Court has ruled in favour of Prophet Bushiri, ordering SA-base witnesses to testify in the extradition case in Malawi, in person.

Court rules in favour of Prophet Bushiri, ordering SA-base witnesses to testify in in Malawi, in person. Image via Facebook/ Prophet Shepherd Bushiri

Here we go again! ‘Prophet’ Bushiri’s R44 million headache

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary fled South Africa in 2020 and face fraud and money laundering charges

Court has ruled in favour of Prophet Bushiri, ordering SA-base witnesses to testify in the extradition case in Malawi, in person.

Court rules in favour of Prophet Bushiri, ordering SA-base witnesses to testify in in Malawi, in person. Image via Facebook/ Prophet Shepherd Bushiri

Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s woes continue to pile up and he may need more than his supposed super powers to recover from them. According to City Press, the South Arican Revenue Service (SARS) is seeking to recover a whopping R44 million in unpaid taxes from Bushiri and his wife. The couple is now considered fugitives after they fled South Africa for Malawi, in violation of their bail conditions. They, along with three co-accused face charges of fraud and money laundering to the tune of R102 million.

SARS GUNS FOR THE BUSHIRIS

City Press reports that in March, Shepherd Bushiri’s wife Mary received a letter from SARS, in which the revenue collector instructs her to settle the millions within a matter of days, or face the consequences. SARS is said to have also given the Bushiris the option to pay their tax bill in instalments or apply to have the debt suspended by lodging a formal dispute.

Should the Bushiris fail to settle the amount or make use of the other measures SARS has afforded them, the revenue service could apply to have their assets attached.

SA OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY IN EXTRADITION TRIAL

In February, 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.

“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.

The South African government sent an extradition request to Malawi in terms of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol on 5 December 2021. 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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