Tracking down street children in Kinshasa: the population is mobilizing
This Saturday morning in Kinshasa, an unusual event marked the commune of Gombe. Around 9 a.m., palpable tension reigned at the intersection of Boulevard du 30 juin and Avenue Kasa-Vubu, in front of the OCPT. The reason ? The population mobilized to hunt down street children, commonly known as “Shegués”, who were hiding in the sewers of the boulevard.
The story began when a young delinquent violently stole a passerby’s phone. In the blink of an eye, he was swallowed up in the sewer and joined his elusive “base”. Witnessing this heinous act, several people formed a security cordon around the sewer, thus preventing the thief from escaping.
After a hunt of almost 45 minutes, the fugitive was captured, along with eight of his companions, including a girl. Their ages ranged between 10 and 14 years. The population, angry, did not hesitate to lynch them until the arrival of the police, around 10:15 am The children were then taken away in the police vehicle.
The “Shegués” reign terror in Kinshasa
What happened this morning reflects a recurring problem in Kinshasa: the massive presence of street children. Aged between 6 and 15, these young people roam the streets of the city center, especially along the Boulevard du 30 juin, in front of supermarkets and bus stops.
Gathered in bands, often of a dozen individuals, they beg motorists as soon as the red light stops them. Unfortunately, these children do not just ask for money. They take advantage of the slightest distraction to steal phones, purses and other valuables, before disappearing into the sewers that serve as their refuge.
At night, these “masters” of Gombe reign supreme and terrorize passers-by, especially young girls and women.
It is urgent to find solutions
This morning’s hunt underlines the despair and frustration of the population in the face of this alarming situation. It is time for the authorities in Kinshasa to take concrete measures to solve this problem. It is essential to offer alternatives to street children, such as education, vocational training and social reintegration programmes.
It is also necessary to strengthen awareness-raising and prevention actions to prevent more and more children from finding themselves in this precarious situation.
In short, the stalking of street children in Kinshasa is a symptom of a deeper problem that requires a global and coordinated response. It is time for the authorities and the population to unite their efforts to offer a better future to these abandoned children