afrol News, 6 January - Congolese President, Joseph Kabila has kicked out 119 alleged corrupt top managers in government in a bid to root out corruption in the country.

President Kabila said those fired had served for the ministries of finance and the budget, the tax department, the customs and excise office, and the directorate of administrative receipts and state property.

Another batch of around 2, 600 employees were forced to retire after being found to be working beyond their pensionable age.

Local reports said a number of Congolese government workers stay in their jobs past retirement age to keep their salaries, rather than rely on uncertain or non-existent pensions.

Budget Minister Michel Lokola said the dismissals are related to individuals who have mismanaged the public funds.

Some 1,500 agents in the public services concerned were promoted to fill the positions of those sacked or forced to retire.

Reports said the number of the employees laid off or retired often held the posts of directors of services, divisional chiefs and office chiefs, mostly in the tax department and in the finance ministry.

In mid 2009, President Kabila introduced drastic measures to fire over 1, 300 government employees in a bid to fight incessant corruption and abuse of state resources.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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