Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-12 07:45:57
Lawyers representing the leader of Enlightened Christian Gathering, Shepherd Bushiri, and his wife Mary focused on cross-examining a key witness in their case regarding alleged tampering of documents. The witness in question is Sibongile Mzinyathi, who serves as South Africa’s Director of Public Prosecutions and is seeking the extradition of the Bushiris to answer charges related to fraud and money laundering.
Appearing before Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Madalitso Chimwaza, the lawyers sought to challenge the procedures followed in the extradition request. The State presented original documents, which the defense had requested, at the start of the case. During the cross-examination, one of the Bushiris’ lawyers, Wapona Kita, questioned the witness about the administrative and legal processes involved in the extradition request.
After the hearing, Kita raised concerns about evidence tampering, noting discrepancies between the original and scanned documents. He believed that the original document was not properly authenticated, and there were inconsistencies between the original and scanned copies that were supposed to corroborate each other.
State lawyer Dzikondianthu Malunda expressed satisfaction with the proceedings, stating that everything was conducted in accordance with the law and that it was now up to the court to make its ruling. The case was set to continue the following day.
The Bushiris made headlines in 2020 when they fled South Africa, citing threats to their lives and a lack of protection from the country. At the time of their escape, they were out on bail, and the circumstances surrounding their departure remain undisclosed to this day. Bushiri defended their decision to flee as a “tactical withdrawal” aimed at safeguarding their lives.
The ongoing legal battle between the Bushiris and the South African government has captured public attention, with many eagerly awaiting the outcome. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in cross-border legal proceedings and extradition requests.
As the proceedings continue, both sides are striving to present their case and secure a favorable outcome. The legal team representing the Bushiris is diligently scrutinizing the evidence presented against their clients, while the State is committed to upholding the law and seeking justice for the alleged crimes. The court will ultimately weigh the arguments and evidence presented before reaching a decision on the extradition of the Bushiris.
Read the original article on The Times
