The trial for the murder of three inspectors of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) and their two companions opened on August 22 in Dekesha, in the territory of Kazumba in Kasai Central, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The inspectors and their companions were murdered during clashes with Kamuina Nsapu militiamen in Muoyo Musuila. This trial, which is expected to last five days, is an important step in the fight against impunity for serious crimes committed in the DRC, particularly in the Kasai region.
The National Association of Victims of Congo (ANVC) has welcomed the opening of this trial and expressed its hope that the presumed culprits will be convicted so that justice can be done for the victims. ANVC Coordinator, Mhyrrand MULUMBA, stressed the importance of valuing victims by prosecuting the perpetrators of these criminal acts.
The ANVC, which is following the proceedings closely, hopes that the truth will come out during this trial and that the culprits will be held accountable for their actions. MULUMBA pointed out that justice must be done in the name of the Congolese people, and that the victims are an integral part of this people. The outcome of this trial will therefore be decisive for the reaffirmation of the authority of Congolese justice.
Among the defendants, Mulumba Kamuakala Thomas, a member of the Kamuina Nsapu militia, was arrested a few years earlier. His guilt will be assessed in the next few hours, and the decision to be rendered by the Kasai Central Court of Appeal will have a significant impact on the fight against impunity and on confidence in the Congolese judicial system.
This trial highlights the need to prosecute the perpetrators of serious crimes in the DRC in order to ensure justice for the victims and to deter militias and armed groups from committing such acts. He also recalls the importance of strengthening the Congolese judicial system so that it can face these challenges and guarantee the security and protection of all citizens