### Likasi Tragedy: Investigation Required After Discovery of Four Bodies
In a climate of growing tension and insecurity, the town of Likasi, in the heart of Haut-Katanga province, was recently the scene of a harrowing tragedy. On 11 January 2025, four lifeless bodies, some of which were in an advanced state of decomposition, were discovered in an isolated bush near Katuzembe, along the Likasi-Kolwezi road. The bodies are believed to belong to motorcycle taxi drivers, often disadvantaged and vulnerable workers, who had disappeared several days earlier. The circumstances surrounding their deaths raise worrying questions about road safety and targeted violence in the region.
Details collected by Fatshimetrie reveal that the victims had their arms tied, suggesting a planned execution rather than a simple act of opportunistic criminality. This tragedy is part of a larger picture of violence in the country, exacerbated by socio-economic conflicts. It is crucial to take a moment to reflect on the implications of this event beyond the bare facts.
#### Motorcycle Taxi Drivers: An Alarming Marginalization
Motorcycle taxi drivers, known locally as “boda-boda,” are often caught between a rock and a hard place, as precarious workers in a poorly regulated sector. Numerous studies show that the motorcycle taxi profession is linked to an increased risk of assault and accidents, not only due to criminal violence but also because of miserable working conditions and frequent abuse. According to a recent survey, nearly 60% of motorcycle taxi drivers reported being victims of assault or robbery in 2024, a figure that illustrates the precariousness and insecurity pervasive in this profession.
The tragedy in Likasi has only made an already critical situation worse. At the national level, it is essential to reflect on how the informal economy is treated by the authorities. The lack of protection and regulation for these workers weakens their position and makes them more vulnerable to violence, crime and exploitation.
#### A Necessary Response from the Authorities
Local authorities, alerted by the discovery of the bodies, have recorded the presence of grieving families seeking to identify their missing loved ones. However, the slowness of institutional reactions and the disparities in treatment in similar cases raise questions about the effectiveness of the justice system. How can law enforcement prevent such tragedies, and what has failed in the management of this crisis?
It is imperative that the government and communities take proactive measures. Investigations into violence must be conducted rigorously to avoid impunity. At the same time, preventive measures, such as strengthening security and establishing support programs for these vulnerable workers, are crucial to reduce violence and restore trust in institutions.
#### A Testimony Evoking a Real Social Awareness
In addition to political intervention, it is also essential to generate social awareness around the challenges faced by motorcycle taxi drivers. The community must be informed and involved in security initiatives, as protecting the most vulnerable is a collective responsibility.
The media plays a fundamental role here. By rekindling the debate on the security of informal workers, addressing the socio-economic roots of this violence, and advocating for sustainable solutions, journalists can transform this tragic news story into an opportunity for systemic change.
#### Conclusion: A Collective Emergency
The tragic discovery of the bodies of these motorcycle taxi drivers in Likasi should awaken our collective conscience. In a world where the lack of security can become a daily fatalism, it is essential to redouble our efforts to ensure the protection of all workers. Let us not wait for more lives to be lost to realize the urgency of collective action. It is time for unity, protection, and the revaluation of precarious professions to guarantee a safer future for all.