Democratic Republic of Congo’s main opposition Ensemble Pour la Republique leader Moïse Katumbi has once again voiced out his demand for the prosecution of the government officials involved over-billing of the borehole drilling and street lighting projects.
Over US$400 million was spent from the coffers of the Congolese fund for the drilling just 1000 boreholes and an additional US$13 million for the installation of street lights in Kinshasa ahead of the Francophone Games earlier this year.
However, none of the two projects have been completed despite having government through former Minister of Finance Nicolas Kazadi who approved both payments.
Katumbi has since called on authorities to ensure those responsibility for the embezzlement of the public funds are prosecuted and the funds recovered to sort out several problems the country faces, including payment of arrears owed to soldiers at the war front in the east.
“While soldiers starving and abandoned for 5 days risk the death penalty simply for trying to feed themselves… We learn that hundreds of millions of dollars were allegedly embezzled through rigged public contracts. Drilling, street lamps, the Francophone Games and the financial city were overcharged beyond belief” Katumbi wrote on X.
Katumbi shares the plight of his Congolese compatriots compatriots who are suffering in refugee camps while government officials continue to embezzle funds that would go long in providing humanitarian support.
The former Katanga Province Governor calls on government under Félix Tshisekedi end the impunity that has perpetrated in method of management for several years.
“It is time for those responsible for these thefts to be pursued, judged and condemned. The embezzled money must be returned to the Treasury and impunity must end” he wrote.
Katumbi also expressed concerned about the situation of the less privileged and other people that have been neglected in face of the war as well as “thousands of abandoned orphans and Congolese families – who – can no longer even feed their children”.
Faced with this “crucial question of dignity for all DR Congolese” and “social justice”, Katumbi calls on leaders to develop a sense “responsibility of leaders”.
Aside Kazadi, Guy Mikulu and François Rubota, both former Ministers of Development, have also been implicated in the embezzlement and have both been detained at Makala Central Prison awaiting the opening of the trial.
Kazadi returned to the country earlier this week, after undergoing medical treatment in France and has not yet been tried as he is still enjoys his immunities.
