Chang v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others; Forum de Monitoria do Orcamento v Chang and Others (22157/2019; 24217/2019) [2019] ZAGPJHC 396; [2020] 1 All SA 747 (GJ); 2020 (2) SACR 70 (GJ) (1 November 2019)

Chang v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others; Forum de Monitoria do Orcamento v Chang and Others (22157/2019; 24217/2019) [2019] ZAGPJHC 396; [2020] 1 All SA 747 (GJ); 2020 (2) SACR 70 (GJ) (1 November 2019)

The Court found that Mr Chang's immunity under Mozambican law was operative at the time of the Minister's decision and had not been lifted. Article 4(e) of the SADC Protocol created a mandatory prohibition on extradition in such circumstances. The Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique was therefore...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2019] ZAGPJHC 396
Parties
Applicant: Manuel Chang; Respondent: Minister of Justice and Correctional Services; Applicant: Forum de Monitoria do Orcamento; Respondent: The Republic of Mozambique; Appellant: Helen Suzman Foundation
Court
South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
22157/2019; 24217/2019
Procedural Posture
Review Application / Full Court Hearing Following Consolidation of Two Review Applications
Outcome
Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique set aside; matter remitted to current Minister for fresh determination.
Judges
Fisher, Lamont, Molahlehi
Legal Topics
Extradition, Ministerial Discretion, Immunity From Prosecution, Sadc Protocol, Judicial Review, International Corruption
Administrative Law Criminal Law Public International Law Extradition Ministerial Discretion Immunity From Prosecution Sadc Protocol Judicial Review +1 more

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Parties

Manuel Chang

Applicant

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Respondent

Forum de Monitoria do Orcamento

Applicant

The Republic of Mozambique

Respondent

Helen Suzman Foundation

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Review Application / Full Court Hearing Following Consolidation of Two Review Applications

  1. 1 Whether the Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique was lawful and rational.
  2. 2 Whether Mr Chang's immunity under Mozambican law prohibited his extradition to Mozambique under the SADC Protocol.
  3. 3 Whether the Magistrate's section 10 decision was assailable on grounds of immunity.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that Mr Chang's immunity under Mozambican law was operative at the time of the Minister's decision and had not been lifted. Article 4(e) of the SADC Protocol created a mandatory prohibition on extradition in such circumstances. The Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique was therefore ultra vires and irrational, as it contravened South Africa's international obligations and constitutional requirements. The Magistrate's section 10 inquiry was conducted in accordance with the Act and was not assailable, as the substantive question of immunity was for the Minister. The appropriate remedy was to set aside the Minister's decision and remit the matter for fresh...

Court Disposition

Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique set aside; matter remitted to current Minister for fresh determination.

Orders

  • Mr Chang's application under case number 22157/2019 is dismissed.
  • The Minister's decision to extradite Mr Chang to Mozambique is set aside.