DR Congo: Former Prime Minister Matata Ponyo to Serve 10 Years in Prison for Embezzlement, Alongside Central Bank Governor

The Constitutional Court of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced former Prime Minister Augustin Ponyo to 10 years of forced labour for embezzling $245 million from a failed farming project.

Ponyo was convicted in absentia alongside former central bank governor Déogratias Mutombo and South African businessman Christo Grobler. Both men were sentenced to five years in prison with hard labour. However, none of the three is currently in custody. Authorities say Ponyo is still in Kinshasa, while Grobler is believed to be in South Africa and Mutombo in Belgium.

The case centres on the Bukanga Lonzo Agro-Industrial Park, launched in 2014 under former President Joseph Kabila. The project aimed to turn 80,000 hectares of land into a major corn farm, but despite over $250 million in funding, it collapsed by 2017 with little to show for it.

An audit by Ernst & Young flagged serious issues, which included overpricing and incomplete infrastructure. Investigators also found that contracts were awarded without due process, and that one of the companies involved had links to Ponyo’s wife.

Ponyo attempted to invoke parliamentary immunity, but the court dismissed the claim. The Court President said, “Immunity protects the office, not the person. Ponyo became a member of parliament while case proceedings had already been initiated.”

Ponyo has denied the charges and claims the case is politically motivated. However, the failed project also raised human rights concerns. Residents have reported land grabs, pollution, and exposure to harmful chemicals. A 2020 government visit also revealed abandoned machinery and unused facilities.

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