The contradictory investigation of the autonomous case against Manuel Chang, the former Minister of Finance, and three former senior managers of the Bank of Mozambique, who are accused of involvement in facilitating the undeclared debts, estimated at just over two billion dollars, without the authorization of Parliament, has come to an end.

According to judicial sources quoted by Integrity, once the contradictory hearing is over, the judge is expected to issue an indictment and, consequently, set a trial date.

According to the same sources, the trial of the autonomous case could take place later this year. In the case, Manuel Chang is accused of committing crimes of violation of budgetary legality, passive corruption for an illegal act, abuse of office or function, association to commit crimes, embezzlement and money laundering. South Africa is also awaiting a decision on whether to extradite the former ruler to Mozambique, so that he can be held accountable in case 536/P/2019, which was opened as an extension of the investigation into the undeclared debts.

The three former Central Bank managers are accused of abuse of office or function for having authorized the payment of the debts without observing legal procedures.

The case in question was concluded thanks to the collaboration of countries such as South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon, among others. Meanwhile, as a result of the investigations in this autonomous case against Chang, the Public Prosecutor's Office recovered, in cash, seven million meticais and a property, purchased for 850,000 dollars, in the city of Maputo.

The former finance minister has been detained since December 2018 in South Africa, following an arrest warrant issued by the United States, the outcome of which remains uncertain.