### popular justice in Matadi: between insecurity and despair
During the night from Thursday to last Friday, a tragic incident took place in Kinkanda, near the La Borne church, which illustrates the deterioration of the security situation in Matadi and the disturbing emergence of popular justice. A group of men, suspected of theft, was chased by residents. One of them was caught up, beaten and then delivered to expeditious justice, ending with his death by fire. This diverse fact raises essential questions about the security, impunity and response of the population in the face of a situation deemed unbearable.
### context and causes of popular anger
Recent events reveal a local context marked by increasing insecurity. Many districts report incidents in armed robbery and other criminal acts. The inhabitants, frustrated by their perception of an abandonment by the authorities, turn to self -managed solutions to protect their community. The night rounds, organized by young volunteers, are an example. However, this self-defense can quickly degenerate, as tragically illustrates this last episode.
Why does confidence in institutions to ensure security erodes in this way? What are the mechanisms at stake? In Matadi, as in other regions where the state struggles to meet the security expectations of citizens, some feel legitimized to take matters into their own hands. This phenomenon of popular justice, although potentially justified by a palpable fear, poses considerable ethical and moral challenges.
### The dangers of popular justice
Popular justice seems, at first glance, to be an immediate response to a perceived threat. However, it raises critical questions about the rule of law and respect for human rights. The case of the killed individual shows that these acts can lead to irrational violence, often guided by emotion rather than legal principles. The presumption of innocence is easily forgotten in the ardor of collective anger.
The complaints of the inhabitants must be heard. Many people live in permanent anxiety not to know if they can go home without incident. However, in a democratic society, this fear cannot justify the denial of fundamental rights. The consequences of such a dynamic are deeply disturbing: the weakening of the social fabric, the erosion of confidence between citizens and the police, and the risk of cycles of violence.
### to a constructive solution
Faced with this complex reality, what solutions could be considered to restore a balance between security and justice? The first step would be to listen to the population: organize discussion forums where citizens’ concerns can be expressed freely. The involvement of local authorities in open dialogues is crucial to restore community confidence and commitment to effective and human rights security strategies.
In addition, it is essential to strengthen the police presence and to ensure that the security forces are formed not only to maintain order, but also to interact with the community. The prevention of crime, through educational and socio-economic development programs, could also prove beneficial. Offering viable alternatives to delinquency is an essential route to reduce the level of insecurity and the recurrence of popular violence.
### Conclusion
Kinkanda’s tragedy is symptomatic of a deeper evil that gnaws not only Matadi, but many cities in front of similar challenges. Popular justice, although understandable in a context of fear and dissatisfaction, cannot replace the justice system. The exploration of constructive and inclusive solutions is essential to avoid new drifts and propose a future where human security and dignity can coexist. It is at this price that we can hope to relaunch a real dialogue between citizens and the State, and finally build a more fair society for everyone.