DRC: Safricas boss transferred to Makala prison after his arrest

Text by: RFI Follow

The businessman David Blattner was transferred this Friday, February 21, to Makala prison. Detained since Wednesday, the boss of the construction company Safricas was heard in connection with the suspicion of embezzlement of the money dedicated to the grade separations in Kinshasa.

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These infrastructure works had been announced by President Tshisekedi almost a year ago, as part of his so-called "100 days" program. One year after the announcement, the work is still not finished . And while the presidency was questioned over its management, the head of state had asked for an audit. This request now leads to this first arrest.

According to the Council of Ministers report, this is an arrest for investigative purposes. Not all the pieces necessary for the manifestation of the truth have been gathered. The boss of Safricas was not the only one to be arrested. The head of Crec 7, one of the Chinese companies involved in the work, is also said to have been " detained for a long time " for his hearing, but has since been released.

The objective of this investigation, according to the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Justice, is to respond to the anger of the population, annoyed by the lack of progress in the work. Proof, still according to the Keeper of the Seals, that a new justice is being set up in Congo.

The population was starting to get angry and it was quite normal for the state services to try to understand what had happened. Is it a money problem, a procedural problem?

Célestin Tunda Ya Kasende

In the entourage of David Blattner, we denounce an arrest without purpose, for " breach of trust " and not embezzlement of public funds, it is believed. Safricas would have received only 40% of the money promised by the presidency on October 16, reason for the stoppage of work. An additional three million would have been released and paid out this week, hours before David Blattner's arrest, which is far from enough.

For civil society, the investigation must go back to the presidency and its officials must also be questioned about this management. Requests have been sent, ensures the Keeper of the Seals, there will be no justice at two speeds, he promises.

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