The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Minister of State for Justice, Constant Mutamba Tungumba, has been barred from leaving the capital, Kinshasa, as authorities investigate his alleged involvement in the misuse of public funds tied to a major prison construction project. Attorney General Firmin Mvonde Mambu formally directed the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) to restrict Mutamba’s movements, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need to prevent potential interference in the ongoing inquiry. At the centre of the investigation is a controversial $19 million advance payment made in April 2025 to Zion Construction, a little-known company selected to build a new prison in Kisangani. Lawmakers and prosecutors allege that the payment was funneled into a private account without proper authorization—and despite the firm’s apparent lack of capacity to carry out the project. To date, no construction has taken place.
Legal proceedings against Mutamba were approved on Sunday, 15 June, during a plenary session of the National Assembly. Out of 363 members present, 322 voted in favor of lifting the minister’s immunity, enabling prosecution. Only 29 voted against the measure, while 12 abstained. The vote was held under Articles 153 and 166 of the Congolese Constitution, which outline the process for prosecuting sitting government officials. The probe gained momentum after a special parliamentary committee, formed on 11 June, found serious procedural breaches in the awarding and management of the prison contract. Their findings supported the Attorney General’s move to initiate legal action.
This scandal marks a significant blow to President Félix Tshisekedi’s administration, which has publicly committed to cracking down on corruption. Analysts say the outcome of the case could set an important precedent for government accountability ahead of upcoming reforms in the justice sector. Mutamba has not publicly responded to the allegations, and it remains unclear whether formal charges will be filed in the coming days. However, judicial sources confirm that the investigation is entering a critical phase, with interviews of key figures scheduled to begin this week.
