Suspension of the head of the provincial justice division and the director of the Mbuji-Mayi central prison following the escape of detainees in the Kasai-Oriental province.
In a drastic decision, the interim governor of Kasai-Oriental province took the decision to suspend the head of the provincial justice division, Célestin Kazadi Ya Mpulu, and the director of the Mbuji-Mayi central prison, Jean Tshibondo Kankulu . This decision follows the spectacular escape which took place within the central prison on January 12 and 13, 2024.
The interim governor issued two orders suspending these two executives and initiating disciplinary action against them. According to the reasons stated in the orders, the two officials are accused of passivity in the face of the escape of detainees, leading to serious consequences for the province.
Célestin Kazadi Ya Mpulu is particularly targeted by the interim governor. In addition to his responsibility for the escape of the detainees, he is accused of having misled the provincial authority by giving a favorable opinion to the provisional operating authorization of a non-profit association. A violation of the law is mentioned, in particular the interministerial decree of May 16, 2023 which sets the rates, taxes and royalties. This error would have resulted in monetary penalties as well as substantial damages for the province.
This decision by the interim governor to suspend the officials involved in the escape of detainees reflects a desire to take strong measures to guarantee the security and efficiency of the judicial system. It is essential to restore order and ensure that such events do not happen again in the future.
This case highlights security and management problems within Mbuji-Mayi central prison. Reforms are needed to improve detention conditions and prevent escapes. It is also crucial to strengthen the discipline and integrity of officials responsible for supervising detainees.
The interim governor of the Kasai-Oriental province thus shows his determination to clean up the judicial system and guarantee the security of citizens. This suspension is a strong signal sent to other managers to encourage them to fully assume their responsibilities and to work with rigor and professionalism. It is now essential to put in place effective measures to avoid any repeat offenses and restore confidence in the province’s judicial institutions.