Last week, the court decided, “for technical reasons,” to postpone the ruling on the case of alleged embezzlement of about $19 million to Monday, September 1. However, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) took the initiative to postpone it to Tuesday, September 2.

However, according to Joel Kitenge, one of Constant Mutamba’s lawyers, the hearing at which the Court of Cassation’s decision was to be issued in his client’s case is still scheduled for this Monday, as they were never officially notified of the postponement.

According to the CSM, the delay in delivering the verdict in this trial meets procedural requirements and allows the judges to decide calmly and rigorously, taking into account all the elements in a case with a large number of witnesses and defense attorneys.

However, local media are describing this action as a maneuver to dissuade the former minister’s supporters, who demonstrated last week awaiting the decision, prompting the mobilization of a large police force.

Mutamba has been at the center of disagreements with the judiciary since taking office in May 2024, and for the newspaper Le Quotidien, his struggle represented a ray of hope for the populations affected by the malpractice of the Congolese judicial system.

For this reason, both the former Justice Minister’s defense team and his supporters claim that the proceedings against him are a move intended to remove him from political life and discredit him as a figure.

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