The government said it had initiated a process to secure the extradition of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.
The couple, who face charges of fraud and money-laundering involving an amount of R102 million rand, violated their bail conditions by fleeing to Malawi.
Government spokesperson, Phumla Williams, said the government will seek Bushiri’s extradition from Malawi in terms of the SADEC Protocol on Extradition and other legal instruments, to which Malawi is a signatory.
“While this process is underway, law-enforcement agencies will continue investigations into this matter,” she said.
Meanwhile, Williams said that the Bushiri’s did not leave the country with Malawian President, Lazarus Chakwera, who was in the country late last week for a working visit with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Following the visit, President Chakwera and his delegation departed from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria and stopped over at OR Tambo International Airport to collect an additional number of officials who had travelled to South Africa earlier to prepare for the working visit,” Williams said.
She said the Department of Home Affairs' immigration officials verified the identities of all passengers and the Bushiri’s were not on the flight.
“When travellers are processed for departure, they are required to present themselves to an immigration officer who, among other checks, verifies that the passport belongs to the traveler,” William said.
