DRC minister defensive over fatal plane crash

Mwenze has defended himself in Parliament over last week's fatal plane crash

By Mahlatse Gallens
Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) minister in the office of the presidency, Nkula Mwenze, has defended himself in Parliament over last week's fatal plane crash. At the time of the crash, all Antonovs had been banned by the now sacked Minister of Transport, Remy Henry Kuseyo.

But the Antanov was allowed to fly, following a letter from Mwenze, saying the decision would cripple the airline industry. The Russian-built Antonov plunged into several houses just after take off, killing more than 30 people, injuring many more and destroying houses.

There have been 16 Antonov crashes this year alone, but this latest tragedy is rattling government. Seething members of parliament labelled Nkulu Mwenze a murderer and a criminal. His letter to the now sacked minister of transport, says the decision to ground all Antonov's prejudiced companies with legal licenses to operate would paralyse the airline industry. Both contradictory letters were presented to the prime minister, but he did not act. Nkulu is still putting the blame on the Transport minister.

Mwenze said: "That letter was not a letter cancelling the minister's decision, neither was it an order, not even an instruction to the minister of transport. It was only a request, a request that has two points which are to postponing the general ban of Antonov and to open an inquiry to see which one can fly or not."

Govt accused of ignoring people's lives
But opposition MPs are furious. They have accused government of neglecting people's lives in favour of profits. Opposition parties want government to take responsibility for the tragedy.

Secretary General of the main opposition MLC Francois Mwanba said:" Firing the minister of transport is not going to solve the problem. The president of Congo Brazzaville has just taken a decision to ban all Russian Antonov's because of Congo's tragedy. That is what we need in our country. Is there any leader here that can do that? Is there any government here?"

The opposition MPs have demanded that the fired minister be allowed to give his version of events to parliament. They also want the prime minister to account.

'I am astonished. The minister of transport who is in charge of aviation banned the flying of Antonovs. But then the minister in the office of the presidency cancelled the order. Can you appreciate the disorder we have in the highest level of the state? The responsibility for the deaths lies with all of them," said opposition MP Bofassa Djema.