125 Mining Police Deployed in South Kivu to Combat Mineral Fraud

A unit of 125 police officers specialized in the fields of mines and hydrocarbons, including 9 women trained in mining police, completed their training and were deployed in the field on Tuesday August 28. 

This initiative is part of the “Mining Police” project, funded by the Government of the United States of America through the INL Office (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs), with the aim of combating mining fraud and illicit mineral trafficking.

After three months of intensive training, these police officers will be deployed to various mining sites in South Kivu, including Misisi in Fizi territory, Luhihi in Kabare territory, Kamituga and Kitutu in Mwenga territory, Numbi in Kalehe territory. , and Katogota in the territory of Uvira, as well as in other regions of the province.

The training provided to the police covered 41 different subjects, totaling 402 hours of lessons. This includes 10 general courses (71 hours), 14 professional technical courses (176 hours), 11 specialized courses (80 hours) and 9 legal courses (76 hours). 

This comprehensive preparation aims to equip these police officers with the necessary skills to face the complex challenges related to mining fraud and mineral trafficking.

For the governor of South Kivu, Théo Ngwabidje Kasi, this training is crucial to stemming criminal activities linked to the mining sector in the region. “The mining sector has become a hotbed of crime in South Kivu, requiring maximum professional security.

 I salute the efforts of the IOM (International Organization for Migration) to target this mining sector and fight against the illicit trafficking of minerals as well as against narcotics”, underlined Théo Ngwabidje.

This newly formed team is the fourth cohort to benefit from IOM training, financially supported by INL (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs).

 During the deployment ceremony, the Deputy Divisional Commissioner and Provincial Commissioner of the Congolese National Police (PNC), Roger Isiyo, urged the police to put their teachings into practice to ensure the safety of mine operators and property.

While the province of South Kivu has more than five mining territories, civil society has reported the presence of armed men in mining areas, creating a climate of insecurity. 

To remedy this situation, already 500 police officers have been trained to ensure the security of mines in the province.