Bushiri extradition hearing stalls, prophet seeks recusal of magistrate who issued suspicious warrant of arrest
Magistrate Patrick Chirwa has adjourned extradition hearing involving Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Prophetess Mary Bushiri to Monday March 15 2021 to give defence lawyers time to prepare application of his recusal.
The legal team for the preacher wanted the magistrate hearing the matter to recuse himself as he had also earlier issued a warrant of arrest against the Bushiris.
Bushiri’s lawyer, Wapona Kita, told Nyasa Times that though they were ready with the case, they were surprised to learn that there is a new magistrate sitting on the case and he happens to be the one who issued a contentious warrant of arrest for his clients.
“We believe this magistrate will likely be biased, as such we are making an application for him to recuse himself,” he said.
Though the State, through director of public prosecution Steve Kayuni objected Kita’s argument calling it baseless, magistrate Chirwa ruled in favour of the defence and adjourned the matter to March 15.
The hearing comes after a warrant of arrest was issued for the couple after they left South Africa to their home country last year, contravening their bail conditions.
The senior leaders of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church were arrested in October on charges of fraud, money laundering and theft.
In January, Malawi’s Ministry of Justice spokesperson, Pirirani Masanjala, said the court had ordered that the extradition hearing kick off in March after the court had issued summons for the two, considered fugitives in South Africa.
The story of Bushiri’s “great escape” from South Africa still features in public discourse.
Vocally criticised by many people in South Africa, particularly on social media, Bushiri commands unparalleled praise and adoration from his legion of followers.
As a precursor to the high-stakes Bushiri extradition hearing, in South Africa last week, the Hawks said Bushiri’s legal representatives were arrested and taken to court, but their matter was not enrolled.
Bushiri lamented that his instructing attorney in South Africa and legal adviser were “unlawfully” detained by the Hawks.
“On Monday, with deep shock and sadness, I learnt about how the Hawks, for eight hours, unlawfully detained my instructing attorney, Mr Terrance Baloyi,and my legal adviser, Mr Alvin Khosa,” said the preacher.
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Wayambanso strategy yake ya ku Joni yothawa mlandu. Next we will hear he has vanished again.Ler him just go back to SA and prove his innocence.
Atumbuka muli ndi nthawi yoseweretsa ati?
Major 1 is something else! So powerful. There were thousands of people at the court who defied Covid restrictions. You could see even the police on duty admiring the Prophet and couldn’t enforce the Covid measures. It was amazing to see Pastors from other churches standing in solidarity with the Man of God .
The devil is in trouble
Nonsense
Yes you said it The devil is in trouble thats why he is trying to buy his way out now, Its money power not anything else all those there are the ones brainwashed and most probably paid
I can’t wait for the day Bushiri arrives in South Africa and is introduced to his cell mates at Sun City or at C-Max and the first night he’s marriage to Nongoloza is consumated.
If he does come back to SA, he will be taken to Super C Max at Kokstad.
Sent him back I don’t think is gonna happen maybe but not soon if he Lost he will appeal to high court from high still to the top court many years to come that’s why the started with the lowest Court as well as it was in RSA if am not mistaken
Own your sins and face justice if you are not guilty you will be free why delay tactics and how many more bribes for trying to stop the extradition and why are we harbouring a fugitive and what price may we end up paying for protecting this con artist
See South Africa how this man in his own country had to hire a few handful of people to carry those obviously sponsored placards…compare how you did it in Pretoria. Ever wonder he still maintains South African bank accounts, as opposed to malawian bank accounts on his preachings? Has he all over a sudden lost his miracle touch? The bible says in Psalms, selah pause, and think about it.
Delaying tactics, will be a long trial with many appeals will take years. Bushiri must remain in Malawi for fear of being arrested in any country with extrididion agreement with South Africa. Never to visit USA or UK or his flock in South Africa until he presents himself to the South African Court.
Not just the US and the UK but over 190 countries who are member states of Interpol.
Yoh these corrupt Magistrates & Police Officers. In South Africa it was the Hawks Officers & White Judge etc etc. Now the Magistrate?????? OK? Just thinking loud.
My understanding my Malawi Mr bushiri with his money is popular mpaka kukaimba ku khoti u been paid
Bushiri must do the right thing and go back to South Africa and face the music