Bandits Terrorize Kinzau-Mvuete After Period of Calm

Kinzau-Mvuete, Kongo-Central Province, January 3, 2026 - A wave of criminal attacks has shaken the town of Kinzau-Mvuete, in Sekebanza territory, Kongo-Central province, after several homes and businesses were targeted by bandits locally known as “Kulunas.” According to police sources, the attacks occurred between December 31, 2025, and the evening of Friday, January 3, 2026, spreading fear and panic among the local population. The assailants reportedly looted valuables and cash, leaving several victims injured. Sylvain Bakulu, Police Commander of Kinzau-Mvuete, confirmed the incidents and called on the population to cooperate with the police in order to facilitate the arrest of the perpetrators. Victims reported that the masked and armed attackers operated in groups during the night of December 31 to January 1, mainly targeting the Mobutu and Mbenza Thubi neighborhoods. According to testimonies, the assailants threatened residents with death before ransacking their homes. In total, around fifteen houses were attacked, and several people were seriously injured, some suffering machete wounds during the assaults. The police commander noted that the attacks came after a long period of relative calm in the area. He attributed the resurgence of violence to the recent release of several suspected bandits by the prosecutor’s office of the Kinzau-Mvuete Court of First Instance, citing a lack of formal complaints as the reason for their release. Security forces say investigations are ongoing as authorities seek to restore order and safety in the town.