Soldier alleges Congolese governor ordered murder
KINSHASA (Reuters) - A soldier on trial for the killing of a Congo opposition politician earlier this month testified on Friday that the governor of Kinshasa, an ally of President Joseph Kabila, had ordered the murder.
A spokesman for the governor rejected the testimony as "contradictory" and said that justice would prevail. But the allegation was bound stir emotions in the sprawling and run-down capital Kinshasa, an opposition stronghold.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's main opposition party suspended its participation in parliament earlier this month after Daniel Botethi, a vice-president in the provincial assembly, was shot dead in his car.
The Congo Liberation Movement (MLC) has since returned to parliament, but the trial is being followed closely in the capital, where the opposition is more popular than Kabila who hails from the east of the vast, mineral-rich country.
"The person who sent us to carry this out ... his name, it is the governor of the city of Kinshasa," said Patrick Mwewa, a member of the Republican Guard which is close to the president.
Mwewa is one of four soldiers and a civilian on trial before a military tribunal. Under cross-examination he confirmed the name of Governor Andre Kimbuta as the man he was referring to.
Therese Olenga, a spokeswoman for Kimbuta, rejected the soldier's testimony.
"You heard all the contradictions that were said today," she said. "We are calm. We are confident that, left to do its work properly, justice will eventually establish the truth."
Congo held elections in 2006 that were meant to draw a line under a decade of war and chaos. But rebels and renegade army soldiers continue to roam much of the east, preying on civilians, while analysts say corruption and impunity is rife.
Kinshasa has seen some bloody clashes between the MLC, a former rebel group, and Kabila's government.
Demonstrations and rallies in the lead-up to the polls were often violent and soldiers loyal to either side have fought several gunbattles in the capital's streets.
(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com)
(Writing by David Lewis, Editing by Douglas Hamilton)
