Paramount Chief Kyungu and Senior Chief Lukwa has appealed to the Malawi government not to extradite Leader of Enlighted Christian Gathering (ECG) prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary who are wanted by the South African government.
The two chiefs made the call after government confirmed of receiving a request from South Africa to extradite the couple.
In a letter sent to Malawi Authorities, South Africa reminded of the bilateral friendship that exists between the two Nations amd the SADC agreements on fugitives.
Paramount Chief Kyungu said Malawi government is obliged to protect its own citizens.
“It is the responsibility of the Malawi government to protect its citizens, in our understanding he is innocent…as far as I am concerned prophet Bushiri is the son of Malawi, he is innocent, he has the right to be protected by his government, and he has not wronged us,” said Paramount Chief.
Senior Chief Lukwa has also weighed in saying Malawi and South African governments before making any decision should consider safety and life of prophet Bushiri.
He said there are claims that the life of prophet Bushiri has been under threat.
He said there is no need to send the Bushiris to South Africa when it is an open secret that his life is endangered.
“We as Chewas believe that if a child has run away from the bush and seeks refuge in a house, we don’t send that child back to the bush, no,” said the senior chief.
Government of Malawi is on record as saying it will follow the law and procedure in addressing the whole fiasco.
The case of extraditing Prophet Bushiri and his Wife Mary resumes on 14 December in court.
Prophet Bushiri and his wife ‘miraculously’ found themselves in Malawi after leaving South Africa where several cases including money laundering are hovering over their heads.
