Former Mozambique Finance Minister Manuel Chang has been extradited to the United States of America (USA) to face fraud and corruption charges.
Chang is expected to stand trial in New York for his alleged role in the $2 billion loan scheme to boost the country’s maritime economy.
The alleged looting of the scheme led to Mozambique defaulting on its sovereign debt, sending it into an economic crisis.
According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCOD), Chang was detained just over five years ago at OR Tambo International Airport.
Both Mozambique and the US applied for his extradition in the Pretoria High Court.
“Mr Chang was detained by South African Police Services at OR Tambo International Airport on December 30, 2018, following a provisional arrest warrant issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The United States and the Republic of Mozambique requested his extradition on various charges,” a DJCOD said in a statement.
Several hearings had followed since 2019 – in the Magistrates Court in Kempton Park and the High Court of South Africa’s Gauteng Local Division, resulting in the Republic of Mozambique filing applications with the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court to et Chang extradited to Mozambique.
However, according to the DJCOD, the long legal wrangle was settled earlier this year when the Constitutional Court ruled that he be extradited to the USA instead of Mozambique.
“In May 2023, the Constitutional Court denied leave to appeal, citing a lack of reasonable prospects of success after reviewing an application for condonation and an application for leave to appeal,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
