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Kinshasa, September 23, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to immediately release music journalist Virginie Manganga, who was arrested on Sunday for her interview with a woman who alleged that she had an affair with musician Fally Ipupa.
“DRC authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Virginie Manganga, decriminalize defamation, and join the growing community of African nations that have already done so,” said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal. “Detaining two journalists on criminal defamation and false news charges in a single week highlights how the DRC is escalating pressure on the media.”
On September 20, five prosecutor’s office agents, with an arrest warrant, detained Manganga as she was leaving Antenne A television channel’s studios in the capital, Kinshasa, after hosting her music show, local journalist Jordache Diala told CPJ and the digital outlet KinshaStar reported.
On August 25, Manganga hosted a two-hour YouTube show where she interviewed Collette Tuzaa about her allegations about Ipupa, which she first made on social media on August 21, and made comments about her claims.
Ipupa’s lawyers said in a September 8 statement that the Congolese music star had initiated legal proceedings in three countries against the Congolese Australian woman, those who shared her posts, and those who organized livestreams with her.
Ipupa’s marketing director, Eddy Badiata, told CPJ via phone on Tuesday that the musician was not involved in Manganga’s arrest and was not the complainant.
On Sunday, Manganga was charged with defamation and dissemination of false information and detained in the city’s Criminal Records Office, which is part of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, a person with knowledge of the case told CPJ, on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisals.
On Monday, Manganga was questioned at the public prosecutor’s office, in the presence of Ipupa’s lawyers about her broadcast, that person said.
On Tuesday, Manganga was transferred to the Kinshasa/Gombe Peace Court, where she was charged and detained, Diala told CPJ. If found guilty, Manganga could be jailed for up to five years.
CPJ’s calls to request comment from Ipupa did not go through as his line was busy.
Journalist Trésor Muntu was imprisoned on September 15 for sharing an X post on WhatsApp and charged with charged with defamation and publishing false news.
In March this year, Uganda became the latest African nation to decriminalize defamation, after Malawi (2025), South Africa (2024), Seychelles (2021), Sierra Leone (2020), Liberia (2019), Gambia (2018), Lesotho (2018), Zimbabwe (2014) and Ghana (2001).
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