Sankuru: population warned against theft of streetlights

Lusambo, March 30^th, 2026 (CPA).– A warning was issued Monday to the population by the mayor of the city of Lusambo, capital of Sankuru province, in central Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the theft of streetlights and solar panels installed for public lighting. “I warn the population against the theft of streetlights and solar panels installed along the main roads of the city, as a joint team of law enforcement agents, including the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the Congolese National Police (PNC), is already on the ground to track down the perpetrators and bring them before the competent judicial authorities,” said Louis Manga, Mayor of Lusambo. “I deplore these acts which have stripped Boulevard de la Liberté, particularly in the Bashikombe neighborhood, of its solar panels,” he added. “This message comes within the framework of a request to the above-mentioned security services, in the process of intensifying patrols and investigations, to apprehend these unruly individuals, enemies of the development of the provincial capital of Sankuru,” the mayor further stated. Mr. Manga also pointed out that these public lighting streetlights facilitate free movement at night and help detect any suspicious activity. To deter this practice, special services have been instructed to arrest anyone found in possession of these solar kits.