A wind of change blew across the judicial landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when President Félix Tshisekedi took significant steps to dismiss and remove a number of civilian and military magistrates on Monday 28 August.
These decisions were officially announced in orders broadcast on the national channel, Radiotélévision nationale congolaise (RTNC).
The measures affect both judges and prosecutors, including judges, prosecutors and deputy prosecutors.
The dismissed magistrates include Batena Tshingandu, a councillor at the Court of Appeal; Kakuata Bwabuy, a judge at the High Court; and Mananasi Iduma, a judge at the Court of the Peace. They were dismissed following their final conviction by the Court of Cassation for offences relating to the falsification of official documents.
Also, Kambere Faustin, a justice of the peace, was dismissed because of his conviction for raping a child.
A military magistrate, Major Nadeane Falanga Alexis, 1ᵉʳ substitute for the garrison military prosecutor, is also among the magistrates dismissed, in accordance with his personal situation.
In addition to the dismissals, several magistrates have been removed from office. Among them, Bikoma Bahinga, President of the Council of State, was relieved of his duties for desertion.
Other important names were also affected by these decisions, such as Ndaya Kabulu, President of the Court of Appeal; Muland Yav Muland, President of the High Court; Mboyo Edobola, Permanent Judge of the Commercial Court; and Panga Landa, President of the Court of Peace. Each of them has been removed from office on the basis of his or her personal situation.
At the same time, many other magistrates were appointed to various positions within the judicial system. Their names and functions were announced in the same announcement broadcast on RTNC, reflecting a significant reshuffle in the composition of the Congolese judiciary.
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