Early Problems

It was in the late 1940’s that the publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses began to circulate in the Congo, but there were no real Witnesses to direct their use. Native groups called themselves “Watchtower” members, but they twisted Bible teachings and mixed such with their superstitious customs and immoral way of life. They often refused to pay taxes and otherwise resisted the government. It is no surprise that the Belgian government outlawed these movements of “Kitawala,” as they were called. But they wrongly identified Jehovah’s Witnesses with these false “Watchtower movement” practicers and refused to admit any genuine missionaries of Jehovah’s Witnesses who could have helped to clear up the matter.

Traveling overseers had to sort out those who were really interested in following Bible truths and those who were false Kitawala movement members. This work was not easy.