Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Thembi Simelane, announced on Friday that the department is actively addressing Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and Extradition requests involving South Africa.
“We are committed to fulfilling our treaty and extradition obligations to ensure that justice is served in all relevant cases,” she told journalists.
The minister was speaking during a media briefing where she outlined the priorities of her department in the seventh administration.
Prophet Bushiri, Gupta brothers
She told journalists that recent developments include ongoing efforts to extradite Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife from Malawi. Also to extradite the Gupta brothers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“These cases have faced several challenges, but we remain steadfast in our pursuit of accountability. Our teams are working diligently through diplomatic and legal channels to bring these matters to a resolution.”
Bushiri fled South Africa while he was out on bail for fraud and money laundering charges.
Meanwhile, Atul and Rajesh Gupta are accused in South Africa of profiting from their close links with the former President Jacob Zuma and exerting unfair influence.
The minister also touched on the case involving Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. Thne two were murdered in Durban in February last year.
Ndimande brothers
The minister said they were awaiting the judgment, which was heard this morning. The matter involved the main extradition application case involving the two suspects in the murders. These are brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, who are in eswatini.
The Manzini magistrate’s court has since granted the application to extradite the Ndimande brothers to South Africa. They will stand trial in connection with the murder of the two friends, AKA and Motsoane.
According to reports, the two accused were arrested in Mbabane and have been in police custody ever since.
- SAnews.gov.za
Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content
