Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary Bushiri have appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates court on charges of fraud and money laundering.

Bushiri handed himself over to the Hawks on Tuesday 20 October after his wife was arrested by the Hawks.

Advocate Annaline van dan Heever representing Bushiri is challenging the preliminary issues that the court should look into. This includes the State alleging that the address provided by Bushiri is not the same as the other one provided in the first bail application.

The investigating officer says their investigation is at an advanced stage, but they have a reason to believe that if Bushiri and bis wife are released on bail, they will interfere with the case.

The investigating officer also says there is an affidavit from Home Affairs with a notice to Bushiri and his wife that their stay in the country is due to expire soon.

Shepherd Bushiri and his wife allegedly have no fixed address, the investigating officer states that their current residence is up for sale.

However, Bushiri’s lawyer states that it goes against the constitution and freedom of liberty not to proceed with the bail application today.

Bushiri’s lawyer earlier had said that the state cannot arrest the accused as they say they are still investigating the matter.

She states that it needs to be a watertight case.