The former presidential candidate of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Francis Mvembarecently made a name for himself at Senegal. Arrested for a fraud case involving an unpaid debt to the Petit Paradis hotellocated at Ngaparouhe escaped prison thanks to the financial intervention of his sister. However, he was sentenced to three months in prison by the Senegalese courts.
Francis Mvemba had initially booked three nights at the Petit Paradis hotel before extending his stay until December 5. Rehoused in a suite with a bathtub due to the reservation of another client, he would have accumulated a total bill of 4,523,000 F CFA, of which only 900,000 F CFA had been paid.
According to the establishment’s managers, his meals were also served directly in his room, without payment. Tired of waiting for payment despite numerous reminders, the hotel manager, El Hadj Serigne Niang, turned to the Ngaparou gendarmerie, leading to the arrest of the Congolese politician.
During his hearing before the judge for flagrante delictos, Francis Mvemba disputed accusations of fraud, saying he was not refusing to pay but was waiting for a bank transfer. He also explained that he did not know the precise date of his departure, a justification considered insufficient by the court.
The prosecutor stressed that Mvemba’s inability to pay his debt constituted the offence. “As a politician aspiring to lead a country, you must set an example, especially abroad. No one is above the law,” the magistrate said.
It was ultimately thanks to the intervention of his sister, Elvira Mvemba, that Francis was able to avoid a prolonged stay in detention. She mobilized a friend to pay the sum owed of 3,623,000 CFA francs, thus allowing her brother to leave Mbour prison.
Despite this, the judge recalled that the late payment of the invoice did not exempt him from his responsibility. The three-month suspended prison sentence puts a temporary end to this affair which tarnishes the image of the Congolese businessman and politician.
This outcome is a scathing reminder for Francis Mvembawho aspires to leadership positions. The judge insisted on the importance of preserving an impeccable image, particularly when representing your country abroad. This affair could well serve as a lesson, both on a personal and political level, for a man whose ambitions extend beyond the borders of his country.
