Yesterday, in a significant humanitarian gesture, the city of Kolwezi experienced a poignant event: the burial of nearly 120 bodies abandoned at the morgue of the Mwangeji General Hospital. This commendable action, initiated by the city’s mayor, Jacques Masengo Kindele, aimed to relieve congestion in the morgue and provide a dignified burial for these people who had been left behind.
Faced with this tragic situation, a joint commission was set up to organize a respectful and secure burial of the deceased, despite the state of decomposition of some of the bodies. Under the leadership of the Kolwezi municipality, all means were deployed to ensure a proper burial of these long-forgotten Congolese citizens.
The article speaks of an unprecedented mobilization on the part of local authorities and members of the commission to ensure that each body is buried individually, in its own grave, thus avoiding the mass grave. Testimonies from those involved highlight the speed and efficiency with which the work was carried out, reflecting the urban authority’s desire to address this situation with respect and dignity.
The members of the commission, equipped with masks to protect themselves from infectious risks, demonstrated exemplary dedication in carrying out this delicate task. Mayor Masengo initiated an operation to decongest the morgue over a period of three days, thus freeing up this space that had become a testimony to unsustainable neglect.
This initiative raises deeper questions about the vulnerability and abandonment of certain individuals in our society, highlighting the importance of community action and government support to prevent such tragedies in the future. By providing a decent burial to these deceased, the city of Kolwezi has sent a strong message about the importance of human dignity and post-mortem respect.
In conclusion, the burial of these bodies at the Mwangeji General Hospital mortuary will be remembered as a testament to solidarity and compassion, reminding all of the imperative to treat every life with dignity and respect, even in death.