DRC ambassador to Kenya accused of stealing church land
John Nyakeru Kalunga, the Democratic Republic of Congo's envoy to Kenya has been accused of stealing land belonging to St John XXIII, located west of the capital city, Kinshasa.
Kalunga who also happens to be the brother-in-law to DRC's President Félix Tshisekedi is said to have hired a group of people who attempted to grab nine hectares from the archdiocese of Kinshasa.
"We have had the title of ownership of this concession of about nine hectares since colonial times," said Father Christian Ngazin, rector of the major theological seminary of St John XXIII.
Father Ngazin who accused the ambassador of state banditry claims people showed up on July 18 and attacked security guards as well as proceeded to start construction on their piece of land.
Father Ngazin was joined by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the archbishop of Kinshasa who proceeded to show journalists proof that the land was theirs.
"This land has belonged to the archdiocese of Kinshasa since colonial times," said the Cardinal. He was accompanied by the land titles registrar, mandated by the minister of land affairs.
