DRC uncovers shocking 64,000 ghost police officers in audit

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is confronting an unprecedented crisis within its national police force. A government-led audit has exposed a staggering reality: 63,817 police officers are classified as either ‘ghost employees’—nonexistent on paper—or ‘inactive’, out of a total of 157,886 officially registered personnel.

This alarming revelation slashes the operational workforce to a critical low, pushing the police-to-citizen ratio far below the threshold needed to ensure public safety across the nation. The audit’s findings have sent shockwaves through the security sector, raising urgent questions about accountability and resource allocation.

In response, authorities have launched a sweeping verification campaign, combining physical identity checks with the issuance of biometric identification cards. The initiative will commence in Kinshasa before expanding systematically to all 25 provinces. The overarching goal is to construct a secure, tamper-proof database, eliminate duplicate and fictitious positions, and streamline payroll, recruitment, and promotion processes.

Security reforms amid rising crime

According to audit conclusions, the irregular workforce represents an annual financial hemorrhage of between $99.8 million and $233 million for public coffers. This reform is part of a broader $2.55 billion modernization program slated through 2030, which includes plans to recruit and train 90,000 new officers, restructure security institutions, and strengthen community-police relations.

Such sweeping changes come at a time of heightened public concern over escalating insecurity, particularly in Kinshasa. Residents report a surge in violent crimes—armed robberies, kidnappings, and assaults—undermining daily life and eroding trust in law enforcement. President Félix Tshisekedi has publicly urged accelerated crackdowns on criminal networks while accelerating reforms to bolster the effectiveness of security forces.