The scandal of the Bukanga Lonzo affair and the defendants Augustin Matata, Grobler Christo Stephanus and Deogratias Mutombo continues to make headlines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This affair, which began when it appeared that the Bukanga Lonzo agro-industrial park project, led by former Prime Minister Augustin Matata, had encountered numerous logistical and embezzlement problems, sparked strong indignation within Congolese public opinion.
During the hearing held yesterday at the Constitutional Court, the question of the jurisdiction of the court to judge this case was addressed. The Court ruled on the seizure of the defendants, noting that the exploits concerning Senator Augustin Matata were not deposited at his residence due to the absence of his staff. Likewise, for the defendant Grobler Christo Stephanus, the clerk’s exploits indicated two different addresses, thus making the entry irregular. Only the accused Deogratias Mutombo Muana Nyembo was seized regularly at his address in Kinshasa.
The Constitutional Court therefore postponed the hearing of this case until September 4, 2023, in order to allow the registrar to dispatch summons to the exact addresses of the two defendants not regularly reached. The defense lawyers also expressed their difficulties in accessing the file, which led the First President of the Court to instruct the registrar to resolve this situation as of Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
The Bukanga Lonzo affair was marked by an alleged embezzlement of $205 million out of the $285 million disbursed in 2014 for the Agro-industrial Park project. Delays in the implementation of the project, logistical problems and conflicts of interest between the different partners have aroused the anger of the Congolese population. The park has become a symbol of waste and inefficiency, with equipment left unused and abandoned.
This case once again highlights the problems of corruption and mismanagement that persist in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The population expects answers and exemplary sanctions for those responsible for these embezzlements. Let us hope that justice will be able to shed light on this matter and restore the confidence of the Congolese people in their institutions.