Money returned by Chang is deposited in the Bank of Mozambique

The Bank of Mozambique has been keeping the approximately US$7 million returned by Manuel Chang “for a long time”, said he central bank governor yesterday. Speaking at a press conference in the central bank’s Maputo headquarters, Rogério Zandamela maintained that it is time to celebrate the decision of the London Court rather than anticipating the more than US$2 billion yet to come. The announcement of more than US$2 billion in favour of Mozambique in the London court ruling on the ‘hidden debts’ case is good news and should be celebrated, Bank of Mozambique governor Rogério Zandamela says.

Zandamela distances himself from those who think that the money will never enter the coffers of the Mozambican state. “This is the time to celebrate, to hope that everything goes well. Nothing is easy. A country does not develop by easy things,” he said.

Regarding the benefits of the funds that could be channelled to the country, Zandamela explains: “We will celebrate with faith that this money will come in. We have to be proud of what we have achieved. We have to stop this idea that good things happen to people and bad things happen because we are incompetent. Good things are the result of effort.”

Zandamela confirmed that Mozambique received the money returned by Manuel Chang and says it is in the central bank’s custody. “It has been with us for a long time, a long time, twoyears,  three? It was before Covid. Until the prosecutor’s office and the courts decide, we are the custodians of this amount,” he explained. When asked about other amounts that may have been returned by the defendants in the context of undeclared debts, Rogério Zandamela offered no comment.

READ: Mozambique: Country expects to receive $1.9B after London ‘hidden debts’ ruling – PGR

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Mozambique: Justice has $7 million returned by Manuel Chang, under PGR custody – Watch