The victims of the demolition of their homes in the Golf ISTM Kolwezi neighborhood spent their first night in front of the Lualaba Provincial Assembly. On the eve of May 13, 2026, they called on the authorities to relocate them.
Nearly two months after the destruction of their homes in the Golf ISTM neighborhood, sadness is still etched on the faces of the victims. The Lualaba provincial government has not kept its promise to relocate them. This has led the former residents of the Golf ISTM neighborhood to spend sleepless nights in front of the provincial assembly building.
In front of the Provincial Assembly, these victims resemble refugees, victims of a natural disaster, or homeless people. The men and women, even the youngest, decided to spend the night by the roadside. They were not allowed to enter the assembly grounds. However, it was in front of the assembly's fence that they placed their mattresses and mats to express their frustration. And their determination remains the same: to not let up on the government after the demolition of their homes.
“They demolished our houses even though we had all the necessary legal rights. We will continue to spend the night here until the provincial government compensates us and relocates us,” insisted Mr. Justin Muhigirwa, one of the former residents of Golf ISTM.
Victims of demolition carried out without respect for the law
Meanwhile, the victims' collective laments the delay in the opening of the March session by the elected officials. This session was also supposed to address the demolition of their homes. “We have been abandoned even though the assembly had already been informed of our case. We will stay here with our wives and children, even during the rainy season,” the collective emphasized. The Lualaba provincial government demolished the houses in the Golf ISTM neighborhood of Kolwezi on March 20, 2026. The victims went to court but have not yet won their case. Currently, the Golf ISTM neighborhood is completely razed, giving it the appearance of a ghost town.
La Guardia Magazine / MCP, mediacongo.net via IMCongo.com
