(JED/IFEX) – On 10 May 2004, Laurent Lukengu, a journalist with the Tshikapa-based privately-owned radio station Kasaï Horizon Radio Télévision (KHRT), was detained from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time). The journalist was arrested by Tshiendesha Muinyapale, a police officer who oversees Tshikapa city hall’s association with outside partners. Tshikapa is the second largest […]
(JED/IFEX) – On 10 May 2004, Laurent Lukengu, a journalist with the Tshikapa-based privately-owned radio station Kasaï Horizon Radio Télévision (KHRT), was detained from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time). The journalist was arrested by Tshiendesha Muinyapale, a police officer who oversees Tshikapa city hall’s association with outside partners. Tshikapa is the second largest city in West Kasai province, central Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
While in custody, Lukengu was interrogated about a news story that aired during his 8 May news report, which included criticism of the poor treatment meted out to Congolese citizens who are expelled from Angola and return to the DRC via Tshikapa. Several of the Congolese citizens told KHRT radio that they had not received the financial aid that Tshikapa city hall reportedly collected for them from local merchants.
Following his interrogation, Lukengu was brought before Tshikapa Mayor Hubert Mbingo Vula, who reportedly demanded that the journalist provide him with a list of the local merchants who had contributed funds for the Congolese citizens returning from Angola. The mayor warned Lukengu that he would file a lawsuit against him if he failed to bring him the list within 48 hours.
