The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that the long-delayed racketeering trial involving a co-accused linked to self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri is set to commence on 04 May 2026 in the Pretoria High Court.

On Thursday, the NPA welcomed a judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court on 02 April 2026, which dismissed an application brought by accused Willah Joseph Mudolo and others. The court found no merit in their attempt to block racketeering charges and rejected what it described as further efforts to interfere with the prosecution, including attempts to remove the assigned prosecuting team.

The matter relates to allegations against Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, who were initially accused before they fled South Africa. The case was later transferred to the Pretoria High Court, where it made its first appearance on 20 November 2023. Since then, the State has maintained its readiness to proceed, but the trial has been repeatedly delayed.

According to the NPA, one of the co-accused, Mudolo, together with his wife Zethu Matshingana Mudolo and Rising Estate (Pty) Ltd, has been identified by the court as being responsible for “undue delays” in proceedings. On 16 January 2025, Justice Mosopa made a formal finding to that effect.

Mudolo’s legal team had launched multiple applications seeking to halt the prosecution. These included a review of the authorisation to charge the accused under racketeering provisions in terms of section 2 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), as well as challenges to their arrest and to the decision by former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi to issue a racketeering certificate.

In addition, Mudolo and his co-accused attempted to remove the prosecution team from the case, arguing alleged misconduct. However, these efforts were rejected. The Legal Practice Council had already dismissed a related complaint against the prosecutors on 17 July 2025.

Justice Ismail, who presided over both the review and removal applications, dismissed what the court described as “scathing and at times slanderous allegations” against the prosecution team. The court found no evidence of impropriety or wilful disregard of court orders.

“The evidence of Mudolo and his wife did not support their belief that the prosecutors acted improperly,” the judgment noted, adding that the allegations appeared to be a “desperate attempt” to halt the prosecution.

The court further emphasised that a prosecutor cannot be removed simply because an accused person is dissatisfied. “A prosecutor cannot be replaced willy-nilly because an accused person is not satisfied with him or her prosecuting a matter,” Justice Ismail ruled. Both applications were dismissed with costs.

The accused had also argued that the racketeering charges were invalid due to the timing of the NDPP’s written authorisation under POCA. However, the court found that the prosecution had relied on internal memoranda, draft indictments and case summaries when issuing the certificate, and that there was no irrationality or procedural unlawfulness.

The NPA said it views the repeated legal challenges as part of the so-called “Stalingrad tactics” aimed at delaying the trial. It warned that such conduct undermines the right of the co-accused and the public to a speedy and fair trial.

“These tactics have delayed proceedings and undermined the administration of justice,” the NPA said, adding that it remains committed to prosecuting the matter “without fear, favour or prejudice.”

NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the authority welcomes the court’s ruling and is ready for the trial to proceed.

“The NPA remains resolute in its commitment to ensure that justice takes its course,” Kganyago said.

The six accused face multiple charges, including racketeering, fraud and money laundering. The trial is expected to proceed in the Pretoria High Court on 04 May 2026, marking the end of a prolonged pre-trial legal battle spanning several years.