Bukavu : three Chinese in possession of several pieces of gold ingots arrested

The three Chinese nationals are prosecuted for “illegal exploitation of minerals”. They were apprehended while leaving the territory of Walungu in South Kivu. Four Congolese including two soldiers, a translator and a driver were arrested in the company of these Chinese. A month ago, 13 other Chinese nationals were expelled by the immigration services in the same province of South Kivu, in eastern Congo for the same facts. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In addition to at least 10 pieces of gold ingots, the three Chinese and their accomplices were arrested in possession of an amount of $800,000.

In photos released by the South Kivu governor’s office, several bundles of $100 bills and minerals hidden in black bags can be seen. These bags were seized from the three Chinese citizens, announced the governor of this eastern province of the vast Central African country, very rich in natural and mineral resources.

Jean Jacques Purusi, governor of South Kivu told the local press that “the three Chinese were about to leave the Congolese soil”.

A local civil society leader said that in-depth investigations should be conducted by state services to determine circumstances in which the Chinese are infiltrating this part of South Kivu.

“It’s unbelievable to see people moving around with such a large sum of $800,000. We wonder how they were able to enter the mines without the authorized services being informed of their presence,” lamented Jean Paul Kasinga, a civil society leader in the Walungu territory.

Last month, 13 other Chinese nationals were expelled by the Congolese immigration services for the same reasons. They were also exploiting the Walungu mines.

In July 2024, Governor Purusi suspended mineral exploitation activities to “bring order to this sector”.

“I will not allow these things to happen again,” insisted the governor of South Kivu.