Victory for Prophet Bushiri After Court Blocks Move to Send Him Back to SA

The High Court of Malawi has overturned a lower court ruling that ordered the extradition of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary to South Africa.

The judgment, delivered on October 31, 2025, by Judge Mzondi Mvula, set aside the committal order issued by the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court on March 12, 2025.

The South African government had sought the couple’s extradition to face multiple charges, including fraud, money laundering, and rape.

However, the High Court found that the lower court’s decision lacked legal gravity and that the Magistrate failed to properly assess key aspects of the case. Most of the grounds presented for extradition were dismissed due to procedural and evidentiary errors.

The Bushiris have long maintained that they would not receive a fair trial in South Africa. They fled to Malawi in 2020 after being granted bail in South Africa on similar charges.

The ruling is seen as a major relief for the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) leader and his wife, who remain in Malawi as free citizens pending any further legal action from South Africa.