Salomon Kalonda "in intelligence" with foreign countries?

2023-06-06 01:09:05

The strange arrest, Tuesday, May 30, of special adviser to Moïse Katumbi continues to fuel conversations. Everyone has their own commentary. For those close to Katumbi, “there is no Solomon affair, it’s a cabal! “. After the rumors spilled on social networks for nearly a week, the Military Intelligence Staff (ex-Demiap) finally decided to exercise the ministry of speech. Monday, June 5, the legal adviser of this judicial authority, Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Kangoli Ngoli, officially articulated three grievances against the right arm of the former governor of Katanga. Namely: incitement of soldiers to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline, illegal possession of arms and munitions of war and attack on the internal security of the State. The defendant Kalonda’s defense team denounces a “flagrant breach of procedure”. Atmosphere!

Saturday, May 13, the Opposition march did not take place. The governor of the city of Kinshasa had opposed his “veto” by invoking “security reasons”. Voices were raised against this decision. And this including in circles close to the “fatshist power”. The most cynical hoped, through this demonstration, to gauge the true weight of the Opposition.

Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka ended up bowing by proposing a new date: Thursday, May 18. The day of the Ascension celebration. A shame for Christian believers and practitioners that are Katumbi and Fayulu. The reaction of the initiators of the demonstration was not long in coming: “We will no longer submit to any diktat”. A new date is stopped: Saturday, May 20.

Saturday, May 20, in the morning, the four leaders of the Opposition (Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata and Delly Sessanga) took the lead in the “demonstration”. The sequel is known. Some media speak of a “violently repressed demonstration” by the police. Observers cry “dictatorial drift”. What do the police say? “The demonstrators wanted to change their route”. Much to the chagrin of law enforcement.

During the march, viewers noticed that Moïse Katumbi was flanked by a few “big guys” responsible for ensuring his close security. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Kangoli Ngoli, members of the DRC Armed Forces were recruited. Without authorization.

Videos looping on YouTube revealed what looked like a black leather holster to house a gun. The object is attached to the belt. The news made the rounds of the capital.

According to fragmentary information, members of the close guard of “Moses” were arrested at the end of the march. After interrogation, they allegedly confessed, blaming Salomon Kalonda. Arrested on Saturday May 30 at Ndjili airport, the Katumbi adviser has been deprived of his mobility for nearly a week.

What the law says? Article 18 of the Constitution indicates, in its first paragraph, that the arrested person “shall be immediately informed of the reasons for her arrest and of any charges brought against her (…)« . Paragraph 2 to chain: “The person in custody has the right to immediately enter into contact with his family and with his counsel”. It seems that “Solomon” saw no one. He is kept secret during interrogations. During a press briefing on Saturday June 3, Moni Dela, Salomon’s big brother, said he feared the worst: “I’m afraid that we will hurt him”.

Let’s go back to article 18 of the Constitution. Paragraph 4 states in unequivocal terms that “Police custody cannot exceed 48 hours. At the end of this period, the person must be released or placed at the disposal of the judicial authority..

Bad habits die hard. The National Intelligence Agency (ANR) and the ex-Demiap tend to believe themselves above the law. We have seen this in the investigation of the still pending legal cases of François Beya (Special Adviser to the Head of State on Security), Jean-Marc Kabund (Secretary General of the UDPS) and Fortunat Biselele (Private Adviser of the Head of State). The interested parties are still waiting to go before their judge.

The legal adviser of the ex-Demiap stressed that the facts charged to the defendant Kalonda “are sensitive”. Also the judicial police officers had spoken with the public prosecutor in order to obtain the “extension of the detention”. The lieutenant-colonel exulted saying that they have “the authorization of the public prosecutor (…), we are working on it so we can put it [Kalonda] at his disposal with all the evidence and that he is directly before his natural judge..

Regardless of the seriousness of the facts, the rights of the defense must be respected. Without omitting the right to respect for private life in the broadest sense. This last prerogative may only be infringed in the cases provided for by law. Conversely, the rule of law will be the big loser. And this at seven months of presidential and legislative elections.

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Baudouin Amba Wetshi