Shegués in Kinshasa: Measures taken to fight against the presence of street children
In the city of Kinshasa, the presence of street children, commonly called “Shegués”, has become a real worrying phenomenon. These young people, aged between 6 and 15, face many difficulties and often find themselves involved in acts of delinquency.
Recently, a violent robbery by one of these Shegués caught the attention of the townspeople. A young delinquent seized a passer-by’s phone before taking refuge in the sewers of Boulevard du 30 juin, where these street children often find refuge.
The population, outraged by this heinous act, decided to take matters into their own hands by tracking down the Shegués until they were entrenched in the sewers. An operation of nearly 45 minutes made it possible to extract the thief as well as 8 of his accomplices, including a girl. The angry mob took justice into their own hands by lynching them before law enforcement arrived.
This event highlights the recurring problem of the presence of Shegués in downtown Kinshasa. These street children are often grouped in gangs and beg from motorists or commit theft when the opportunity arises. They occupy the separators of the lanes reserved for road traffic and create a feeling of insecurity for the inhabitants of the city.
Faced with this worrying situation, the local authorities and the population are aware of the need to act. Measures are gradually being put in place to fight against the presence of Shegués and offer them better care.
First of all, it is important to improve the living conditions of these children in vulnerable situations. Social assistance and support programs must be put in place to enable them to get off the streets, to access education and to have more positive future prospects.
At the same time, efforts must be made to strengthen security in the places frequented by the Shegués. A better police presence, combined with actions to raise public awareness, can help deter acts of crime and guarantee everyone’s safety.
It is also essential to work on the reintegration of the Shegués into society. Vocational training and support programs must be put in place to enable them to acquire skills and find stable employment. This will not only contribute to their own development, but also reduce the crime rate and improve the safety of the city.
In conclusion, the presence of the Shegués in the streets of Kinshasa is a complex problem that requires a multidimensional approach.. The awareness of the population, combined with concrete actions by the authorities and local organizations, can make it possible to fight effectively against this phenomenon and offer the Shegués a better future