DRC: Yvonne Kapinga Threatened During Reporting on School Wall Collapse
Three people posing as migration agents demanded Kapinga delete all her images and videos
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: June 17, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses full support for Yvonne Kapinga, a correspondent for ACTUALITE.CD based in Goma. Kapinga faced threats while covering the aftermath of a school wall collapse in Goma's Mapendo district. While interviewing injured schoolchildren and teachers, she was confronted by three people claiming to be agents of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). They demanded the deletion of all images and videos captured at the scene. We strongly denounce the intimidation and harassment of journalists carrying out their duties, which flagrantly violates press freedom. We call for a comprehensive investigation into the threats and for those responsible to be held accountable.
On June 17, 2024, Yvonne Kapinga, a correspondent for ACTUALITE.CD based in Goma, was threatened while covering the aftermath of a school wall collapse in Goma's Mapendo district. Kapinga was approached by three individuals posing as agents of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), who demanded that she delete all images and videos she had captured at the scene.
Kapinga was interviewing injured schoolchildren and teachers when the confrontation occurred. Despite presenting her professional credentials, the individuals persisted in their demands, accusing her of being an undercover agent sent to Rwanda. The situation escalated, creating a dangerous mob mentality that endangered her safety.
“The woman started shouting, 'Infiltrator, infiltrator, she came to film to send the images to Rwanda,'” Kapinga says. “Suddenly, a crowd gathered, some people with sticks ready to lynch me.”
This disturbing incident is part of a broader pattern of harassment faced by journalists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as documented by Women Press Freedom. Journalists frequently encounter physical assaults, detentions, and censorship, operating in an environment where regulatory bodies impose severe limitations on media reporting and expression.
Women Press Freedom stands firmly with Yvonne Kapinga, strongly condemning this egregious violation of press freedom and the harassment she endured. We call on authorities to thoroughly investigate this breach of journalistic rights, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure a safe environment for the media to perform their duties without fear of intimidation. Protecting press freedom and guaranteeing the safety of journalists reporting on critical issues is imperative.
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