DR Congo coup plot: the audience stunned by revelations but not surprised

By Gael Masengi

The South African prosecutor on case of 20 Congolese arrested in February for “conspiracy” to topple the current government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amazed the fully packed court room as he continuously read-out documents retrieved from one of the accused laptop computer.

 

Inside the court room at Pretoria's Magistrate court

Opposing to bail application of the “suspects”, Shaun Abrahams pinpointed details before the magistrate of various reasons why ‘accused no 1 all the way to no 20’ shouldn’t be freed temporary. Cited among evidences, a computer confiscated from suspect no1 revealed that Joseph Kabila alongside other Congolese political personalities such as Kengo wa Dondo (senate), Evariste Boshab (MP), Andre Kimbuta (mayor of capital Kinshasa), naval and terrestrial army force generals was amongst the priority on the list of people to be arrested, if possible stand trial or even be physically eliminated once the group take control of the country as they are considered enemies of the people. Joseph Kabila whom again according to the seized documents described him as “Hippolyte Kanambe” a Rwandan imposter ‘who listen only to the language of weapons’, rigged the presidential elections of 2011 therefore he cannot be allowed to negotiate with or be granted immunity if captured. An audience of almost anti-Kabila activists reacted with an apparent ‘satisfying’ smile when it was stated that the group was planning to implement various valuable social projects once the Congo fall in their hands and thereon be governed by a true Congolese who has best interests of the people at heart, projects which includes –holding a free and fair election within the following months, the group disapprove of the M23 rebel as they are regarded as enemies being supported by both Rwandan and Ugandan government.  Abrahams told the magistrate that though the group had no cash to buy such a large arsenal of weapons but they sought to source fund from mineral resources stockpiled in the Mai-Mai held area in the eastern DR Congo, it was also revealed that the group already have around 2700 men deployed inside the country and have access to weapons shipped from Bulgaria and Romania sold by notorious war lord Viktor Bout during 1993-94 to Hutu rebels in exile in the DRC who were fighting the government of Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.

The group of 19 men alleged coup plotters were arrested last month, the raid conducted by a special division of the SouthAfrican police came as result of “months long investigation” by the crime intelligent unit, police said

Accused to be the master mind of alleged coup plot against Joseph Kabila, the Congolese-born American citizen,James Kazongo is just like one of a million Congolese nationalists in the diaspora who despite their distance to the Congo, are still feel bound by a duty to save their homeland.

 
The audience listened carefully as the prosecutor spent the whole day inside Magistrate court’s room 6 reading the reasons for the state to keep in custody the 20 men, Abrahams argued that the men not only pose a threat to the lives of Congolese authorities but also to South Africa, however he failed to specify how much of a threat they are to South Africa. Magistrate Solomon Mkubela adjourned the session stating that he could have allowed the bail hearing to continue beyond the usual 4pm time but that will conflict with the arrangement made with the prison officials. Therefore further hearing is set to continue on March 15^th.