Former Kinshasa provincial finance minister Guy Matondo is hopefully awaiting the decision on his provisional release on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. He was before the judges of the Court of Cassation last Monday, following a complaint filed by the President of the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly.
The defendant first explained to the members of the composition that this complaint was a personal matter since there is no document in the file to prove that Guy Matondo was charged by the Provincial Assembly, whose decisions are still subject to a vote.
At the same time, these lawyers requested the provisional release of their client, on the grounds that the detention at the Kinshasa Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Centre, according to the time required by law, was 15 days.
Therefore, if at the time of the opening of this trial the time limit had already been exceeded, the release of the latter is obvious in order to continue to respond to the invitations of the courts.
The judges of the court essentially asked the person concerned for clarification. Among these questions is a general overview of the financial management of the city of Kinshasa.
It was discussed to understand the order established in revenues as well as in expenditures, tools and staff required in this chain. The composition also wanted to know the exact date of Guy Matondo’s cessation of activities as a minister.
« I was suspended on May 8, 2019, even before the handover and resumed with my replacement, » said the accused.
According to the defence lawyers, their client had not been notified of his suspension in writing, nor had the Provincial Assembly given written approval for this action.
In view of these elements, the Court promised to rule on the provisional release order on Wednesday 18 September 2019, in accordance with the time limit prescribed by law.
A next hearing is scheduled for the next two weeks. The Court will call on representatives of the Provincial Government, the Kinshasa Provincial Assembly, and some officials close to the former Minister of Finance for further clarification.
Emilie MBOYO