News in Kinshasa: Search for solutions to fight against the presence of street children
On the morning of Saturday July 8, an incident caused great tension in Kinshasa, more precisely at the intersection of Boulevard du 30 juin and Avenue Kasa-Vubu, in front of the OCPT. A young delinquent violently stole a passer-by’s mobile phone and managed to escape by taking refuge in the sewers of Boulevard du 30 juin, where street children, commonly known as “Shegués”, hide.
Witnesses to this heinous act reacted immediately and began to frame the perimeter to prevent any escape for the thief. After a hunt of almost 45 minutes, the “Shegué” was captured, accompanied by eight of his companions, including a girl. Their ages ranged between 10 and 14 years old.
The population, outraged by the recurrent actions of street children, spontaneously decided to punish them before the arrival of the police. A phenomenon that underlines the extent of the problem of the “Shegués” in Kinshasa.
Indeed, these street children have become a constant and worrying presence in downtown Kinshasa. They roam in groups, sometimes up to ten units, along the Boulevard du 30 juin, in front of department stores, bus stops and taxi stands. Their main objective is to beg from motorists at red lights, but they are not content with just handouts. They also take advantage of every opportunity to steal goods such as phones, handbags, jewelry, watches, before disappearing into the sewers.
The presence of the “Shegués” creates a feeling of insecurity among the inhabitants of Kinshasa, especially among women and young girls. Once night has fallen, they exercise their domination over the Gombe, imposing their law and sowing terror among passers-by.
This worrying situation raises the need for urgent action to find effective solutions for street children in Kinshasa. Beyond repression, it is crucial to take into account the root causes of their presence on the streets. Social, educational and economic measures must be put in place to offer a viable alternative to these vulnerable children and reintegrate them into society.
It is also important to sensitize the population on the reality of the “Shegués” and to promote empathy and solidarity towards them. Exclusion and stigma will only make the problem worse. By working together, authorities, associations and the population can create a safer environment and offer better prospects for the future of street children.
It is essential that this news is not just an isolated event, but that it serves as a starting point for in-depth reflection and concrete actions aimed at lastingly solving the problem of street children in Kinshasa