Two Police Officers Convicted for the Murder of Dr. Emmanuel Nawej in Kolwezi

Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, January 5, 2026 - Two officers of the Congolese National Police (PNC) have been convicted for the murder of Dr. Emmanuel Dibu Nawej, who died in police custody in Kolwezi, the capital of Lualaba province. The verdict was delivered last weekend following several public hearings. In total, five defendants-including four police officers and one civilian-were prosecuted on charges of violations of individual rights and freedoms and acts of torture. At the end of the trial, two police officers were found guilty. Benathar Christian Mwisange was sentenced to 24 months of forced labor, while Virginie Mujinga Kadima received a 12-month sentence. The court also ordered the two convicts to pay the civil party damages equivalent to 25,000 US dollars, in Congolese francs. The three remaining defendants, including two police officers and one civilian, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. In addition, the court ordered the burial of Dr. Emmanuel Nawej, nearly two months after his death, and the release of his remains to his family. Background Dr. Emmanuel Dibu Nawej died during the night of November 9-10, 2025, while being held in a cell at the Kolwezi Operations Coordination Center. He had been arrested following a minor traffic incident, in which his vehicle reportedly grazed that of a police officer near a supermarket. His death sparked public outrage, with witnesses and the provincial coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Arthur Kabulo, describing the circumstances as highly suspicious and calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. On November 11, dozens of doctors took to the streets of Kolwezi to protest Dr. Nawej’s death, demanding justice and the prosecution of those responsible.

Faits rapportés

Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, January 5, 2026 - Two officers of the Congolese National Police (PNC) have been convicted for the murder of Dr. Emmanuel Dibu Nawej, who died in police custody in Kolwezi, the capital of Lualaba province. The verdict was delivered last weekend following several public hearings. In total, five defendants-including four police officers and one civilian-were prosecuted on charges of violations of individual rights and freedoms and acts of torture. At the end of the trial, two police officers were found guilty. Benathar Christian Mwisange was sentenced to 24 months of forced labor, while Virginie Mujinga Kadima received a 12-month sentence. The court also ordered the two convicts to pay the civil party damages equivalent to 25,000 US dollars, in Congolese francs. The three remaining defendants, including two police officers and one civilian, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. In addition, the court ordered the burial of Dr. Emmanuel Nawej, nearly two months after his death, and the release of his remains to his family. Background Dr. Emmanuel Dibu Nawej died during the night of November 9-10, 2025, while being held in a cell at the Kolwezi Operations Coordination Center. He had been arrested following a minor traffic incident, in which his vehicle reportedly grazed that of a police officer near a supermarket. His death sparked public outrage, with witnesses and the provincial coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Arthur Kabulo, describing the circumstances as highly suspicious and calling for a thorough and transparent investigation. On November 11, dozens of doctors took to the streets of Kolwezi to protest Dr. Nawej’s death, demanding justice and the prosecution of those responsible.