Police Officer Shoots Student For Not Wearing Mask In DR Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo Policeman shot a student for not wearing a face mask, according to witnesses on Sunday.

Gatekeepers News report that the victim, Honore Shama was filming for a practical work project on the streets of Kinshasa when confronted by the Police.

Patient Odia, a friend who was present at the confrontation, told AFP that: “Our friend Honore Shama, a student in the faculty of arts at the University of Kinshasa, was filming a video as part of his acting practical work requirement.”

“A policeman told him to wear a mask during the filming.”

“Despite his (Shama’s) explanations and after having shown him a mask, the policeman, who was expecting to be offered money, became infuriated, accused him of resisting and shot him at point-blank range.”

The accused policeman has fled and the city’s police are searching for him, according to General Sylvano Kasongo, Head of Kinshasa Police, who noted that two police officers who were present at the scene of the incident have been arrested as well as the head of a local police station.

“Police have detained two police officers, present during the incident provoked by their irresponsible colleague… as well as the head of a local police station,” he said.

“The search continues to find the fugitive policeman,” Kasongo added.

In DR Congo, wearing a mask is obligatory and transgressors are fined 10,000 Congolese frances (five dollars, four euros).