The ministry of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a probe into the embezzlement of over $300 million from state miner Gecamines between 2012 and 2020,
According to the justice ministry statement, Gecamines, which hold minority stakes in several of the world’s largest copper and cobalt projects, have long been dogged by accusations of corruption made by non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians.
Congo’s public finances watchdog, the General Inspectorate of Finances (IGF), found in 2022 that more than $400 million in tax advances and loans that Gecamines said it paid to the national treasury could not be found.
In his report, the missing $413 million were presumed to have been misappropriated and that auditors would continue their investigations.
Meanwhile, Gecamines has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Reuters/Shakirat Sadiq
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