DRC: Ruling party militants assault five cameramen

NOVEMBER 24, 2008

Mutombo Kayeba, Africa TV

Jean-Claude Bode, Tropicana TV

Jose Ngalamulume, Global TV

Olivier Mongilu, Congoweb TV

Yves Songila, Horizon 33 TV

ATTACKED

Members of a faction of the ruling Unified Lumumbist Party (PALU) loyal to Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito assaulted cameramen Kayeba of Africa TV, Bode of Tropicana TV, Ngalamulume of Global TV, Mbuilu of Congoweb TV and Songila of Horizon 33 TV, during a meeting at the party's headquarters in the capital, Kinshasa, according to local press freedom organization Journaliste en Danger and local journalists.

The cameramen later told CPJ that they had been invited to cover an event celebrating the re-election of Godefroi Moyobo as PALU permanent secretary, but were attacked by party members loyal to Moyob's rival, Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito, as scuffles broke out between militants. The five newsmen suffered minor injuries, including Bode, who told CPJ he was head-butted and needed to go to hospital.

Bode, Mongilu and Songila told CPJ they filed complaints with the police.

DRC: Ruling party militants assault five cameramen

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