Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “Street children are hunted here and probably between 20 and 30 of them have already been killed” a Salesian missionary in the south eastern Congo region of Kasai where a group of street children were massacred by diamond seekers in Mbuji-Mai the main city in the region. In a report sent to Fides the Salesians expressed horror for the atrocities committed against defenceless children “we wish to voice our indignation for this act of cold blooded violence”. On September 25 a group of men armed with sticks and knives came to the door of the Muetu Don Bosco (Mbuji-Mayi) professional training centre which cares for about 80 street children. The men, local diamond seekers, said they were searching for a gang of street children which had been stealing and practising witchcraft. Despite protests on the part of the Salesians the men managed to take two of the boys and stone and burn them alive, there in front of the Home. “Unfortunately street children are deeply disliked by everyone. A manhunt for them started by local diamond seekers is supported by the people who refuse to hide the boys and do nothing to stop the violence” local sources told Fides. “These children suffer twice: abandoned by their families and forced to leave their villages because of war, they are rejected as evildoers. No one wants them. No one helps them. Schools are almost non existent and for the state authorities street children are simply a menace” the local sources report.
Besides condemning violence against street children the Salesians call for an inquiry to establish the truth and punish those responsible. Political authorities in Mbuji-Mayi are calling for free primary school service; measures to punish people who falsely accuse children of witchcraft; parents to realise their duty to educate their children; concrete support for institutions which assist and rehabilitate children at risk. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 5/10/2004 righe 33 parole 427)