19 members of the defence and security forces have been sentenced to several years of penal servitude, almonds and damages for rape victims, including children. In addition, 4 were acquitted and released immediately on Monday, August 30, 2021.
Sentences pronounced at the end of the public trial held by the Military Court of South Kivu sitting in repressive matters for rape with violence and rape of children, in the grounds of the Peace Court of Walungu in South Kivu.
Read also: Rape of minors: more than 20 police and military appear on appeal in Walungu
A total of 9 police officers and 10 soldiers have been sentenced to between 12 months and 20 years of Main Penal Servitude and the payment of damages between 2000 and 10,000 US dollars in favor of the victims who were mostly minors. Rapes that had been committed in several entities and agglomerations of South Kivu. It is for example at the Saïo Military Camp (Bukavu), Walungu, Kabare, Uvira, Fizi, etc.
Satisfaction of the civil parties, the defense will appeal
The lawyers of the civil parties are satisfied with the verdicts that have been pronounced against the « executioners ».
« For us it is a feeling of total satisfaction because out of 20 cases that were lined up by the Military Court of South Kivu, we have just obtained 16 confirmations of judgment from the first judge. I call on the military and police to respect the law because if they manage to break it, they will have justice behind them, » said Migabo Ngabo, a lawyer at the South Kivu Court of Appeal, who pleaded for the civil party.
On the other side, the defense part promises to attack these judgments of the Military Court of South Kivu.
« Firstly, it is a great joy to see that the Military Court of South Kivu has just acquitted some of the accused who appeared during these 10 days. Among these accused, we have just benefited from 4 acquittals. Really, it remains an example for justice to follow. For those who have been convicted, we promise to go to the High Military Court to see if this court can overturn these decisions of the Military Court of Bukavu, » said Edom Cikuru, lawyer at the Court of Appeal of South Kivu, defense lawyer.
An acquitted, jump of joy
First Sergeant Mazombo John was among the acquitted. He was sentenced at first instance for child rape to 15 years of Main Penal Servitude and damages equivalent to 5000 US dollars. He jumps with joy after reading the sentences.
Indeed, the appeal judges acquitted him and also ordered his immediate release for insufficient evidence.
« The joy is immense, I don’t know what to say. I give thanks to God and today, I believe in Congolese justice, » he proclaims, with tears.
An educational and exemplary trial for women’s rights
For the first President of the Military Court of South Kivu, this trial has a pedagogical and exemplary character.
He calls on all military and police personnel to respect women’s rights, because justice is extremely rigorous in matters of rape, especially the rape of children.
« I ask the men who serve under the flag to respect human rights. Avoid sexual and gender-based violence. As yourself you have seen, most of the victims are children under the age of 18 and women who have been taken from the hands of their husbands or raped in front of their brothers and children. It was so savage that the court couldn’t be lenient, » Colonel Magistrate Mayembe Sangala Innocent told LaPrunelleRDC.Info.
Read also: South Kivu: 8 soldiers and 2 police officers sentenced for rape
This trial has been held with the financial support of the Panzi Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Congolese Women Lawyers (AFEJUCO) and the international organization Kvinna Till Kvinna, in its project « Support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, through legal and judicial support and awareness-raising for better protection of women’s rights in the city of Bukavu and in the territory of Kabare ».
It started on August 20, 2021 and ended on August 30, 2021.