Malawi extradition matter delays Bushiri case

The fraud, theft and money laundering case against self-proclaimed prophet and now fugitive Shepherd Bushiri has been postponed as the state awaits the outcome of his extradition hearing in Malawi. Bushiri's co-accused, Willah Mudolo, his wife Zethu and Landiwe Ntlokwana appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court last week, reports News24. Bushiri and his wife Mary, who is also a co-accused, fled the country, returning to their homeland of Malawi soon after being granted bail by the same court in November last year. The accused face multiple charges of fraud, theft and money laundering in relation to an investment scam, which allegedly defrauded investors to the tune of R102m. The state requested a lengthy postponement as it was waiting for the outcome of the Bushiris' extradition hearing, set to start on 8 March in Malawi. The prosecutor added that further investigations were underway. The matter was postponed to 4 May.

Bushiri’s daughter was granted permission to travel to Kenya for medical treatment. His lawyer Wapona Kita told News24 that she was suffering from a condition that could not be treated locally. She is required to travel with two guardians. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, Bushiri's daughters and mother-in-law were stopped from leaving Malawi for Kenya over the weekend.