Cleric probed over sex scandal

A rape accusation against a popular revivalist preacher, gospel singer and televangelist has highlighted the role of evangelical churches in the DRC. Pastor Moise Mbiye's congregation in Kinshasa has staunchly backed him over the scandal which has seen explicit images distributed and a lawyer shot. One of his former assistants, Eliane Bafeno, has filed a complaint against Mbiye for an alleged rape and her abortion, which is banned under Congolese law. A report on the News24 site notes that the Kinshasa prosecutor confirmed the charges had been filed, along with a complaint over ‘obscene images harmful to the dignity of Ms Eliane Bafeno’ which were published on social media. The lawyer who filed the case, Justin Lunanga, was allegedly shot and wounded on 26 January. ‘This is unacceptable because we are in a democracy,’ the Human Rights Minister Andre Lite said in a radio interview.