Ex-DR Congo PM Sentenced to 10 Years' Forced Labour for $245M Corruption Scandal

In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, the Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo to ten years of forced labour after finding him guilty of embezzling approximately $245 million (about £182 million) in public funds.

The court also convicted Deogratias Mutombo, the former governor of the DR Congo’s central bank, in connection with the massive corruption case, which has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political and financial sectors.

Matata, who served as prime minister from 2012 to 2016, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

His lawyer strongly criticized the verdict, calling it a miscarriage of justice. Speaking to Reuters, the lawyer said, “The ruling was unfair and politically motivated.”

The high-profile case is one of the most significant anti-corruption prosecutions in recent Congolese history and could set a precedent for future efforts to hold top officials accountable. However, the verdict has also drawn scrutiny over alleged political interference and the impartiality of the judicial process.