A Democratic Republic of Congo policeman has shot a student who was not wearing a mask while filming on the streets of the capital, witnesses said on Sunday.
“Our friend Honore Shama, a student in the faculty of arts at the University of Kinshasa, was filming a video as part of his acting practical work requirement,” Patient Odia, a friend who was present at the confrontation, told AFP.
“A policeman told him to wear a mask during the filming.”
“Despite his (Shama’s) explanations and after having showed him a mask, the policeman, who was expecting to be offered money, became infuriated, accused him of resisting and shot him at point-blank range.”
Other witnesses told a similar story to the popular Top Congo radio as well as several online news sites.
The policeman responsible has fled and the city’s police are searching for him, the head of Kinshasa police, General Sylvano Kasongo, told AFP.
“Police have detained two police officers, present during the incident provoked by their irresponsible colleague… as well as the head” of a local police station, he said.
“The search continues to find the fugitive policeman,” Kasongo said.
Wearing a mask is obligatory in DR Congo, with transgressors fined 10,000 Congolese frances (five dollars, four euros).
In Kinshasa, police are regularly accused of harassment and of pocketing the mask fines they collect.
DR Congo has registered 47,786 Covid-19 cases and 1,021 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Vaccinations have been halted in the country since July 10, because the AstraZeneca vaccines in stock passed their expiration date.
As Nigerians express their frustrations over the recent fuel price hikes by the Nigerian National…
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially removed companies that failed to file their annual…
The Senate on Thursday agreed with the House of Representatives' recommendation to replace the death…
Monday Odigie, the coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, has resigned from his…
Robert Lewandowski has reflected on the time he nearly joined Manchester United in 2012, only…
Maduka Okoye has reflected on his first appearance for the Super Eagles in two years.…