Kinzau-Mvuete (or Kinzao) is a town in the Kongo Central province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) north of Matadi.[2] It had an estimated population of 18,676 as of 2012.[1]

Kinzau-Mvuete
Kinzau-Mvuete in 2021
Kinzau-Mvuete in 2021
Kinzau-Mvuete is located in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinzau-Mvuete
Kinzau-Mvuete
Coordinates: 5°29′48″S 13°17′21″E / 5.496686°S 13.289273°E / -5.496686; 13.289273
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
ProvinceKongo Central
TerritorySeke-Banza
Population
 (2012 estimate)[1]
 • Total
18,676

The commune (municipality) of Kinzau-Mvuete is one of the eight administrative divisions of Seke-Banza Territory.[3] It is at a crossroads, and is a center of trade for the territory with large urban centers such as Muanda, Boma, Matadi and Kinshasa.[4] In June 2007 it was reported that the 22 kilometres (14 mi) road running north from Kinzao to Seke-Banza was in an advanced state of deterioration following torrential rains. The authorities were planning to raise money to fill the potholes through tolls.[5]

The area around the town has been illegally deforested, with the wood used to make charcoal or as lumber for construction.[6] In 2009 it was reported that poaching was widespread in the nearby Mayumbe forest, with villagers killing any animal they could catch and smoking the meat for sale. Some species such as wild boar and porcupine were at risk of being wiped out in the region.[7]

The Higher Institute of Rural Development (ISDR) in Kinzau Mvuete was founded in 1993 and opened in February 1994. It provides training in practical agricultural techniques.[4] As of February 2009 there were recurrent shortages of drinking water due to lack of supply pumps.[8] Education on family planning is lacking, and sexual violence is common. According to the health center, 75 adolescent girls aged 13 to 17 became pregnant in 2009.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Bas-Congo: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazeteer. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  2. ^ a b Alphonse Nekwa (March 27, 2010). "Kinzau-Mvuete : instruites sur la planification familiale et les violations sexuelles". Infobascongo (in French). Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  3. ^ Institut National de la Statistique–RD Congo (March 2017). Annuaire statistique 2015 [2015 Statistical Yearbook] (PDF) (in French). p. 8 Tableau 1.3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 2 Jan 2023.
  4. ^ a b "INSTITUT SUPERIEUR DE DEVELOPPEMENT RURAL KINZAU-MVUETE (ISDR/KINZAU-MVUETE)" (in French). MINISTERE DE L'ESU. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  5. ^ Tshiala David (1 June 2007). "La route Kinzao-Mvuete-Seke-Banza en état de délabrement très avancé". Le Potentiel (in French). Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  6. ^ "Bas-Congo : la déforestation au Mayombe prend une allure inquiétante". VIGILANCE RDC (in French). 31 January 2009. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  7. ^ "Kinzau Mvuete : alerte contre le braconnage". Radio Okapi (in French). 7 December 2009. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  8. ^ Thomas Lubanga (February 6, 2009). "Seke-Banza : la cité de Kinzau Mvuete en panne d'eau potable". Radio Okapi (in French). Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-26.