DR Congo Arrests Suspect in Businessman Amisi’s Murder

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of Congo authorities have arrested a key suspect in the murder of Congolese businessman Amisi Issa Vally in neighbouring Republic of Congo, marking a breakthrough in a high-profile investigation that has drawn attention across the region.

Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa on Monday morning said Mukena Mwepu Bénie was apprehended in Brazzaville through judicial cooperation between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.

“This important development results from the close judicial cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo,” Ngefa said, addingthat procedures to transfer the suspect to Kinshasa are underway.

The government said the transfer would be conducted in accordance with the law while respecting the suspect’s fundamental rights and the presumption of innocence.

The arrest follows the killing of Vally, a Congolese businessman based in Pretoria, South Africa, who was found dead in his apartment at the La Renaissance building in Kinshasa’s Gombe commune on the night of April 9-10.

Prosecutors had earlier arrested several other suspects while searching for the alleged mastermind.

The suspect told interrogators that he carried out the killing on the instructions of “someone above” but declined to identify the alleged sponsor, claiming doing so would endanger his family living in Kinshasa.

Ngefa said the government remained committed to ensuring justice in the case.

“The Government reaffirms its determination to combat impunity, ensure the effectiveness of justice and defend, under all circumstances, the values of the rule of law,” he said.