An unusual die-off that raises questions
The death of thousands of fish in the Lubumbashi River raises questions about the state of the environment in the economic capital of Haut-Katanga. The phenomenon, reported in the Mampala neighborhood in September 2026, was brought before the Provincial Assembly, where deputy Julien Kasenya presented a motion for information during the plenary session on Thursday, October 8.
The elected official drew attention to the potential consequences of this incident, particularly for populations who frequent the banks of the river and consume products that may have been exposed to contamination. He called for the establishment of a parliamentary commission tasked with collaborating with the competent public services to determine the causes of this die-off.
Mining activities at the heart of the questions
The Congolese Observatory for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (OCPDH) also raised the alarm about the situation in a statement addressed to the provincial Minister of the Environment.
According to this organization, many fish, mainly catfish, were found dead during the night of September 14 to 15, 2026, near Boulevard Katuba. The OCPDH claims that residents, including women and children, collected these fish for two days, raising fears about their consumption or sale.
The organization raises the hypothesis of pollution by toxic substances potentially linked to mining activities. This lead, however, remains to be verified. In the absence of publicly released scientific analysis results, no precise origin can be established and no company can be formally implicated.
Analyses awaited to establish responsibilities
Beyond the search for causes, this episode raises the question of environmental monitoring of waterways and the prevention of health risks in a region marked by the intensity of mining activities.
The OCPDH is calling for investigations, laboratory analyses and urgent measures to protect the populations of the Katuba, Kenya and Lubumbashi communes. The organization also deplores the insufficiency of measures intended to prevent the recovery and consumption of the dead fish found.
Analyses of the water and fish would notably make it possible to look for possible contaminants and to determine whether the observed die-off results from chemical pollution or another phenomenon. Their results would be essential to guide protection measures and, where applicable, establish responsibilities.
An environmental and economic issue
The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizes the right to a healthy environment and provides obligations for its protection. The Mining Code also frames the environmental responsibilities of operators in the sector.
If contamination linked to economic activity were confirmed, identifying its source and establishing responsibilities would be decisive steps for the application of the relevant legal provisions.
For the provincial authorities, the priority is now to shed light on this incident, to communicate the results of the investigations and to prevent any exposure of the population to potentially contaminated products. In a province where mining activities occupy an important place, the protection of water resources remains a major public health and environmental governance issue.
Héritier Maila / Demester Maloba
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