Madlanga Commision asked to probe alleged corruption behind Frank Buyanga’s 'political' detention

Zimbabwean businessman Frank Buyanga Sadiqi has been held in South Africa for nearly three years without trial, amid claims that he is being targeted by powerful figures in his home country. Lawyers representing Buyanga say his detention is linked to personal and political disputes involving Zimbabwe’s presidential family, and that there is nefarious activity surrounding his case. According to his legal team, Buyanga became a target after he allegedly “involved with a woman” connected to one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons.

This, they argue, angered influential individuals in Zimbabwe who may have used their power to influence his arrest and detention abroad. Besides Buyanga being imprisoned for three years, the charge sheet is still incomplete and he is still denied bail. Buyanga’s lawyers have now approached the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in South Africa to expose the corruption working the police, alleging that the president and his family “pulled strings” to ensure he remained in custody without bail. They claim this interference has compromised the fairness of the legal process and could prevent him from receiving a just trial if extradited to Zimbabwe.

Buyanga, 43, was charged on 28 November 2022 in South Africa with fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act. Bail was denied at the time because he was also wanted in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean charges are connected to a long-running custody dispute with the mother of his minor child. The dispute escalated in 2020 when Buyanga allegedly took the child to South Africa without the mother’s consent.The legal situation grew more complicated when a South African police constable was arrested in connection with fraud and immigration violations linked to Buyanga’s case. Authorities say the officer may have mishandled Buyanga’s documents, adding to the allegations of political interference in Buyanga’s case.

In court filings, Buyanga accuses Zimbabwe’s former Prosecutor General, Kumbirai Hodzi, of misleading South African authorities. He claims Hodzi failed to inform them that the Zimbabwe Supreme Court had not dismissed his custody appeal on its merits, but had only declined jurisdiction. Buyanga and his lawyers argue that this omission was deliberate and contributed to his prolonged detention. Buyanga asserts that his legal troubles are politically motivated.Buyanga claims that the mother of his child is romantically involved with one of President Mnangagwa’s sons and that he is being punished “for taking the woman” of the president’s son. His lawyers insist that these personal and political dynamics have influenced both Zimbabwean and South African authorities.

Human rights organisations have criticised Buyanga’s detention, calling it a violation of South African and international law. They say keeping him imprisoned for nearly three years without trial constitutes arbitrary detention. Concerns escalated after Buyanga reportedly contracted pneumonia while in custody, with lawyers warning that prolonged incarceration under such conditions could amount to inhumane treatment.The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed to The Star that they will looking into the matter. “We will look into the matter with urgency. We believe in the rights of prisoners and that accused persons receive a fair trial. When we have all the details at our disposal we will certainly revert” the NPA said. 

This is a developing story.