Malawi Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MABLEM) has asked the country’s government to reject request for extradition of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and wife, Mary, to South Africa.

MABLEM, including the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), made the call at a press conference in Lilongwe.

The couple are facing money laundering and fraud charges in the neighbouring southern African country, which has initiated legal proceedings to secure his extradition.

Bushiri and his wife were arrested for alleged financial misdeeds amounting to 102 million rand ($6.6 million).

HRCC Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba noted that the leader of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church should be given a chance for a fair trial.

‘As civil society movement, we have analysed and understood Prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s decision to return to Malawi as he faced numerous threats and attempts on his life as presented’, he said.

‘The allegations and threats on Bushiri must not be taken lightly especially in a country which has got one of the highest crime rates in the world.

‘We strongly believe there can never be a trial of Bushiri in his absence. We need him alive to answer the charges and justice be seen to be delivered’.

Malawi police service arrested Bushiri and his wife after they handed themselves over to the police at Area 30 when they got wind of their impending arrest following an arrest warrant by South Africa to kick off the extradition process.

Spokesman for the couple, Ephraim Nyondo, denied the couple’s arrest was sparked by the warrant.

He said that Bushiri had vowed to present himself to the Malawi police to demonstrate commitment that he is not a fugitive.

‘He is in Malawi to seek justice, which he believes he cannot be accorded in South Africa’, Nyondo said.

Source: Nyasa Times

Photo source: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri