Prophet Shepherd Bushiri Takes Legal Action for Justice After Daughter’s Tragic Death Due to Misuse of Authority

> Come up with a headline from this: In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, my eight-year-old daughter was scheduled to travel from Malawi to Kenya for urgent medical treatment. At that time, most hospitals in Malawi were overwhelmed and unable to provide the specialized care she desperately needed.

> Tragically, upon her arrival at Lilongwe International Airport, an injunction was issued by Mr. Steve Kayuni, who was then the Director of Public Prosecutions, preventing her from leaving the country. He claimed to have received directives from officials within the South African Government to act in that manner.

> My daughter, already in a fragile condition, was detained at the airport for five days while my legal team worked tirelessly to overturn the injunction. By the time the court granted permission for her to travel, it was too late, she had lost her life.

> We accepted the pain and forgave Mr. Kayuni. However, forgiveness does not remove accountability. There are far too many individuals in authority who misuse their positions without consequence. This time, the law must speak.

> I have therefore instructed my legal team to institute legal proceedings against Mr. Kayuni so that he may explain before a competent court which South African officials allegedly directed him to take such an unlawful and inhumane action against an innocent child.

> Every child has the right to life and access to medical care, as enshrined in the Constitution of Malawi and protected under international human rights law. This case is not only about my daughter, it is about defending every Malawian child from the abuse of power.

> I am deeply grateful to the many child rights organizations, legal practitioners, and human rights advocates who have come forward in solidarity. Justice delayed took my daughter’s life, but justice denied will not silence her memory.

— Prophet Shepherd Bushiri