Street children, commonly referred to as “Shegués”, have become a recurring problem in many cities, and Kinshasa is no exception. These young people, aged 6 to 15, live on the streets of the Congolese capital and survive thanks to begging and acts of delinquency.
Recently, a scene caused great tension in the Gombe district of Kinshasa. A passer-by had his phone stolen by one of these Shegués. This theft angered local residents, who decided to take matters into their own hands. They mobilized to track the thief to his hiding place, which was in the sewers of the Boulevard du 30 juin.
After around 45 minutes of searching, the thief and eight of his companions, including a girl, were discovered and extracted from their underground lair. The population, overwhelmed by anger, proceeded to a lynching before the arrival of the police. The children were then arrested and taken away by the police.
This hunt for the Shegués highlights the growing problem of the presence of these street children in downtown Kinshasa. Many of them beg at red lights and take advantage of the slightest distraction to commit theft. Their presence is detrimental to the safety of residents, especially women and girls.
It is urgent to find solutions to combat this phenomenon. Local authorities must put in place effective measures to take care of these vulnerable children and reintegrate them into society. Efforts must also be made to provide access to education and vocational training for these young people, in order to offer them real prospects for the future.
In conclusion, the hunt for the Shegués in Kinshasa bears witness to the need to find lasting solutions to help these street children. Their presence and their acts of delinquency are a problem that must be taken seriously by the authorities and the population. It is essential to offer them a chance to recover and build a better future for themselves and for society as a whole