Organizations Urge President Tshisekedi to Pursue Embezzlement Cases at Gécamines
In a joint press release, the Public Expenditure Observatory (ODEP) and the African Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADHO) have called upon President Félix Tshisekedi to urgently take measures to initiate legal proceedings against those allegedly involved in embezzling nearly $24.7 million from the Générale des Carrières et des Mines (Gécamines).
Florimond Muteba, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ODEP, and Jean-Claude Katende, National President of ASADHO, have urged President Tshisekedi to direct the Minister of Justice to promptly transmit these cases to the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation for legal action.
According to information gathered by both organizations, these cases were handed over by the Prosecutor General at the Court of Auditors to the Minister of Justice four months ago but have yet to be forwarded to the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation.
“This silence confirms the impunity of several individuals implicated by the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) and the Court of Auditors,” emphasized ODEP and ASADHO.
Furthermore, ODEP and ASADHO assert that the Minister of Justice’s inaction discourages efforts to enhance public finance management and fosters a culture of impunity.
They stress the necessity of concerted action by all institutions to ensure that suspected wrongdoers face serious consequences.
It is noteworthy that the implicated files revolve around allegations of embezzlement of public funds involving various individuals, including Deogratias Mutombo Mwana Nyembo, Albert Yuma Mulimbi, Freddy Mungaza Beya, Jacques Kamenga, and Guy Ngongo Okende.
Through their press release, ODEP and ASADHO remind that the Deputy Minister of Justice had pledged to transfer these files to the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation for legal proceedings.
