Former DRC PM Sentenced to Ten Years of Forced Labor for Embezzlement
12:06 21.05.2025 (Updated: 12:24 21.05.2025)
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Former DRC PM Sentenced to Ten Years of Forced Labor for Embezzlement
The Constitutional Court also sentenced ex-PM Augustin Matata Ponyo to:
⦁ five-year ineligibility;
⦁ immediate arrest;
⦁ seizure of assets proportional to embezzled funds.
The court characterized the offense as a "criminal enterprise" involving unreasonable overbilling under Matata's control.
Funds misused:
⦁ $156.8 million intended for the Bukanga-Lonzo agro-industrial park;
⦁ $89 million fraudulently diverted with South African national Christo Grobler.
Ponyo served as PM under ex-President Joseph Kabila from 2012 to 2016. The DRC Senate is currently considering a case to remove Kabila's immunity over accusations of backing M23 rebels.
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