JUST IN: Manuel Chang’s extradition awaits court decision – South African government

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JUST IN: Manuel Chang’s extradition awaits court decision – South African government

5:05 CAT | 25 Jul 2022

Screen grab: ENCA

The extradition case of former finance minister Manuel Chang, requested by the US and by Mozambique, awaits a decision by the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), announced today the Minister of Justice of South Africa, Ronald Lamola.

“On 17 August 2021, a decision was taken to extradite Mr Chang to the Republic of Mozambique by myself as the Minister of Justice. The Fórum de Monitoria do Orçamento [FMO, Mozambican organization] brought an application to review and set aside the minister’s order,” Lamola explained to journalists.

“The matter was heard and, on 9 November 2021, Judge Victor gave an order setting aside our decision and substituting it with an order that Mr Chang should be extradited to the United States of America. Mozambique then filed an application to the Constitutional Court to appeal the judgement. The Constitutional Court dismissed the application with costs. In regard to this matter, it is still in the SCA [Supreme Court of Appeal] for argument and also for decision. So, that is where the mater is now”, concluded the South African Minister of Justice.

Ronald Lamola convened a press conference to update the country today on the ongoing extradition cases of several fugitives from justice.

The United States of America and Mozambique have been asking for the extradition of former Mozambican finance minister Manuel Chang since 2018.

Manuel Chang was detained by the South African Police (SAPS) at the request of the United States at Johannesburg International Airport on December 29, 2018, en route to Dubai, accused of money laundering and financial fraud, and is currently detained at Modderbee Prison in Benoni, east of Johannesburg.

[BREAKING NEWS] Former Mozambican finance minister Manuel Chang will not be surrendered to the United States of America. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/im2ZDbclrx

— eNCA (@eNCA) July 25, 2022

[COMING UP] Justice minister Ronald Lamola has arrived and will soon give a detailed update on high profile extraditions and undertakings of mutual legal assistance. They are understood to include Guptas, Bushiri and Chang matters. I’m at the briefing in Pretoria for @BDliveSA. pic.twitter.com/RMGbffDv34

— Erin Bates (@ermbates) July 25, 2022