Josué Kaniki Sentenced to Death for Mother’s Murder

Kinshasa, February 27, 2026 - The Kinshasa/Matete High Court sentenced Josué Kaniki to death on Thursday, February 26, 2026, for the murder of his mother. In addition, he received three years of penal servitude for cannibalism, the offense of consuming human flesh. Under the rules governing concurrent sentencing, only the most severe penalty, the death sentence, was enforced. The court also ordered the immediate arrest of Kaniki and mandated the payment of $50,000 USD in damages to the plaintiff for all harm suffered. The verdict concludes a summary trial that has sparked outrage among the population of Kinshasa in recent days, highlighting the case’s shocking nature and the court’s firm stance on severe crimes.