Trial of DRC’s former Justice Minister Constant Mutamba postponed for two weeks
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Former DRC Justice Minister Constant Mutamba appears at court in Kinshasa before the judge postpones his trial for two weeks.
Trial of Former DRC Justice Minister Constant Mutamba Delayed Amid Corruption Allegations
The corruption trial of Constant Mutamba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s former Minister of Justice, has been postponed for two weeks after an initial court session in the capital, Kinshasa.
Mutamba, who stepped down from his post last month, is facing serious accusations of embezzling $19 million in state funds earmarked for the construction of a prison in the northern city of Kisangani.
The case has gripped national headlines, as Mutamba previously positioned himself as a strong anti-corruption advocate and even ran for president in 2023. The court proceedings were briefly opened but quickly adjourned, allowing more time for legal preparation and evidence review. The next session has been scheduled for later this month.
A Dramatic Fall from Grace
Mutamba has firmly denied the allegations against him. In a fiery statement, he dismissed the charges as politically motivated and alleged foreign interference.
“After escaping several attempts at poisoning and physical elimination, the mafia networks—including those infiltrated in the service of our enemies—succeeded in humiliating me because of my commitment,” Mutamba said in court, implying the case is part of a broader scheme orchestrated by Rwandan intelligence.
The former justice minister has also accused Rwanda of attempting to assassinate him, although no independent verification has been provided to support his claims.
Analysts believe these remarks could be part of a broader effort to deflect attention from the charges, especially given the historical tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali.
A Controversial Tenure
Appointed Justice Minister in 2024, Mutamba was once viewed as a rising political figure in the DRC. His presidential campaign the year before focused on reform, nationalism, and clean governance—themes that now stand in stark contrast to the charges he faces.
However, his tenure as minister was marked by inflammatory rhetoric and controversial policy proposals. Earlier this year, Mutamba sparked outrage when he called for the death penalty for journalists who covered the activities of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
In a social media post, he wrote, “Anyone who reports on the activities of the Rwandan army and its M23 auxiliaries will now suffer the full force of the law.”
The post was condemned by press freedom advocates and civil society organizations, who accused him of inciting violence against journalists and curtailing freedom of expression.
“Mutamba’s statements represented a dangerous threat to democratic accountability in a country already struggling with human rights abuses,” said a spokesperson for the Congolese Journalists Union.
A Country at a Crossroads
The DRC is no stranger to political scandal. Chronic corruption, instability, and conflict have plagued the mineral-rich but economically fragile nation of over 100 million people. Infrastructure development, including essential institutions like prisons, has been hampered by decades of mismanagement.
“Mutamba styled himself as a reformer, but if these allegations are proven true, it would underscore just how deep the rot runs within our institutions,” said political analyst Jean-Claude Makengo.
The stakes are high for President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, which has promised to clean up government operations and root out financial misconduct. The outcome of this case will be closely watched both nationally and internationally as a litmus test of judicial independence in the country.
Awaiting Justice
Mutamba remains free pending trial, though legal experts expect that the hearing will resume with a more robust examination of financial records and testimony from government contractors involved in the Kisangani prison project.
Observers say the coming weeks could be critical for the trajectory of Mutamba’s political future—and for how Congolese institutions handle high-level corruption.
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