Combating the presence of street children and their involvement in illicit activities is a major challenge for many cities around the world. Recently, the municipality of Bukavu, in collaboration with the provincial Ministry of the Interior and Security, conducted a major operation to put an end to the presence of these young people in street situations.
During the operation entitled “A city without children in street situations”, carried out during the night of October 25 to 26, 2024, the authorities managed to apprehend no less than 104 wandering children, among whom were several individuals holding bladed weapons. This alarming figure reveals the scale of the phenomenon and underlines the urgency of action to protect these young people in vulnerable situations.
Bukavu Mayor Zénon Karumba said that among the children apprehended, there were 36 adult men and 5 women, bringing the total number of adults to 41. The minors, 66 in number, will be reintegrated into their families after being identified. This approach aims to provide them with a safe and warm family environment to keep them away from the street and delinquency.
It should also be noted that the adults, who were in possession of bladed weapons such as knives and machetes, will be transferred to the Bukavu central prison. This measure aims to ensure public safety and punish deviant behavior that jeopardizes the peace and tranquility of the community.
This joint operation between the Bukavu City Hall and the provincial Ministry of the Interior and Security comes following numerous complaints and denunciations from residents and civil society actors. These street children were suspected of being involved in reprehensible acts such as theft, extortion and other forms of delinquency, thus fueling a feeling of insecurity among the population.
In short, this exemplary action demonstrates the determination of local authorities to combat juvenile delinquency and protect vulnerable youth. It underlines the importance of collaboration between the various actors in society to prevent and combat this scourge that hinders the harmonious development of our communities. It is time to pay special attention to these children in distress and offer them the best chances to flourish in an environment conducive to their development.