Malawian magistrate sides with wanted 'prophet'

A Malawian magistrate has deemed South Africa's arrest of Malawian self-proclaimed prophet, Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, illegal.

Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary, right, attend a bail application in the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Oct. 30, 2020.

Bushiri, wanted in South Africa for violating his bail hearing, fled to his country, Malawi, on Sunday. Shortly after his arrival, Bushirir and his wife were issued an international arrest warrant by the South African government and were later apprehended by Malawian authorities in Lilongwe.

The pair were released, without bail, by a local magistrate on the grounds that their arrest was unlawful. Bushiri walked out of the courtroom ecstatic with the verdict and was seen punching the air in joy.

Bushiri, a prophet based in South Africa worth millions, is charged with multiple counts of fraud and money-laundering, mostly stemming from his actions taken at his church. Bushirir was released from jail after paying his and his wife's $35,000 bail tab.

The couple maintains that their departure was necessary because they believed their lives were in danger.

Consequently, South African authorities have dismissed the couple's bail and declared them wanted fugitives, seizing their $355,700 mansion and sportscars.

Bushiri has long portrayed himself as a divine healer capable of curing HIV and blindness, as well as delivering his followers out of poverty.

By: Niza Nondo