For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: South Africa to file Gupta extradition request within 60 days, NPA refuses to prosecute Downer, paving way for Zuma’s private prosecution and, Treasury stalwart Ismail Momoniat appointed as acting director-general

South Africa to file Gupta extradition request within 60 days

South Africa’s government plans to file a request within two months with the United Arab Emirates for the extradition of the Gupta brothers who are wanted on charges of money laundering and fraud.

Ministry of Justice spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said cooperation between the authorities on returning Rajesh and Atul Gupta to South Africa is “proceeding well.

In terms of a treaty signed between South Africa and the UAE in June 2021, South Africa has 60 days in which to lodge its extradition request.

The men allegedly masterminded the looting of billions of dollars from South African state entities during former President Jacob Zuma’s nine-year rule.

NPA refuses to prosecute Downer, paving way for Zuma’s private prosecution

Former president Jacob Zuma has been authorised to prosecute advocate Bill Downer privately.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal issued a certificate which allowed someone with direct interest in a case to pursue private prosecution.

Mhaga said Downer has the NPA's full support and will continue to lead the prosecution team against Zuma and Thales. 

Treasury stalwart Ismail Momoniat appointed as acting director-general

Long-serving Treasury official Ismail Momoniat has been appointed as acting director-general. 

Momoniat brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served National Treasury for 27 years, of which 22 years have been instrumental in leadership of the organisation as a deputy director-general.

According to the ministry, Momoniat's time at Treasury was spent formulating and designing the policy and legislative framework for the fiscal and financial governance and accountability system for the public sector, the intergovernmental fiscal framework, and the tax and financial regulatory system.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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