The Republic of South Africa has finally served Malawi with the extradition request for Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Church founder Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.
The two are wanted in South Africa where they are answering different charges including fraud and money laundering.
They escaped after being given bail.
A press release by South Africa’s Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services said the extradition request has been duly served in terms of Article 6 of the SADC Protocol on extradition as well Article 10 of the Extradition Agreement Between the Government of Malawi and Republic of South Africa entered in terms of the Republic of South Africa Extradition Act No 67 of 1962 as amended.
“As previously indicated the law provides for this extradition request to be submitted within 30 days, however this extradition request is been brought within a period of two weeks. The submission follows a request for a provisional arrest which was sent through the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in terms Article 10 of the SADC Protocol.
“We note that this has been appealed by the fugitives. We are closely monitoring appeal processes by the Malawian authorities.
“Given our sound and healthy diplomatic, strategic and political relationship, and our common citizenship of the SADC Community, we are convinced that the Republic of Malawi will honour the letter and spirit of every provision of their International and regional obligations” reads the statement statement signed by Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services Spokesperson Chrispin Phiri.
Last month, police in Lilongwe arrested Bushiri and his wife after they had handed themselves over to police following a warrant of arrest from interpol.
However, they were unconditionally released by Principal Resident Magistrate Viva Nyimba noting that the arrest was illegal.
