With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda wa Kamanda Muzembe

"This is not a simple murder, it is an assassination with premeditation." These were the words on Wednesday, March 2, of Colonel Longwango, auditor general representing the public prosecutor's office, regarding the double crime committed by police from the infamous Simba battalion. The roles were clearly defined if one refers to the confessions of the defendants in the assassination of two human rights activists from the NGO The Voice of the Voiceless Floribert Chebeya and Fidèle Bazana in June 2010.

Following the questioning during this appeal trial, it was finally understood that fugitive General John Numbi is indeed the person who gave the order, Colonel Longwango asserted. And he proceeded to accuse Daniel Mukalay wa Mateso, the planner who directly cooperated with Christian Kenga Kenga in the execution of this macabre project. Jacques Mugabo and Doudou Ilunga, for their part, admitted to having killed on orders from their hierarchy, the auditor general noted.

Acquittal requested for Paul Mwilambwe

As for Paul Mwilambwe, head of security for the installations of what was then the inspector general's office of the national police, he was cleared of charges and his acquittal was requested. Based on the statements of the defendants, Colonel Longwango explained that Mwilambwe had been abducted and held in custody to prevent him from testifying to what he had seen on the evening of June 1, 2010, the date of the assassination of the two human rights defenders.

The commander of the Simba battalion, Christian Kenga Kenga for his part, has refused to appear since the beginning of the trial.

► See also: [Investigation] DRC: those who killed human rights defenders Floribert Chebeya and Fidèle Bazana