Malawi High Court Orders Deportation of Shepherd Bushiri As Uebert Angel’s Threats Backfire Badly
By A Correspondent | ZimEye | Lilongwe, Malawi / Johannesburg, South Africa – March 12, 2025.
When Uebert Angel threatened to overthrow presidents who do not “worship”respect” his church-mentee Shepherd Bushiri in February, he thought the continent’s heads of states would fear him.
Malawi High Court has ordered the deportation of controversial preacher Shepherd Bushiri—and his wife, Mary Bushiri—back to South Africa. The decision, welcomed by the South African government, comes as a major setback for Uebert Angel, whose incendiary threats have inadvertently worsened the fugitive status of his colleague.
Extradition Ruling and Its Implications
In 2020, Shepherd and Mary Bushiri faced several serious criminal charges in South African courts, including rape, violations of bail conditions, and breaches of multiple financial, aviation, and immigration laws. Granted bail pending trial, the pair fled the country under mysterious circumstances and were subsequently located in Malawi. Following an extradition request from South Africa, the Malawi High Court’s ruling now paves the way for their return to face trial.
In an official statement, the South African government declared:
“SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE RULING IN THE SHEPHERD BUSHIRI EXTRADITION”
Government representatives emphasized the ruling’s importance in upholding judicial independence and international legal cooperation. They added:
“We have been informed that the pair intends to appeal the ruling. The South African government will oppose the appeal. The Department will await the outcome of the appeal process if they proceed.”
Furthermore, transfer arrangements will be coordinated by INTERPOL in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Officials assured that:
“Upon receipt, INTERPOL, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), will coordinate the arrangements and logistics for the transfer. The associated costs will be borne by the State.”
Backfired Threats: Uebert Angel’s Statements and Their Fallout
Contrary to reports of broader regional tension, the current developments are rooted solely in the fallout from provocative threats made by Uebert Angel. At a high-profile event held on February 24, 2025, Angel—known for his controversial remarks and questionable credentials—warned that only African leaders who honor Shepherd Bushiri would remain in power. His statements, intended to bolster his own influence, have instead cast his “spiritual son” into an even deeper state of fugitive status.
Angel’s bold assertions have backfired dramatically. Rather than forcing presidents to fear him, his threats have led to intensified legal scrutiny and a harsher reality for Bushiri, who now faces extradition on multiple serious charges. In a twist of irony, Angel himself has recently publicly expressed deep personal fears, stating that he would be killed if he attempted to return to the United Kingdom—a fate he believes awaits him due to controversies dating back to the Gold Mafia documentary investigation aired in 2023.
Accountability
The Malawi High Court’s decision and the ensuing diplomatic cooperation underscore the unwavering commitment of both South Africa and Malawi to uphold the rule of law, regardless of the influence of incendiary rhetoric. While Uebert Angel’s threats were aimed at forcing presidents to fear him and Bushiri, the outcome has instead highlighted that no individual, no matter how controversial, is above legal accountability.
— End of Breaking News Report —