Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Patrick Chirwa thrown away an application by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri to have his case heard as civil and not criminal.

Last week, the Bushiris’ lawyer applied for extradition proceedings to be heard as civil and not criminal proceedings.

The defence also says the extradition request is incomplete as the South African government has not provided documentary evidence.

The court has ruled that the case will continue being tried as a criminal case.

Magistrate Chirwa has also ordered the state to provide all the proper documentations to the defense team in an extradition case involving Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary.

Chirwa says considering their significance, the state should make available the documents within seven days.

The couple fled South Africa while on bail in November.

They were facing multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering.