‘Only SA officials’ will testify in Bushiri’s extradition case in Malawi
Following latest judgment on Bushiri’s extradition case, the Department of Justice said only officials are to travel to Malawi to testify.
The Department of Justice reportedly said that only certain witnesses will have to go testify in the extradition case of self-proclaimed prophet, Chipiliro Gama, popularly known as Bushiri, and his wife, Mary, in Malawi.
This comes after the High Court of Malawi has on Monday, 13 February ruled that South Africa-based witnesses on the extradition case against the Bushiri’s have to travel to Malawi to give evidence.
MALAWI HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT CLARIFIED
Clarifying the judgment, the department said the Malawian court is only asking for state and law enforcement officials in South Africa to give their testimonies. It said that this was an extradition hearing and not a trial, The Citizen reported.
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“Witnesses to a preliminary inquiry / extradition hearing are representatives / agents of the requesting state who will be able to answer questions and be cross-examined by the fugitive on the issues on Section 6,” the report quoted the judgment.
BUSHIRI’S FACE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING CRIME
The South African previously reported that the Bushiri’s are wanted in connection with a fraud and money laundering case to the alleged tune of R102 million.
They were arrested in 2020 but skipped the country to Malawi soon after being granted R200 000 bail each by the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court under strict conditions.
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The South African government sent an extradition request to Malawi in terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol on 5 December 2021.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WELCOMES JUDGEMENT
Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court ruled in favour of the prosecution, allowing witnesses to give evidence virtually, while in South Africa, before a South African court.
However, Bushri and his wife, argued that the witnesses had to be physically in court in Malawi to testify.
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The couple won. It was ruled that the witnesses from South Africa attend the extradition case in Malawi, in person.
The department has welcomed the ruling and “stands ready to comply.”