Mozambique Money-Launderer Applies for South Africa Asylum

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Mozambique Money-Launderer Applies for South Africa Asylum

2:56 CAT | 18 Jan 2016

In file Club of Mozambique.

Contrary to expectations, the court in the South African town of Barberton took no decision on Friday on the application for bail from the two Mozambicans, Assane Momad and Abdul Ahmed, arrested on Christmas Day at the Lebombo border post as they tried to smuggle the equivalent of 7.3 million US dollars in banknotes from Mozambique into South Africa.

Previously the men’s defence lawyers have been pushing for a speedy outcome to the bail application – but the latest postponement was at the request of the defence, who wanted to use the time available on Friday to pursue a request for political asylum from Momad. He says he does not wish to return to Mozambique, because he has received death threats.

Under South African law, foreigners are entitled to make such requests – although there is, of course, no guarantee that they will be granted.

The prosecution clearly regards the asylum request as a frivolous diversion. According to the independent Mozambican television station, STV, the prosecutor pointed out to the court that Momad has been travelling regularly between Mozambique and South Africa for decades. Yet it was only after he was arrested at Christmas, that he suddenly announced that his life was in danger and asked for asylum.

The prosecution pointed out that Momad and Ahmed have been less than truthful with the court. They had concealed the existence of multiple passports. When arrested, they were in possession of three passports – but information from the Mozambican authorities showed that Momade has nine and Ahmed five passports, all of them apparently valid.

Furthermore, the claim that Ahmed was merely a passenger in Momad’s car did not stand up to scrutiny. Immigration records dating back to 1997 showed that the two men always travelled together.

They are being charged with money laundering. They claim to be legitimate businessmen, but the prosecution noted they have presented no bank documents or any other documentation that would indicate the nature of their business.

So far there is no convincing explanation of where the 7.3 million dollars came from, much less of where Momade and Ahmed were taking it.

Source: AIM