Fatshimetrie, July 22, 2024 – The resumption of hearings in the case of embezzlement of the Bukanga Lonzo agro-industrial park, located in the Kwango province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been postponed until November 11, due to the request for dismissal for health reasons of Mr. Christo Stéphanus Grobler, one of the suspects involved.
This case, which notably involves Senator Augustin Matata Ponyo and the former Minister Delegate for Finance, Patrice Kitebi, as well as South African citizen Kristo Glober, dates back to May 2021 when it was opened before the Constitutional Court. In November of the same year, the Court decided not to prosecute the former Prime Minister, thus ending the charges against him.
Initially scheduled to appear before the Court of Cassation in June 2022, the trial got off to a timid start with only three hearings devoted to the identification of the accused and their lawyers. According to the Congolese Constitution, the Constitutional Court is competent to judge the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister for offenses committed in the exercise of their functions.
The Bukanga Lonzo agro-industrial park, a flagship project inaugurated in July 2014 by former Head of State Joseph Kabila, aimed to encourage greater agricultural production in the country. However, nine years later, the results have not lived up to expectations and suspicions of embezzlement have emerged.
According to the report from the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) which led to the prosecution of Matata and his accomplices, more than 205 million dollars out of the 285 disbursed by the Public Treasury were allegedly embezzled in the context of the management of this emblematic project.
This case highlights the issues of governance and transparency in the management of public funds in the DRC. It also underlines the importance of independent and impartial justice to fight corruption and ensure accountability of political and economic leaders.
The postponement of the hearing until November 11 suggests new developments in this affair, which continues to arouse the interest and indignation of Congolese public opinion. The fallout from this trial could have major implications for the fight against corruption and the improvement of governance in the DRC. Let us wait to see how justice will decide in this case which echoes the country’s persistent challenges in terms of resource management and the fight against corruption.