What Really Happened to Patrice Lumumba’s Body
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What Really Happened to Patrice Lumumba’s Body
In a shocking revelation, Gérard Soete, a former Belgian colonial police officer, has confessed to dismembering and dissolving the body of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in sulfuric acid. Lumumba was assassinated on January 17, 1961, near Elisabethville, now known as Lubumbashi.
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Soete, who was tasked with disposing of Lumumba’s body, described the gruesome process in an interview. “I cut up Lumumba’s body into 34 pieces with a chainsaw,” he said. “We started by getting drunk to build up our courage. The hardest part was cutting them into pieces before pouring acid on them.” Soete added that there was almost nothing left of the body, except for a few teeth, and the smell was unbearable.
Soete claimed that he performed this act to prevent a potential uprising by Lumumba’s supporters. “To save thousands of people and maintain calm in an explosive situation, I think we did the right thing,” he said, despite acknowledging the “moral crisis” he experienced after the event.
The assassination of Patrice Lumumba was a pivotal moment in Congolese history, and the revelations about his body’s disposal have sparked controversy. Lumumba’s legacy continues to be felt, with many regarding him as a hero of Congolese independence.
Soete’s confession has shed new light on the circumstances surrounding Lumumba’s death. The Belgian parliamentary commission of inquiry into Lumumba’s assassination began its work on May 2, 2002, and Soete was set to testify. Soete’s testimony provides a detailed account of the events following Lumumba’s assassination, including the disposal of his body.
Patrice Lumumba’s legacy extends beyond his tragic death. He remains a symbol of Congolese independence and a figure of great importance in African history. His story serves as a reminder of the complex and often tumultuous nature of colonialism and its aftermath.
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