Kinshasa - A Congolese hospital renowned for treating war rape victims has had its bank accounts frozen for alleged tax fraud, preventing it from paying its staff and prompting them to go on strike.
The Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, run by Dr Denis Mukwege, says it is being unfairly targeted by the authorities in Democratic Republic of Congo. A local rights official said it was being punished for Mukwege's criticism of the government's failure to bring rapists and other rights abusers to justice.
Provide better care
Having treated thousands of women raped during 15 years of conflict in eastern Congo, Panzi has drawn international attention for its work to heal victims of sexual violence. Last year Mukwege won the Sakharov Prize, the European Union's top human rights award, and was tipped for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mukwege said in a statement that staff had gone on strike on 31 December and the crisis was threatening the hospital's ability to buy medicines.
"We need to act urgently, in the interests of patients who we must provide better care for and in the interests of staff at Panzi who have not been paid," he said.
In a separate statement, Panzi said 500 staff at the hospital had not received their December salaries.
Antoine Fundiko, a doctor at Panzi, said the hospital had been handed a $600 000 tax bill even though, as a national referral centre, it should be exempt from paying tax on salaries.
Ousted in revolt
While receiving a string of international prizes, Mukwege is a frequent and highly vocal critic of rights abuses, poor governance and lack of basic services in Congo. He called on people across Africa in November to follow the example of Burkina Faso, where veteran leader Blaise Compaore was ousted in a revolt sparked by his bid to extend his time in power.
The message would have resonated in Congo, where President Joseph Kabila is weighing up his options as his second and final term in power is due to come to an end in 2016.