Arrest warrant issued for fugitive Bushiris
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (also known as the Hawks) have confirmed that an arrest warrant for the controversial Malawian prophet Shepard Bushiri and wife, Mary.
They have been labelled as fugitive after they they failed to present themselves at the police station to confirm that they are still in the country.
In a statement released to the media on Monday, November 16, the Hawks have confirmed that the warrant was issued by the Pretoria Magistrates Court as the couple have contravened bail conditions when they mysteriously fled South Africa for Malawi.
“The Bushiris bail is cancelled thus forfeiting the R200,000 each which they posted as bail. They also forfeit their residence should they not present themselves in court on Thursday, 19 November 2020,” said the Hawks.
The arrest warrent comes after the two had failed to present themselves at the police station to confirm that they are still in the country, as per their bail conditions. It is understood that they illegally fled to Malawi, their native country, last week.
Bail conditions included them not travelling beyond Gauteng and North West. They were also expected to report to a police station twice a week, on Monday and Friday.
The Bushiris were early this month released on bail for charges relating to theft, money laundering and fraud in connection with an alleged R100 million investment scheme.
On Monday, the South African government confirmed it had initiated an extradition process in an effort to retrieve the two fugitives.
Bushiris did not flee with Malawi president
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) confirmed that the fugitive couple did not leave South Africa aboard a flight on which Malawian President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera, and his delegation travelled.
