“A motorized caravan was organized this weekend to showcase the new anti-riot vehicles intended for operation Black Panther. The goal was not to intimidate, but to reassure the population that they are well protected. It's to tell the people of Kinshasa and the authorities that they can sleep peacefully,” indicated Blaise Kilimbalimba, Provincial Police Commissioner.
He added: “Today, the people of Kinshasa must keep in mind that the police, thanks to operation Black Panther, has reached a higher level. It has just demonstrated its capacity to suppress and prevent crime. The authorities have provided us with vehicles and all the logistical means necessary to show that the police has reached another level of prevention and repression.”
According to this document, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Peter Kazadi, was present at the beginning of this motorized caravan. He addressed the elements of the police with these words: “In front of your leaders, I tell you enough is enough! The head of state has instructed me. He no longer wants to hear about Kuluna in this country. It starts with Kinshasa, then the operation will extend to different provinces. Kinshasa is the mirror of the country.”
And to emphasize: “It is imperative that the messages reach other provinces, that the Kuluna phenomenon is no longer present in the capital. That’s why you will use all legal means, respecting human rights to eradicate this phenomenon.”
The same source also specified that this caravan showcasing the anti-riot equipment provided to the national police of the city of Kinshasa started from the Ministry of the Interior towards the east of the capital, passing through the Yolo neighborhood, in the commune of Kalamu, before reaching the Ngaba roundabout, Matete, the Mokali neighborhood, in the municipality of Kimbanseke and that of Masina, in the district of Tshangu, East of the city. The Poids lourds avenues and June 30th Boulevard were the drop-off points.
GT