Fatshimetrie, November 10, 2024 – An alarming situation is currently shaking the province of Sankuru, located in the center of the Democratic Republic of Congo, more precisely in Lodja, where agents of the Land Affairs service have been facing an unexplained loss of salaries since June 2024. This crisis has prompted these workers to launch a cry of distress to the competent authorities, demanding urgent intervention to resolve this problem which is endangering the lives of many families.
The office secretary of the Land Affairs service in Sankuru, Mr. Esema Yemba Patrice, expressed his deep concern about this worrying situation. According to him, the agents are faced with illegal use of their matriculation numbers by unidentified individuals, thus depriving them of their legitimate salaries. This identity theft usually occurs during the pay period, leaving the agents unable to receive their hard-earned income.
This problem is unfortunately not isolated, as another land service agent who confirmed having been a victim of the same situation testifies. Despite their attempts to resolve this dysfunction, the agents have come up against a wall of indifference and are now helpless in the face of this recurring injustice.
It is crucial that government authorities intervene quickly to put an end to this fraud that seriously harms the agents of the Land Affairs service. Indeed, these abusive practices undermine the confidence of workers and weaken the integrity of an already fragile administrative system.
This sad reality recalls previous incidents in the region, where other public services have been victims of salary embezzlement. Despite promises of reforms and improvements to the security of civil servants’ personal data, the situation seems to persist, leaving workers in a situation of precariousness and uncertainty.
It is imperative that concrete measures be taken to identify and punish those responsible for these reprehensible acts. Protecting workers’ rights and ensuring their remuneration are essential elements to ensure the transparent and fair functioning of public administration.
In conclusion, it is time for light to be shed on this case and for justice to be rendered to the agents of the Lodja Land Affairs Department. Respecting workers’ rights and combating wage fraud must be absolute priorities to ensure a healthy and fair working environment for all.
The situation therefore remains critical, and the urgency of corrective action is felt more than ever to put an end to this spiral of embezzlement and injustice.