The story of the accusation brought against the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation Firmin Mvonde by the inter-union of Congolese magistrates has sparked strong reactions and questions. Indeed, the prosecutor is accused of exposing magistrates to “popular vindictiveness” by providing three toll-free numbers to denounce “crooked magistrates”.
This measure is contested by many actors in the Congolese judicial system. The general secretary of the inter-union of magistrates, Henri Dianda, emphasizes that the discipline of magistrates must not be ensured by accusations coming from all sides, via anonymous calls. He fears that this openness will lead to unfounded denunciations and expose magistrates to popular vindictiveness.
A senior magistrate emeritus agrees with this position by emphasizing the risks of opening Pandora’s box. According to him, abusive denunciations risk overwhelming the Attorney General and his services, and making their work more difficult.
However, the Attorney General justifies this measure by highlighting the fight against corruption, extortion and other evils which are corroding the Congolese judiciary. He affirms that corrupt magistrates will no longer go unpunished and that these toll-free numbers are a means of collecting information and evidence to act effectively.
This provision of toll-free numbers comes in a context where the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi, declares himself dissatisfied with the results of Congolese justice. He considers that the justice system is destroying the nation and wants concrete actions to improve the situation.
Faced with this controversy, it is important to take into account the different positions expressed. On the one hand, the inter-union of magistrates and certain senior magistrates warn against the risks of abusive denunciations and popular vindictiveness. On the other hand, the Attorney General wishes to fight against corruption and abuses within the Congolese judiciary.
It is essential to find a balance between the protection of magistrates and the fight against dysfunctions in the judicial system. Control and verification mechanisms should be established to avoid abuse and guarantee the credibility of denunciations. Transparency and accountability must be taken into account in managing this delicate situation.
Ultimately, it is up to the Congolese authorities to find balanced solutions that respond to the legitimate concerns of magistrates while allowing an effective fight against corruption and abuse. The current situation highlights the importance of structural reforms to strengthen the Congolese judicial system and restore the population’s confidence in justice.