Congolese preacher given SA sanctuary

Democratic Republic of Congo pastor Joseph Mukungubila Mutombo, wanted in his homeland for alleged involvement in violence more than three years ago, had obtained asylum in SA, his spokesman said on Monday.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) pastor Joseph Mukungubila Mutombo, wanted in his homeland for alleged involvement in violence more than three years ago, had obtained asylum in SA, his spokesman said on Monday.

“He has obtained political asylum following a March 30 decision” to that effect, Charlie Mingiedi said.

“It is a relief. He can now once again involve himself in political life,” Mingiedi said of the controversial Mukungubila, who claims to be a prophet.

South African officials, who had previously rejected the pastor’s asylum requests, had no immediate comment to make on the approval.

Kinshasa wants to question Mukungubila, who has described himself as “God’s last envoy to humanity”, about violence that left more than 100 people dead.

The Congolese government blamed him for orchestrating a spate of attacks in December 2013 on the airport, the main army headquarters in the capital and in the second city of Lubumbashi in the east.

He fled to SA, where he was arrested in May 2014 on an Interpol warrant issued at Kinshasa’s behest at his house in a Johannesburg suburb before being released on bail.

At the time his lawyer said he stood accused of murder, intentional and aggravated assault, malicious destruction, and illegal and arbitrary detention.

South African authorities eventually dropped the case, citing lack of evidence.

Mukungubila, who denies the allegations against him, stood against President Joseph Kabila, whose regime he has bitterly criticised, in his country’s 2006 elections.

According to Mingiedi, the pastor will not return home but will keep up the pressure on Kabila from abroad.

“There is no return to [Congo] but he will continue to mobilise the Congolese people against the dictatorship ruling the country,” his spokesman said.