Bushiris Found to Have Cases to Answer

The Chief Resident Magistrate's Court in Lilongwe has today acknowledged four out of ten charges against Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary. 

The charges requiring Bushiri to face trial in South Africa include alleged rape (against the prophet) and contravention of bail conditions, forgery, and fraud for both.

The defense has indicated its intention to appeal the ruling to the High Court and has requested that the magistrate court allow the Bushiris to remain on bail until they receive directions from the High Court.

They further applied for a 30-day stay order on the ruling, which the court granted. The court referred the matter of bail to the High Court, as the Magistrate's Court does not have jurisdiction to grant bail to fugitives. The defense is expected to apply for bail during the stay order, as directed by the Magistrate's Court. This means the Bushiris will remain on bail.

The Bushiris were arrested in the Republic of South Africa in October 2020. However, they left the Republic of South Africa and fled to Malawi in November 2020.

The Malawi Government is being represented in the case by the Director of Criminal Litigation in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Dzikondianthu Malunda.