DR CONGO: President’s chief of staff arrested over alleged misappropriation of funds

The chief of staff to the president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Vital Kamerhe has been arrested after undergoing hours of questioning in the capital, Kinshasa, over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Local police say chief of staff to the president was immediately driven to the city’s main, Makala prison, after questioning where he spent the night after questioning in the capital of Kinshasa.

Reports say Vital Kamerhe was questioned over his role following allegations of corruption in infrastructure projects that were under his docket during the first 100 days of President Félix Tshisekedi’s term last year.

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When asked to comment on the arrest of Vital, Tshisekedi’s spokesman, Kasongo Mwema, said: “The president does not comment on the decisions of the justice system.”

It was not immediately clear how long Kamerhe would be held or whether he would be charged with a crime. Reuters was not immediately able to contact his lawyer. Kamerhe has denied all allegations of impropriety.

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