The biggest corruption trial in Mozambique’s history is under way at a maximum security prison, at the same time as the credibility of the country’s judicial system is on trial in neighbouring South Africa.
The scandal involves more than $2.7 billion (£2 billion) of undisclosed state debts – money which the government borrowed to set up a sophisticated tuna industry – to buy trawlers and military patrol boats but much of it was allegedly diverted to corrupt officials. Manuel Chang is one of the alleged officials.
The former finance minister, who signed off on the loans about eight years ago, has been in detention in South Africa since December 2018. The 66-year-old politician and economist denied accepting $7 million in bribes. He was nonetheless arrested at the request of the US, where investors were affected by the scandal. However, he has been limbo in South Africa for years as Mozambique filed a competing request for his extradition.
His fate seemed decided in August when South Africa’s justice minister resolved that Mr Chang should be sent to Mozambique to face justice. The decision however faced backlash as protest from civil society groups in Mozambique and South Africa – they question whether Mozambique had the political will or capacity for a proper prosecution.
