Government is able to confirm that fugitives Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary did not leave South Africa aboard a flight on which Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera and his delegation travelled.
Chakwera undertook a successful working visit to South Africa on Friday, 13 November, during which South Africa and Malawi discussed a broad range of initiatives to strengthen relations between the governments and peoples of the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the Government Communication and Information System, 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.
“Department of Home Affairs immigration officials verified the identities of all passengers and Mr and Ms Bushiri 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 traveller,” the statement read.
To ensure that the two fugitives face justice, South Africa has initiated a process to secure their extradition from Malawi in terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 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.”
News24 reported that the controversial preacher and his wife fled to their home country of Malawi sometime earlier this week citing that they feared for their lives.
The couple face charges of fraud and money laundering related to an investment scheme to the value of over R102 million.
Earlier this month the couple were granted bail of R200 000 each by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and part of their bail conditions forbid them from leaving the country. Bushiri, known for his extravagant lifestyle, has yet to face his criminal trial.
