Johannesburg – The legal team representing incarcerated filthy rich Zimbabwean businessman Frank Buyanga Sadiqi have raised serious concerns about his deteriorating health while in detention in South Africa, and have called for an expedited review of his case.
Reports from South Africa indicate that Buyanga has fallen ill in prison, prompting his lawyers to petition the South African Judiciary for urgent intervention.
Buyanga, through his legal representatives at Hamilton Foundation, maintains that his continued detention contravenes section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which stipulates that an arrested person must be brought before a court within 48 hours. Despite offering R12 million as bail, his request was denied.
“Sadiqi has fallen ill in hospital. He has been subjected to unlawful detention, procedural irregularities and a blatant miscarriage of justice,” his lawyers stated. “His detention contravenes section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which mandates that an arrested person must be brought before a court within 48 hours.”
Buyanga was arrested on November 29, 2022, but was only brought before a court for his first appearance on December 7, 2022, a clear violation of the 48-hour mandate, according to his legal team.
His lawyers have also alleged abuse of power by the South African Hawks, claiming they registered a parallel criminal docket against immigration practitioners who assisted Buyanga, acting beyond their legal mandate.
“The Hawks registered a parallel criminal docket against immigration practitioners who assisted Sadiqi, acting beyond their legal mandate,” the lawyers said. “There is also false allegations and lack of evidence: The State’s case against Sadiqi lacks prima facie evidence and the complainant’s credibility has been severely compromised.”
Furthermore, Buyanga’s lawyers have refuted allegations that their client conspired to escape from prison, stating that these claims are fabricated to deny him bail. “This allegation has further compromised his right to a fair trial,” they asserted.
Recently, Buyanga’s lawyers petitioned the South African presidency, demanding his release following his detention in a Johannesburg facility over allegations of kidnapping, fraud and financial crimes in 2022.
The lawyers are demanding Buyanga’s immediate and unconditional release, the dismissal of all charges, and a thorough investigation into the alleged abuses of power by the Hawks, SAPS, and other involved authorities. They have appealed to the judicial and executive community, human rights organisations, and all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with Sadiqi.
“The Judiciary is urged to expedite the review of Sadiqi’s case and ensure that justice is served without further delay,” the lawyers said. “As reported earlier, Sadiqi’s detention has taken a toll on his health, with reports indicating that he has fallen sick in prison. His supporters argue that his prosecution is ‘concocted and malicious’ and that he has been denied his fundamental rights, including access to private medical healthcare.”
