Kinshasa, August 27th, 2026 (CPA).- The Congolese singer Rebo Tchulo has been sentenced on Thursday to 12 months’ suspended prison sentence, to be served over 24 months, by the Ngaliema military court for inciting members of the armed forces to commit unlawful acts, during a hearing in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “The court finds, both in fact and in law, that the offence of inciting military personnel to commit acts contrary to their duties or discipline has been established against the defendant Deborah Tshimpaka, alias Rebo Tchulo, and sentences her on this count to 12 months’ imprisonment; and declares that this sentence shall be suspended for a period of 24 months”, has pronounced Captain Guy Kwesh, presiding judge. The court has also ordered the lifting of the precautionary measure prohibiting her from leaving the country, which had been imposed on her by the public prosecutor. “Orders the lifting of the precautionary measure prohibiting her from leaving the country, imposed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office,” has specified the presiding judge. With regard to the civil claim, the court has declared the claim brought against the singer Tchulo admissible but unfounded.
“In ruling on the civil claim, the court declares the claim brought against the defendant Tshimpaka to be admissible but unfounded; it declares it admissible. However, the civil claim brought against the defendants Zababu Musafiri, Kazadi Mputu, Mukalenge Kabeya, Kinkela Mayala, Mushila Mbangu, Lutondo Ngialangi, Kitambala and others, and orders these defendants to pay, jointly and severally with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in its capacity as the party liable in civil matters, the equivalent in Congolese francs of the sum of USD 20,000 for the harm suffered’, President Kwesh has also noted. Furthermore, the court has also sentenced the defendants Namumba Kongolo, Andy Mabunda, Seth Kanga and Masimwela Ngola to 10 years’ imprisonment each for torture, before also sentencing Second Lieutenant Zababu, the patrol leader on the night of April 17th-18th, the day of the events, Mukalenga, Mushila, Kinkela, Lutondo and Kitambala to five years’ imprisonment each. The court, has however, acquitted the defendants Bakatuleja and Rushondo of the charge of torture, as the offence had not been proven against them. The second lieutenant and doctor, Kazadi Mputu, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for extortion, along with a fine of 150,000 Congolese francs. The court has ordered the restitution of 250 dollars unlawfully obtained by Zababu, as well as a Samsung mobile phone, to the civil claimant Platini Sadisa. The convicted men have been informed of their right to appeal against this judgement.ACP/