The DR Congo justice minister, Constant Mutamba, cannot leave Kinshasa after Parliament lifted his immunity and approved his prosecution. Authorities accuse him of embezzling $19 million meant for building Kisangani Prison in Tshopo Province.
Legal Grounds and Travel Ban
On June 16, 2025, Prosecutor General Firmin Mvonde issued a formal travel ban in a letter to the Directorate General of Migration. The directive invoked Article 83 of Organic Law No. 13/010, which governs Court of Cassation procedures.
“I hereby inform you that… I have decided to prohibit the above-mentioned Mutamba from leaving the City of Kinshasa,” the letter stated. This came a day after 322 out of 363 MPs voted to lift Mutamba’s immunity. Only 29 opposed, and 12 abstained.
Parliament Vote and Mutamba’s Testimony
A special commission had investigated the missing prison funds. When summoned, Mutamba admitted that the money had gone to a fictitious company. He apologized in public but insisted that political enemies had orchestrated the situation.
Mutamba blamed senior officials, including Mvonde, for targeting him unfairly. His defense claimed that the prosecution was less about justice and more about political revenge.
A Swift Rise Followed by a Sudden Fall
Mutamba became Justice Minister in May 2024, after building a reputation as a bold critic of corruption. At just 37, he represented a new generation of public servants promising reform.
Yet, within a year, citizens questioned his sudden accumulation of wealth. Leaks revealed that he had authorized a no-bid $29 million contract with Zion Construction, transferring $19 million just one day after the company opened its account. The funds did not come from the state treasury but from FRIVAO, a reparations agency under his control.
Escalating Political Tensions
Mutamba argued that his feud with Prime Minister Judith Suminwa fueled the scandal. He also claimed that Mvonde purchased a €900,000 home in Belgium, suggesting that the prosecutor himself should face investigation.
Despite these claims, legal proceedings are now underway. Mutamba must appear before the Court of Cassation, and observers widely expect him to resign under pressure.
Implications for DR Congo’s Justice System
Mutamba, once considered a symbol of reform, now faces potential imprisonment. His downfall serves as a warning about internal power struggles and the fragility of institutional accountability in DR Congo.
The government has framed this case as part of its anti-corruption efforts. However, critics argue that selective prosecution risks undermining credibility if deeper systemic issues remain ignored.
For additional context, read about the strain on Congo’s military budget, the Qatar-brokered ceasefire with M23, or explore the M23’s push for a breakaway Kivu republic.
