‘Wild’ Police Officer Allegedly Kills Two Chinese Workers in DR Congo
Although it is unclear why the police officer suddenly went rogue and killed the Chinese workers, locals claimed the alleged murder was triggered by disagreement over beef sharing for the New Year celebration.
A police officer guarding a road construction allegedly shot at three Chinese workers on December 29, 2024, in the Lomani province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Two of them died instantly while the third sustained injuries and was rushed to the Christ-Roi Reference Hospital of Mwene-Ditu.
Bora Uzima Justin, the military auditor of the Mwene-Ditu garrison, said the culprit, Mutombo Kanyemesha, alias “The Wild” escaped into hiding after the shooting.
It is unclear why the officer would kill the workers. However, some eyewitnesses claimed the incident was provoked by disagreements in sharing beef from a cow slaughtered for the New Year celebration.
The remains of the dead have been moved to Mbuji-Mayi, a town in the Kasai Oriental province, with locals worried about the continuation of the road project, which is crucial to the development of the city.
The military auditor has called on all persons with information on the whereabouts of the policeman to report to the competent public security authorities.
It wasn’t the first time Chinese nationals were killed in DR Congo, with China urging the country to protect its citizens against heinous attacks. In July 2024, for instance, six Chinese workers were killed by some menacing militia group in the northeastern part of DR Congo. Several other nationals also went missing during the attack.
Addressing the issue at a press conference, Mao Ning, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said efforts were being made to free the abducted nationals.
“We demand that the DRC side hunts down the perpetrators as quickly as possible and strictly punishes them by the law,” Ning said, asking the Congolese government to “take steps to strengthen the protection of Chinese citizens and companies in the area.”
A police officer in the Democratic Republic of Congo allegedly shot three Chinese workers, killing two instantly, with the third sustained injuries and was hospitalized. The suspect, known as "The Wild," fled the scene, and the military auditor has requested public assistance in locating him. Witnesses suggest the incident may have been caused by a dispute over sharing beef for New Year's celebrations.
This isn't the first violence against Chinese nationals in the region. China has urged DR Congo to protect its citizens following prior attacks, including the murder of six workers by a militia. Chinese officials are pressuring the Congolese government to apprehend the perpetrators and enhance security measures for its nationals and companies in the area.
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