South Africa: Chang Remains in Jail; Hearing Delayed to 18 January

At the request of defence lawyers, the hearing of Manuel Chang was adjourned until Friday 18 January at Kempton Park Magistrates Court, Johannesburg. It appears the defence will appeal to the high court over the arrest of Chang. The issue of bail continues to be debated, so Chang has been returned to jail, but to a private cell instead of one shared with other prisoners.

The bail argument is over the level of the offence. Schedules 5, 6, and 7 are the most serious - murder, violence, and large thefts and fraud. (https://www.yambu.co.za/bail-application/) Police can grant bail for lower level offences, but a court grants bail for higher levels. The magistrate says the offence is schedule 5. At Schedule 5, bail is not automatic and it remains with the defence to justify bail. The prosecution will argue that as Chang is accused by the US of obtaining $12 mn in bribes, so he has resources, thus the bail must be high and conditions strict.

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