The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday confirmed that it had, in fact, arrested and deported controversial Zimbabwean businessperson Billy Rautenbach, in response to a Bloomberg report that Rautenbach claimed he had “spent the night with friends” on the night of his alleged deportation.

An emailed statement, distributed by London-based public relations company, Bell Pottinger, on behalf of the DRC government, reiterated that Rautenbach, who is a major shareholder in cobalt producer Central African Mining & Exploration, had been declared persona non grata and deported to Zimbabwe last week.

“Mr Rautenbach was treated with civility by the Congolese officials.

"Nevertheless, it is impossible to imagine that he did not notice himself being ejected from the country and his passport being inscribed with his PNG status, and returned to him,” the statement said.

Rautenbach told Bloomberg that he was unable to leave Congo last week because of repairs to the runway in Lubumbashi, so he spent the night with friends and left the next morning.

The DRC added that “Rautenbach may have financial or personal reasons to imply that he is still welcome in the DRC”.

Rautenbach, who faces charges of fraud, corruption and other crimes in South Africa, was declared a persona non grata in the DRC last week after a request for assistance from South Africa.

He was apprehended after the company held a press briefing contesting the validity of the persona non grata order and claiming that he had entered the DRC despite it.