The situation of the families of deceased police officers waiting for pay arrears in the DRC is a poignant testimony to the indifference and administrative injustice that too often affect the beneficiaries of public services and meritorious sacrifices. The families of these men and women who gave their lives to serve and protect the nation now find themselves plunged into distress and uncertainty, waiting for payments that are slow in coming, blocked by incomprehensible bureaucratic procedures.
It is unthinkable that these families, already grieving the loss of a loved one, should be denied their legitimate rights and compensation due for services rendered. Waiting four long years to access unpaid salaries is not only dishonourable to the memory of the deceased, but it is also an insult to their dedication and ultimate sacrifice.
The intervention of the authorities, in particular the Ministry of Justice and the Minister of Justice, Constant Mutamba, is more necessary than ever to put an end to this unacceptable situation. These families deserve respect, recognition and support, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that they receive the sums owed to them, without further delay or excuses.
The fight led by the families’ lawyer, Maître Joseph Adumanga, is commendable and deserves to be supported and amplified. It is intolerable that widows and orphans find themselves deprived of the resources necessary for their survival, while the money that is supposed to be theirs remains inaccessible, blocked in dissuasive and Kafkaesque administrative formalities.
It is high time that light be shed on this situation of glaring injustice and that concrete measures be taken to correct these dysfunctions. The sacrifices of the police officers who fell on the front must not be in vain, and it is up to the Congolese State to pay tribute to them by respecting their rights and their memory.
Let us hope that the mobilization and pressure exerted by the families, their lawyers and public opinion will help to unblock this impasse and restore the dignity of the defenders of the nation, even after their departure. It is time for action, solidarity and justice, so that these broken families can finally find some comfort and relief in the fulfillment of their legitimate rights.