The Malawi High Court is expected to give a ruling on Tuesday in a challenge to a magistrate’s decision to have South African witnesses testify in person in the extradition hearing of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary.

The notice of delivery is reportedly dated 4 February 2022.

Although the Bushiris’ main extradition hearing is enrolled in the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court in Malawi, the High Court rule on a an application to review the magistrate’s decision on the appearance of the South African witnesses.

The magistrate ordered that they should attend court in person, rather than testify virtually, but the Malawian State disagrees and wants the decision reviewed and set aside. Judgment on this aspect will be given on Tuesday.

The matter is expected to return to the Magistrate’s Court afterwards.

The Bushiris fled the country to their homeland of Malawi in November 2020, just a few days after the Pretoria Central Magistrate’s Court granted them R200 000 bail each.

At the time, it was reported that Bushiri said he was not running away from any trial he faced, but left to seek intervention from the Malawian government because he did not feel safe in South Africa. 

The couple is wanted in South Africa on allegations of fraud and money laundering to the tune of R102 million.

Tht self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri is reportedly doing “OK” ahead of the judgment regarding the attendance of SA witnesses at his extradition hearing.

His lawyer Wapona Kita confirmed on Sunday that the Malawi High Court was expected to deliver judgment on Tuesday on an application to review a magistrate’s ruling that SA witnesses should testify in person and not virtually at the extradition hearing.

When asked how his client was doing ahead of the judgment, Kita replied: “He is OK. Nothing extraordinary.”

Should the extradition application be granted, the Bushiris will be returned to SA to face trial.