Scientology infiltrates Belgium’s Congolese community

The Church of Scientology wants to spread its activities to Congo and is using Belgium’s large Congolese community to get its foot in the door. According to a recent report by the State Security that was seen by La Dernière Heure and Het Laatste Niews, Bertin Mampaka, vice-president of the Brussels Parliament and a Brussels councillor, and Justine Kasa-Vubu, daughter of former Congolese president Joseph Kasa-Vubu, are both members. The church would promote the “political ascent” of Mampaka and encourage the return of Kasa-Vubu to the Congolese political scene, by making available financial, human and logistical resources. The Kasa-Vubu Foundation is acting as a recipient for all the aid, according to the newspapers. Mampaka has denied knowing anybody belonging to the church. The report also claims that the organisation supports the rebel M23 military group backed by Rwanda that is currently destabilising eastern Congo. State Security submitted its report last month to justice minister Annemie Turtelboom and foreign minister Didier Reynders, among others.