Rape of a minor: prosecution of the alleged perpetrator’s mother authorized

Kinshasa, October 12^th, 2025 (CPA). – On Saturday, the juvenile court in Kinkole, east of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorized the public prosecutor to bring proceedings against the mother of a child in conflict with the law (alleged perpetrator of rape) for obstruction of justice, during a hearing.  ‘The court has decided to authorize the public prosecutor to bring legal proceedings against Ms Mayenga Muyudi, the mother of Malungidi Siku, and the alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against the 14-year-old victim Kinzungidi Mazungu,’ said the presiding judge.  He added that these proceedings were a consequence of the fact that the woman had signed an undertaking to appear with the child in conflict with the law at all court hearings. It is clear that the child in conflict with the law was absent from several court hearings.  Echoing this sentiment, the public prosecutor stated that the procedure for returning the child in conflict with the law to his parents is legal after his arrest, but that we will not tolerate this woman’s attempts to shield the child from justice. He added that as the child in conflict with the law, Kinzungidi Mazungu, was the perpetrator of sexual violence against the victim, Malungidi Siku, the parents no longer wish to attend hearings with this child, even though criminal procedure requires his personal appearance and expeditious proceedings in rape cases. ACP/