Rawbank has informed the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that it has transferred back to the government account $19 million previously embezzled by former Justice Minister Constant Mutamba Tungunga.
This confirmation was made in a letter sent by the bank’s legal representatives to Prosecutor General Firmin Mvonde Mambu on September 5, 2025, following a court ruling.
According to Rawbank, the funds had been deposited in the account of a company called Zion Construction, but have now been redirected to the FRIVAO fund, a special account established by the Ministry of Justice to finance development initiatives for the people of Kisangani.
During the trial, which began in July, Mutamba defended himself by claiming that he had not embezzled the money earmarked for the construction of Kisangani Prison, arguing instead that it had been transferred to Zion Construction, the company awarded the contract.
However, after reviewing the evidence and testimonies, the judges ruled on September 2 that Mutamba had in fact diverted the funds through the fictitious company, and ordered him to return the money to the government’s account.
In addition to repaying the funds, Mutamba was sentenced to three years of community service, stripped of his right to hold public office, and barred from voting or standing for election for the next five years.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
