Ngbale, who was Mobutu's cousin, served as the commander of the Special Presidential Division until the fall of Zaire in 1997.

[2] Ngbale's DSP was considered the most feared unit in the Zairean army, consisting of 6,000 to 10,000 men including foreign mercenaries.

[1] The DSP under Ngbale was also known for numerous human rights abuses, and the detention and torture of political opponents.

[1] During the First Congo War as Kinshasa fell to Congolese rebels, Ngbale told Mobutu that he "could not defend him anymore.

[5][6] The remaining soldiers of the DSP assassinated the Zairian chief of staff Donatien Mahele as he tried to calm troops that were preparing for an advance by Congolese rebels.