DR Congo: Ex-justice minister convicted of embezzlement in construction project

A former justice minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Constant Mutamba has been convicted for the embezzlement of million of dollars allocated for a prison construction in the city of Kisangani.

A court sentenced him to three years’ forced labour on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Following his arrest, some supporters of the former minister have taken to the streets to protest.

Clashes between activists and police in the capital, Kinshasa, last week compelled the copurt to postpone the verdict.

Mutamba, 37, served as justice minister under President Felix Tshisekedi in 2024 and 2025.

Congo’s attorney general received authorization to prosecute him earlier in May, 2025.

Constat Mutamba resigned from his position in June following the commencement of the case against him which involves $19 million while denying the accusations.

Delivering the verdict and sentence at the Court of Cassation, presiding judge Jacques Kabasele also barred Mutamba from standing for election for five years after serving his sentence.

Constant Mutamba earlier this year supported the launch of legal proceedings against former President Joseph Kabila over his alleged links to the M23 rebel group.