DRC AUTHORITIES BLOCK KATUMBI FROM FLYING TO LUBUMBASHI …Opposition Leader Opts To Drive Through Zambia

Democratic Republic of Congo presidential hopeful Moise Katumbi has been blocked from flying into Lubumbashi.

Katumbi and his team have opted to go to Congo through Kasumbalesa which borders Zambia.

The popular official says he not afraid of being killed when he goes back to his home country to file his nomination for the December elections.

The former Katanga governor is due to file his nomination but authorities have blocked his return. He has also been threatened with arrest.

Katumbi’s aide Salomon Kalonda tweeted that Katumbi was in Kitwe, Zambia enroute to Kasumbalesa.

Katumbi who is a frontrunner in the election that has been delayed for almost two years by incumbent Joseph Kabila, said he would not be the first to be killed or imprisoned by the current regime.

The former all-powerful Katanga governor whose popularity also stems from his proprietary of popular football club TP Mazembe said he would work with other leading opposition figures to scoop the December elections.

“I am not scared to go to prison, I am not scared to get killed because Mr Kabila has killed a lot of people so I am not going to be the first to be killed. There is always a time for everyone I am going to make just my contribution,” Katumbi said.

He said that his intention of going back to the Congo was not to fight but participate in the election.

“I am going back to the DRC to file my nomination as a candidate to the Presidential election. I am not going back to fight, I am going for elections. The best candidate must win, they are not stopping anyone to stand, even here in South Africa, and even in Angola they did not stop anyone,” he said.

Katumbi expressed optimism at his chances of being the next President of the vast mineral rich Congo.

“I am not a mercenary, I was a governor and all this he (Kabila) wants to stop me because I was the best governor in Katanga, having a good record on achievements which I did for the people of Congo since I was governor. Once I become a candidate I always polls,” he said.

He also hinted at a concerted opposition candidature in the election that will bring an end to Kabila’s reign.

“Jean Pierre is a brother to me, Felix is a brother to me. All the opposition we are one, we are going to see who has the best chances, if somebody else got more chances than me that is democracy,” he said.

The deadline for filing Presidential nominations is August 7 with the clock ticking.

Source: Zambia Reports