Haut-Katanga: urgent measures recommended after polluted water spill in Kassapa

Lubumbashi, November 5^th, 2025 (CPA).– Safety and prevention measures have been recommended to the population of the Kassapa neighborhood in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga province, in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the spill of polluted water from a mining company, according to an official statement seen by the CPA on Wednesday. ‘The Lubumbashi City Council recommends that the population of the Kassapa neighborhood and its surroundings take the following urgent safety and prevention measures: Do not consume or use water from sources infected by the spill as it may contain toxic substances that are hazardous to health, and avoid direct contact with contaminated water by swimming or walking barefoot,’ said the statement signed by Patrick Kafwimbi, Mayor of the city. The urban authority has, through the same channel, called on the population to be vigilant in reporting any unusual symptoms and to stay tuned to the media or consult the official channels of the Lubumbashi City Council for regular updates and additional instructions from the health and environmental authorities. While calling for calm, teams of experts are currently working to assess the exact nature of the pollution and the extent of the damage, according to the same source. ACP/