The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a landmark judicial ruling with the conviction of former Minister of Justice Constant Mutamba.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Kinshasa Court of Cassation found the 37-year-old politician guilty of embezzling $19 million intended for the construction of a prison in Kisangani.
Mutamba, a trained lawyer who served as Minister of Justice in 2024, was sentenced to three years of forced labor, five years of ineligibility, and a ban on holding any public office.
The court also ordered restitution of the misappropriated funds and coverage of court costs.
“The Court finds that these repeated violations of procedural rules and the haste in awarding this contract were intended to capture state funds in order to fraudulently enrich the company Zion Construction,” Judge Jacques Kabasele said during the verdict.
The prosecution had initially requested a ten-year hard labor sentence along with an extended prohibition on voting, being elected, or holding public office.
The court opted for a more moderate approach, though the conviction still carries profound political consequences. Mutamba was immediately taken into custody by the Congolese National Police, while his supporters, who had gathered outside his Kinshasa residence the previous night, were dispersed.
Throughout the trial, Mutamba presented himself as a target of political persecution. In his final address on August 13, he drew comparisons to historical figures such as Nelson Mandela, Lula da Silva, Patrice Lumumba, and Étienne Tshisekedi, even visiting the mausoleums of the latter two to pay homage.
This strategy reinforced his image among followers as a victim of a politically motivated judicial system.
The conviction effectively ends Mutamba’s immediate political ambitions, preventing him from participating in the 2028 presidential election unless circumstances change dramatically.
Observers note that the trial carries significant symbolic weight in a country often shaken by corruption scandals. As former Minister of Justice, Mutamba’s downfall underscores the contradictions faced by public officials entrusted with upholding legal integrity.
While his supporters claim the ruling is politically motivated, government officials present it as evidence of the state’s resolve to fight impunity and strengthen accountability in public administration.
The case is expected to remain a reference point in the ongoing struggle against corruption in the DRC.
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