Former Democratic Republic of Congo Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo has been sentenced to 10 years of forced labour for embezzling $245 million in public funds. The Constitutional Court also handed a five-year sentence to Deogratias Mutombo, ex-governor of the central bank.
The funds were allegedly stolen from the Bukanga-Lonzo Agro-Industrial Park, a major agricultural project meant to fight food insecurity. Matata, who served as PM from 2012 to 2016, denied wrongdoing, calling the trial politically motivated.
The court also banned both men from holding public office for five years after serving their sentences. Forced labour is legal in the DRC as a criminal penalty.
