it comes to virtual testimony.
The main extradition matter is expected to return to the lower court.
Bushiri and his wife are wanted in South Africa in connection with fraud and money laundering, allegedly to the tune of R102 million.
The pair fled the country to their homeland of Malawi in November 2020, just a few days after the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court granted them R200 000 bail each.At the time, News24 reported that Bushiri said he was not running away from any trial he faced but left to seek intervention from the Malawian government because he did not feel safe in South Africa.
