DR Congo: more than 500 arrested in Haut-Katanga
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Kivu Morning Post
The Congolese National Police arrested more than 500 people in Kambove, Haut-Katanga, and seized around 30 firearms and ammunition in Lubumbashi. The operation aims to restore state authority at a mining site and dismantle suspected networks of bandits, according to provincial police authorities.
More than 500 people were arrested on Sunday 1 November in Kambove territory, about 30 kilometres from Likasi, during a special operation by the Congolese National Police (PNC). The operation was supervised by divisional commissioner Blaise Kilimbalimba and provincial Interior Minister Jean-Jacques Kashiba, according to Kivu Morning Post.
Police also dismantled a suspected gang network in Likasi and seized around 30 firearms and ammunition at Major Vangu camp in Lubumbashi. In Kambove territory, the operation targeted, among others, people illegally carrying out functions reserved for state services at the Kambove Mining site, according to the Haut-Katanga police chief.
A strengthened security presence is to be maintained in Kambove to combat illegal activities, secure mining operations and restore the control of public services, police announced.
The operation follows the suspension of the head of SAEMAPE, the Congolese service for support and supervision of artisanal mining, on 27 October, and the publication on 30 October of a report stating that there were 5,000 soldiers in the mines of Greater Katanga.
