Title: General Smith Gihanga Mutara arrested in the case of the disappearance of 120 tons of copper cathodes from TFM
Introduction :
Major General Smith Gihanga Mutara was arrested in Kinshasa following his alleged involvement in the case of the disappearance of 120 tons of copper cathodes from Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM). This arrest was made by the military intelligence services (formerly DEMIAP) on Wednesday August 23. General Gihanga is temporarily detained for the purposes of the investigation, according to the Institute for Research in Human Rights (IRDH).
A flight of 120 tons of copper cathodes:
According to the IRDH, General Smith Gihanga is involved in the alleged theft of 120 tons of copper cathodes which were transported by the company Magic Logistique on behalf of TFM. These copper cathodes were transported to the 22nd military region of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), before disappearing aboard Howo trucks.
Legal proceedings expected:
IRDH hopes that General Gihanga will be judged fairly and impartially, so that he can present his defenses. The institute also calls for all those involved in this alleged theft to be prosecuted and tried.
Consequences of this arrest:
After General Gihanga’s arrest, Brigadier General Mwaku was appointed as interim head of the 22nd military region of Haut-Katanga. This case of the disappearance of copper cathodes has significant economic repercussions, in particular for TFM and the Congolese mining industry as a whole. It is essential that all the light is shed on this matter in order to restore confidence and guarantee transparency in the sector.
Conclusion :
The arrest of Major General Smith Gihanga Mutara in the case of the disappearance of 120 tons of copper cathodes from TFM highlights the challenges of the fight against corruption and the theft of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is essential that this case be handled with rigor and that all those responsible are held to account. This will help build investor confidence and promote the country’s sustainable development