The recent conviction of Colonel Ange Félix Mangwala and his accomplices by the Military Court of Haut-Katanga caused a stir in the province. This case, which began with the kidnapping of a seminarian and the dispossession of a concession of the Catholic Church, has finally found a resolution with this court decision.
The Justice and Peace Commission of the province of Haut-Katanga expressed its satisfaction with this conviction in a press release. Colonel Mangwala was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while his accomplices were sentenced to 10 years in detention. For the Commission, this sentence is a victory for justice and a strong signal to dissuade any desire to dispossess the property of the Catholic Church.
However, despite this satisfaction, the Commission is also concerned about the effective execution of this judgment. Indeed, it underlines that other court decisions in favor of the Catholic Church have never been fully implemented. It therefore calls for the demolition of illegal constructions erected on the concession of the Tshamalale major seminary, in order to guarantee respect for the rights of the Church.
In welcoming the work of the justice system, the Commission warns against any attempt to intimidate the Catholic Church and its staff. It says it is ready to denounce any form of negligence or complacency in the execution of court decisions rendered in favor of the Church.
This case, marked by the kidnapping of a seminarian and the use of a firearm by Colonel Mangwala, highlights the issues related to the protection of ecclesiastical property. Through this trial, the question of the fight against impunity and the preservation of religious heritage has also been raised.
In conclusion, this conviction constitutes a significant step forward in preserving the rights of the Catholic Church in Katanga. It now remains to ensure that this court decision is fully respected, in order to ensure the protection of the Church’s property and to guarantee the strict application of the law in the province.