- Malawi High Court overturns extradition order for Shepherd and Mary Bushiri.
- Minister Kubayi says South Africa is studying the ruling and considering legal options.
- The government reaffirms its commitment to justice and cooperation across borders.
South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has confirmed that the government is closely examining a recent ruling by the High Court of Malawi. This ruling overturned a lower court’s decision to extradite self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, back to South Africa.
The Bushiris, who escaped from South Africa in 2020 while out on bail for multiple fraud and money laundering charges, have been at the centre of an ongoing legal and diplomatic conflict between the two countries. The couple was arrested and appeared in two separate South African courts before fleeing to Malawi, which sparked outrage and raised concerns about border security and international cooperation.
In a statement, Kubayi said, “The South African Government is studying the judgment and will decide the next legal steps once a full assessment of the ruling has been completed.”
Justice, diplomacy, and accountability across borders
While the High Court’s decision is a setback for South Africa’s efforts to bring the Bushiris to trial, Kubayi reaffirmed the country’s strong commitment to justice. “South Africa remains determined to explore all legal options to ensure that justice is ultimately served,” she said.
The minister also expressed confidence in the integrity of both South Africa and Malawi’s judicial systems, highlighting the importance of ongoing diplomatic engagement. “We will continue to work closely with our Malawian counterparts to ensure that justice is achieved, fight corruption, and strengthen mechanisms for cooperation in criminal matters,” she added.
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