DRC: Trial begins for ten alleged perpetrators of the murder of Kabasele Wampanga

Kinshasa, June 9^th, 2025 (CPA) – The trial in flagrante delicto of ten alleged perpetrators of the murder of Kabasele Wampanga, an executive member of the Union for the Democracy and the Social Progress (UDPS), has begun on Monday before the High Court of Matete, sitting in the Echangeur square in the centre of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the extract from the case file read by the clerk, this preliminary hearing pits the prosecution against the following defendants: Lohata Famba Abbe alias Otondo, Wosha Medard Fils, Wusha Eli, Bokungu Ndjoli, Luyindula Mavungu, Moussa Hamadi, Patrick Tshiba, Katsio Jordin, Alomba Alomba Laurent, Wembo Mpia Cedrick and Shako Ilunga Pa. Questioned first, the defendant Lohata Famba Abbe, alias Otondo, has replied as follows: « I do not know Mr Wampanga, I have seen him that Friday. I have reacted by grabbing his belt after he has slapped me and tore my clothes, and then the adjutant has come. I left the gentleman in the hands of Adjutant Selenga, who separated us. I had left Mr Wampanga alive with Adjutant Selenga, and then I went to the 10^th Street base to report to our police officers. » Several people have appeared at the opening of the trial, including Adjutant Samuel Selenga, who was called as a witness to the altercation between the deceased Kabasele Wampanga and his attackers. The Matete High Court has adjourned the case until Tuesday, June 10^th, 2025, for further investigation.