Gécamines’ $10 Million Investigation Sparks Public Outcry and Protests
Following revelations of embezzlement exceeding $10 million within Gécamines, the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) has concluded its investigation.
The findings shed light on the opaque distribution of funds among Gécamines’ Board of Directors, sparking public outrage and demonstrations in Greater Katanga, particularly in Lubumbashi.
Amidst mounting pressure, Minister of State and Portfolio Minister faces the responsibility of addressing the disbursement of millions among Gécamines’ directors, neglecting urgent needs within the mining sector.
Close sources revealed the IGF’s investigation exposed the lack of transparency in misappropriating funds, diverting resources from crucial mining endeavors.
Calls for immediate action to curb this malpractice come from various quarters, urging Minister Adèle Kahinda to take swift precautionary measures.
Failure to act risks allegations of complicity or corruption against those implicated in this mismanagement of funds, which critics argue undermines the interests of the Republic, favoring a select few.
The IGF’s probe, initiated on November 10, scrutinized the transfer of $10 million from SMICO to over twenty Gécamines’ officials, consultants, and executives.
Resistance initially prevailed, with Guy-Robert Lukama, Gécamines’ PCA, eventually complying with the IGF’s summons, undergoing questioning late into the night on November 10.
It was the IGF that raised the alarm regarding the irregular allocation of $10 million from SMICO, Gécamines’ subsidiary, distributed among 27 individuals, disregarding fundamental governance protocols
