Malawi High Court Sets Aside Shepherd Bushiri’s Extradition Order

Malawi’s High Court has set aside the order that paved the way for Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, to be extradited back to South Africa. In a judgment delivered in Lilongwe, Justice Mzonde Mvula identified procedural and legal flaws in the proceedings, including that the couple had not been given a proper opportunity to be heard.

Their lawyer, Wapona Kita, said they could no longer be extradited under the overturned order, although the State could appeal.

Malawi High Court Reviews Shepherd Bushiri Extradition Order

The Shepherd Bushiri extradition case centres on a committal order issued by the Chief Resident Magistrate in March 2025. The High Court found that the proceedings leading to the order contained legal and procedural deficiencies. Among the findings was that the couple had not been given a proper opportunity to present their case before the order was made.

The ruling sets aside the existing committal order, meaning it can no longer serve as the basis for the couple’s extradition to South Africa. However, the decision does not determine the criminal charges they face in South Africa. The State may still challenge the judgment through an appeal.

Shepherd Bushiri Lawyer Explains Court Ruling

Kita said the court had provided detailed reasons for its decision after considering the submissions and grounds for review presented by the defence. He said the ruling meant Bushiri and his wife could not be extradited under the order that had been set aside.

“The court has provided the detailed reasons after considering our submissions and grounds for review,” Kita said.

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He added: “Prophet Bushiri and his wife will no longer be extradited to South Africa under the quashed order.”

Kita said the matter could return to court if the State decided to appeal the High Court’s ruling.

“The only way forward now is through an appeal by the State,” he said.

Shepherd Bushiri And Wife Still Face Charges In South Africa

The Shepherd Bushiri extradition proceedings relate to charges linked to the couple’s Enlightened Christian Gathering ministry in South Africa.

They fled to Malawi in 2020 while out on bail in South Africa and face allegations including fraud, theft and money laundering. Both have denied the allegations and have previously raised concerns about their safety and the prospect of receiving a fair trial if returned.

The latest judgment concerns the validity of the extradition order and does not amount to a ruling on the couple’s guilt or innocence in the South African criminal case. The possibility of a State appeal means further legal proceedings may follow. For now, the overturned order cannot be used to extradite them.