The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched an investigation following reports of vandalism at the Kinshasa mausoleum of independence hero Patrice Lumumba. The vandalism, discovered on Monday evening, involved damage to the coffin that housed a tooth believed to be one of Lumumba’s only remaining body parts.
Lumumba, the country’s first democratically elected prime minister, was assassinated in 1961 after only a short time in power. His death followed the violent overthrow of his government, and his remains were gruesomely desecrated. A Belgian police officer reportedly took Lumumba’s tooth and dissolved much of his body in acid, before burning the rest. The tooth was returned to Lumumba’s family in 2022, more than six decades later.
The culture ministry confirmed that the mausoleum had been breached, with the coffin found ‘open and empty’ on Tuesday morning. However, officials have yet to confirm if the tooth was stolen or if it remains in the mausoleum.
Juliana Lumumba Amato, the late leader’s daughter, condemned the incident as a ‘despicable and incomprehensible act.’ Speaking to Reuters, she expressed her shock at the desecration, noting that her father had ‘sacrificed his life for his country and the Congolese people.’
The ministry has assured the public that the site has been secured and a full investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the vandalism. However, the Minister of Communications has yet to provide further details on the matter.
This latest act has reignited sensitivities surrounding Lumumba’s brutal assassination and the ongoing efforts by his family and the Congolese people to honour his legacy.
Source:
Reuters
