Kinshasa – A prominent Democratic Republic of Congo politician accused of embezzling $50 million earmarked for social housing has defended himself in a televised court hearing, claiming nothing was done "without the knowledge" of President Félix Tshisekedi.
The trial of Vital Kamerhe – who remains the president's chief of staff – has gained widespread attention in the country where high-profile figures are rarely brought to court.
Kamerhe has insisted he was not in office when the contract at the centre of the allegations were signed in April 2018.
Kamerhe was a pillar of the regime of former president Joseph Kabila and initially stood in the 2018 presidential poll but bowed out to team up with Tshisekedi.
The trial comes as Tshisekedi – who took office in January 2019 in the first ever peaceful transfer of power in the country – runs a campaign to root out entrenched corruption.
