Cameroon: CDHC encourages probe on alleged serial rapist

By Eratus Ndueh

The Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CDHC) has issued a press release in response to allegations of human rights violations involving a Cameroonian citizen, which are currently circulating on social media. The allegations include attacks on the right to life, physical and moral integrity, sexual assault, kidnapping and sequestration, and sexual harassment impacting dozens of people.

However, as the allegations are anonymous, the CDHC noted that they cannot be dealt with as they should. Typically, the Commission would receive the allegations, interview the applicants, examine the evidence, and hear from the alleged victims, accused, and witnesses. The CDHC encouraged the alleged victims to contact them via their toll-free number, 1523, to enable the commission to carry out investigations.

The CDHC also acknowledged a complaint filed by a Cameroon citizen with the Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Douala-Bonanjo calling for an investigation into individuals for defamation, complicity, and death threats.

The CDHC urged competent authorities to investigate the allegations impartially and take the requisite legal measures based on the findings and will be closely monitoring developments. As allegations of human rights abuse in Cameroon continue to surface, many are calling for urgent intervention to curb the violation of fundamental human rights of citizens.

Recently, several women complained of being raped and abused by businessman Herve Bopda, who is accused of running a serial rape cartel in Cameroon. The news was first shared by a whistleblower and social media Activist popularly called “Nzui mantou”. Dozens of testimonies were shared including a Facebook Live show that saw more than a hundred thousand watching.

Apart from the Commission, Lawyers and rights groups have called on State prosecutors to investigate the allegations.