Kamerhe trial in DRC: hearings shed light on the process of disbursing funds

Text by: RFI Follow

The trial involving Vital Kamerhe, director of cabinet of Félix Tshisekedi, and two other co-defendants continues at Makala central prison, in Kinshasa. This lawsuit concerns the management of funds dedicated to prefabricated house projects as part of Félix Tshisekedi's emergency program. During the hearing on Thursday, June 4, several witnesses appeared, including former ministers. 

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With our correspondent in Kinshasa , Patient Ligodi

The hearing of witnesses allowed the court to be informed on several anomalies in the process of the disbursement of funds. Marcellin Bilomba, chief adviser to the Head of State for economic affairs, revealed at the bar that $ 66,700,000 had been paid to Samibo SARL for 1,500 prefabricated houses.

He maintained that he had left the coordination of the 100-day program because of a lack of transparency and accused Vital Kamerhé of having set up this system. Marcellin Bilomba spoke of "  a crude montage, an intellectual misappropriation  ".

For his part, Pierre Kangudia Mbayi, former Minister of the Budget, assured the bar that the payments were made in emergency procedure by going directly to the Minister of Finance, on the decision of the director of cabinet of Félix Tshisekedi.  

For his part, Henri Yav Mulang, former Minister of Finance, explained that all payments were made on the basis of a disbursement plan concocted for the President of the Republic and on the basis of a letter from Vital Kamerhe.

The latter once again proclaimed his innocence and maintained that all the decisions taken were on the instruction of the President of the Republic. He even promised to show “under the seal of secrecy” to the court certain annotations made by Félix Tshisekedi.

The court also called General Major Christian Tshiwewe, commander of the Republican Guard, to testify. The latter reported that Félix Tshisekedi was satisfied with the work carried out by the Samih Jammal society at Camp Tshatshi and had asked that other prefabricated houses be built for the benefit of the military.

► Read also: DRC: Vital Kamerhe and the 50 million dollars from Samibo

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