Is the Governor of South Kivu involved in the illegal mining exploitation of Chinese companies in the mines in Mwenga?
This is what more than one observer wonder when viewing the short video of journalist Alain Foka, from Mwenga, where these Chinese exploit ores illegally.
According to him, the Chief of Staff of the Provincial Governor would be legal advisor to one of the Chinese groups operating in the mines in Mwenga. He further informed that the Chief of Staff of the provincial Minister of Mines would also be an adviser to another group of Chinese still operating in this part.
Read also: Suspension of mining companies in Mwenga: a salutary measure that nevertheless leaves doubts
Despite the presence of these two high dignitaries, black sheep, of the Ngwabidje administration, the provincial authority told the journalist, never having been warned.
Remember that Ely Muhimuzi, an agent in the Ministry of Mines at the national level, said in a radio programme; whereas Theo Ngwabidje installed many Chinese in the Mwenga mining sites; and protect them with FARDC soldiers. He thus rebelled against the speeches of the provincial authorities claiming that these illegal operators are in Mwenga with the blessing of « Kinshasa ».
This is what we may know after the return of the parliamentary mission of 8 provincial deputies who are staying in Mwenga to inquire about the reality on the ground.
A headlong rush by the Ngwabidje administration?
But shortly after the passage of the large delegation led by the National Minister of Mines, accompanied by the President and several members of the Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC); came particulary to inquire about the situation in the mines in this part of South Kivu, Governor Théo Ngwabidje immediately suspended the said companies.
However, the denunciations of local populations through civil society organizations date back more than two years. And Ngwabidje’s collaborators, including his communications cell, put forward the grounds that the Governor was not competent to suspend companies. This did not prevent him from doing so, however, after the passage of the Minister of Mines.
Between pear and cheese, Ngwabidje tries to save his skin by suspending these Chinese companies in all « irregularity »; while there is every reason to believe that he was aware of their actions from the beginning.
« The Governor couldn’t be unaware of the situation of these farms, which have continued to pollute the Zalya and Elila rivers in Mwenga territory. Furthermore, we can read in social networks, correspondence exchanged between him and some of the Chinese companies, « says an observer.
Against its involved subjects, China promises to act
Headlong rush, pressure or arm wrestling? The suspension by the Governor of South Kivu of Chinese companies operating in irregularity and without respect for environmental protection standards; did not leave Beijing indifferent.
The Director General of china’s Department of African Affairs, Wu Peng, announced investigations by his services in these circles. And for him, the Chinese companies that will find themselves involved; will not only be suspended, but also forced to stop their activities.
« We noticed that the DRC governor’s order to suspend the operations of six Chinese mining companies in South Kivu province for the violation of local environment standards. We always respect their right to take measures to maintain normal economic activities. The case is under investigation by us, too. Once confirmed, I will push Chinese related authorities to impose punishment in accordance with the law. We will not just suspend the companies’ operations, but ask them to stop the relevant business in South Kivu province, » he said on his Twitter account.
And the Minister of Mines to forbid Ngwabidje to interfere
Only a few days after Governor Ngwabidje’s order suspending these six companies operating in the Mwenga territories, the Minister of Mines wrote to her colleague of the Interior Affairs, asking Ngwabidje to report his decision, as it was not within his competence.
« This measure violates the provisions of Article 11 of Law No. 007/2002 of 11 July 2002 as amended and supplemented by Law No. 18/001 of 9 March 2018 on the powers of the Provincial Governor in the Administration of the Mining Code. The power to suspend is due to me in accordance with the provisions of the preceding in its article 10 », he wrote in this letter consulted by Laprunellerdc.info this Thursday, September 2, 2021.
Is there a tug-of-war between the national and provincial governments over the mining of Chinese companies in the DRC? One would think that the minister was complacent with these Chinese companies, which moreover the relatives of the Governor accused of having the protection of Kinshasa.
Read also: South Kivu: Ngwabidje takes action and suspends 6 mining companies and their cooperatives in Mwenga
Notwithstanding these lamentations, the Minister stands and affirms that the Governor is not competent and will have to report his decision because; inspectors from the national ministry are hard at work and will come back with a report that will allow the minister to take action against these companies and their accomplices.
Because, according to observers, everything suggests that several provincial authorities are involved in this mafia, and that this decision was a headlong rush.
Half goat, half cabbage? Local people and environmental protection organizations are in any case impatient to see the decision of the Minister of Mines, and see the Chinese and their accomplices suffer the rigor of the law.
Bertin Bulonza