A 25-year-old man, Manassé Lomboto, remains at a morgue in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, after his death on September 15. His employer, Prince Epenge, a politician, is currently being held at Makala prison. The circumstances surrounding Lomboto's death are disputed, with the opposition and the government presenting conflicting accounts. The opposition claims Lomboto was killed during a protest, while the government denies any deaths occurred.
According to the opposition, Lomboto was killed by elements of the "Force du Progrès" acting on orders from Augustin Kabuya, a high-ranking official. The opposition also alleges that an autopsy promised by the prosecutor's office was not performed 20 days after the incident. In contrast, the government claims that Lomboto died of illness and that there were no fatalities during the protest. The government also disputes the attribution of Lomboto's death to the protest.
The case has sparked concerns about a "justice à deux vitesses" or a two-tier justice system. Martin Fayulu, an opposition leader, has expressed concerns that Prince Epenge is being made a scapegoat. The opposition coalition, Lamuka, has also criticized the slow pace of investigations and the lack of an autopsy. The situation has raised questions about the role of the judiciary and the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prince Epenge was arrested on October 25 at Kinshasa's N'Djili airport as he was preparing to travel to Rome. He was initially taken to the Conseil national de cyberdéfense (CNC) before being transferred to the prosecutor's office. His lawyers have expressed concerns about the lack of notification prior to his transfer to Makala prison. Epenge's detention has been seen as a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the September 15 protest.
The case has also raised concerns about the use of force by state security agencies. The opposition has accused the government of using excessive force to disperse protesters, resulting in Lomboto's death. The government has denied these allegations, but the incident has highlighted the need for greater accountability and transparency in the use of force by security agencies.
The detention of Prince Epenge has sparked concerns about the politicization of justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some opposition leaders have described Epenge as a "prisonnier personnel d'Augustin Kabuya," or a personal prisoner of the UDPS secretary general. However, it is unclear whether Kabuya has any direct involvement in the case.
The case is ongoing, with Prince Epenge awaiting trial. His lawyers have requested a public autopsy and an independent investigation into Lomboto's death. The outcome of the case is uncertain, but it has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's justice system.
Key points
- Prince Epenge detained in Makala prison amid controversy over a September 15 protest that resulted in one death.
- Conflicting accounts of the protest have been presented by the opposition and the government.
- The case has raised concerns about a two-tier justice system and the politicization of justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
