On Saturday, March 2, 2024, the bustling streets of Lisala bore witness to a dramatic incident involving a Directorate General of Migration (DGM) agent and the manager of a money transfer company. Our journalist, on their way to Kinshasa, found themselves at the center of an altercation that quickly spiraled into a distressing spectacle outside the GBS/Lisala travel agency.
The confrontation began when DGM agent Maurice Vungbo Zande attempted to compel the manager of SOFICOM Transfert, a Lebanese national, to unpack two cash-containing packages destined for Kinshasa, right in the midst of the airport. Confronted with this alarming situation, the GBS agency manager had no choice but to contact local law enforcement to prevent any potential loss of passengers’ belongings.
Tensions soared as the manager of the money transfer company was subsequently arrested, handcuffed, and escorted to the police station in full view of shocked bystanders and the DGM agent. The situation escalated further when Maurice Vungbo directed disrespectful comments towards his superiors, displaying a concerning lack of restraint and professionalism.
In response to this unsettling incident, the head of DGM in Lisala strongly denounced Maurice Vungbo’s aggressive behavior towards the SOFICOM Transfert manager. Subsequent discussions revealed that the manager had not refused to cooperate with the search but had preferred a more discreet location to carry it out, a challenging prospect given the crowded nature of the premises.
The incident reverberated to Kinshasa, where Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kazadi, in charge of Interior and Security, demanded clarifications from the Governor of Mongala and the Commissioner General of the National Police (PNC). The Commissioner General promptly ordered the immediate release of the SOFICOM manager upon realizing that the money transfer operation had not violated any laws and that the entire incident could have been avoided.
Beyond the isolated event, questions surfaced regarding the internal dynamics and conflicts within the DGM office in Lisala. Positive initiatives such as infrastructure renovations and improved working conditions for agents under the interim leadership of Claude Pezo Muanda hinted at a potential revival for this long-neglected public service.
Suggestions arose that underlying interests and internal power struggles might have triggered this regrettable episode. It is speculated that it might not have been a standalone dispute but rather a broader scheme to undermine a dedicated and efficient provincial leadership.
This incident prompts a deeper reflection on governance and operational practices within the DGM, underscoring the necessity for enhanced transparency and stricter management to ensure the effective functioning of this vital public institution.
The unfolding events will unveil whether this incident was an isolated anomaly or indicative of deeper systemic issues within the Congolese public administration. It is a situation that warrants close observation and monitoring.