Haut-Katanga: the provincial deputies condemn the prison conditions at a prison in Kipushi

Kipushi, May 24^th, 2026 (CPA).- The prison conditions at Boma Prison in Kipushi, in Haut-Katanga, a province in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been condemned by the province’s deputies during an inspection visit carried out on Saturday at the said prison. “As elected representatives, we will not accept these conditions because people are not sent to prison to die but to be rehabilitated, and afterwards they must reintegrate into society to set an example as good citizens,” has declared Michel Kabwe, President of the Haut-Katanga Provincial Assembly. “We will do everything we can to ensure that work begins on relocating the septic tanks, which must be built outside the perimeter fence to allow inmates to breathe properly,” he has added.  Mr Kabwe has reminded that during their last visit with the provincial governor, they had promised to build the prison wall and expand the space to improve living conditions. Another problem, he has explained, “was the toilets, because the septic tanks are inside, emitting an unbearable odour, as we have just experienced again today”. The President of the Provincial Assembly has reminded that the deputies had previously asked the Attorney General to organise mobile court sessions, so that prisoners who have committed minor offences could be released to relieve overcrowding in the prison. He has announced that, to this end,  that the permanent committees on Security, Human Rights and Social Affairs will meet as early as Monday to follow up on this matter. “We will draft the letter today, refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the President of the Court of Appeal, and copy in the Minister in charge of Justice so that he is aware of what is happening here. We cannot tolerate this, as these conditions are not normal. Someone who is arrested is not sentenced to death,” he has insisted, before highlighting the persistence of infectious diseases within the prison. “Some among the detainees are suffering from contagious diseases, which risks negatively impact the health of others who show no signs of illness,” he has said, emphasising the need for care for sick prisoners. Certain political, administrative, military and judicial authorities have also carried out an inspection of this prison to assess prison conditions. CPA/