Illegal Barriers and Road Harassment: A Worrying Reality in Kwango Province
The province of Kwango, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is facing an increasingly worrying problem: illegal barriers and road harassment. Indeed, despite the operations launched by the police and the army to fight against the Mobondo militia, these barriers are not only used to ensure security, but also become points of racketeering for the agents responsible for monitoring them.
Road users are forced to pay lump sums ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 FC (Congolese Francs) at each barrier, without any receipt being issued to them. Drivers of vehicles, including buses, are particularly targeted by these demands for money, locally nicknamed “Mayi”, which means “water” in Lingala. The extortion of money occurs in particular at the level of the Kabuba village, the Kwango bridge and at the Lonzo Catholic mission.
Faced with these illegal practices, the provincial Minister of the Interior was contacted. Although he denies the existence of illegal barriers on the RN1, he undertakes to investigate the situation. For his part, the spokesperson for the provincial government declared that the presence of the military at these barriers was intended to ensure security and not to practice harassment.
However, the images and testimonies collected attest to the reality of these illegal barriers and the resulting road harassment. Drivers and road users are under financial pressure and are forced to pay often exorbitant sums to be able to circulate freely.
This situation is unacceptable and undermines the free movement of people and goods. The Kwango provincial authorities must take urgent measures to put an end to these illegal practices and guarantee the safety and tranquility of road users.
In conclusion, it is essential to highlight these situations of road harassment and to sensitize public opinion in order to put pressure on the competent authorities to act and put an end to these illegal practices which hinder the development of the Kwango province. Road users deserve to be protected and to be able to travel safely and without suffering unjustified extortion of money