In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two weeks before the start of the school year, the Lubusha school complex in Lubumbashi in the former Katanga is threatened with demolition. Two priests sold, to a Chinese mining company, mining squares including the site of the high school, belonging to the Catholic Church and composed of a primary school and a high school for girls. The exploitation would be estimated at 300,000 tonnes of copper metal.
With our correspondent in Lubumbashi, Denise Mahého
Following this sale, the provincial government of Haut Katanga even set up a commission responsible for the relocation of this establishment, which was built nearly 50 years ago, which provoked reactions both in the teaching community and among policies. Everyone opposes the destruction of this heritage.
Consulting
The Archdiocese of Lubumbashi conducted consultations with representatives of teachers, parents of students and even former students of Lycée Lubusha. All are unanimous on the preservation of this school.
” It is true that the ground and the subsoil belong to the State, but who is the State? The state is us, the people. We say no to relocation, no to demolition, no to destruction of Lubusha High School “, declared, in a firm tone, Francois Mwingila, driver at Lubusha high school.
Eder Kibala, a primary school teacher for 30 years, says he is ready to do anything to preserve this school which has served for so many years: “ We don’t want to hear about that anymore. Otherwise, we will besiege the site. Let the Chinese start by destroying us, before demolishing the school. »
Inheritance
While acknowledging the sale of part of the land of Lubusha high school by two priests two years ago, without the authorization of the bishop, Monsignor Denis Moto, vicar general, assures that the Church is fighting to safeguard this heritage. : “ The priests quoted in this sale have been suspended. No one accepts that we lose this heritage, that we destroy it! In any case, we oppose it. »
Read also: DRC: Lubusha high school land sold to a Chinese mining company
For his part, Congolese politician and former governor, Moïse Katumbi, in a statement called on Congolese authorities, ” to regroup by prohibiting the demolition of Lubusha High School “.