🔴 EVENING WIRE | Actors Mobilize Ahead of Archbishop Banda DEC Appearance as Govt Speaks
Political and religious tensions rose sharply on Sunday as opposition leaders, senior Patriotic Front figures, and Catholic faithful converged at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka for prayers ahead of Archbishop Alick Banda’s scheduled appearance before the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday.
The gathering, framed as a prayer service, doubled as a show of solidarity with the Lusaka Archbishop, who has been summoned by the DEC’s Anti–Money Laundering Investigations Unit in connection with a Zambia Revenue Authority Toyota Hilux allegedly irregularly disposed of during the previous PF administration.
The vehicle was reportedly gifted to Archbishop Banda during that period.
Earlier in the day, the Lusaka Archdiocese issued internal guidance calling on Catholics to attend a solidarity mass at 08:00 hours on Monday before “dutifully reporting” to the DEC offices. The directive, signed by Vicar General Fr Andrew Simpasa, also instructed all parishes in Lusaka to read the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statement at Sunday masses.
The bishops’ statement describes the summons as an attempt to “suppress the Church’s prophetic voice.”
Opposition figures, including PF leaders and allied parties, attended the cathedral prayers, signalling political backing for the Archbishop.
Social media messaging from opposition leaders frame the summon as persecution, with calls for Catholics to escort Archbishop Banda to the DEC gaining traction online, raising concerns of a possible procession.
Government moved quickly to draw firm lines.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu addressed journalists, stressing that the DEC’s action was “lawful, routine, and not political.”
He said the summons did not imply guilt and applied to Archbishop Banda strictly “in his personal capacity,” not as a representative of the Catholic Church.
“No one is above the law,” Mwiimbu said, warning that any public gathering or procession not notified to police would contravene the Public Order Act.
The Minister cautioned political actors and clerics against mobilising crowds around a law enforcement process, describing such actions as potentially illegal. He emphasised that Zambia has a long tradition of senior public figures, including Presidents and religious leaders, appearing before investigative agencies without claims of persecution.
He added that police would only provide security to maintain peace and order and would not interfere with prayer meetings.
DEC Director General Nason Banda has also previously warned against turning the summons into a public spectacle, stating that a call-out is a private investigative step intended to allow an individual to explain themselves and conclude a matter.
The DEC lead said the Archbishop’s name emerged from court proceedings linked to illegally disposed state assets and that the vehicle in question is in DEC custody.
As night fell, public opinion remain sharply divided. Supporters of the Archbishop view the summon as an attack on the Catholic Church, while others argue that separating faith from personal accountability is essential to the rule of law. The standoff has placed church–state relations under intense scrutiny, with the risk that Monday’s appearance could test both public order and political restraint.
Government, however, signalled an opening for de-escalation. Minister Mwiimbu disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema has received a request for dialogue from Catholic bishops and has welcomed engagement, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to dialogue on matters of national interest.
Monday morning is now shaping up as a critical moment. Whether events unfold quietly, as authorities insist, or tip into confrontation will depend on how both political actors and church leaders navigate the fine line between prayer, protest, and the law.
© The People’s Brief | Francine Lilu &: Mwape Nthegwa
Agreeably when Government institution processes for disposal of public property is intentionally broken to facilitate an unsolicited gift, it raises questions as to legal implications on the motive of such dubious actions.
Unfortunately the Archbishop is compromised by having allowed himself to be involved in the allocation of a wrongly disposed government property.
This is an eye opener to the clergy to be careful with political players who are willing to abandon the principles of governance for political expediency.
The glaring issue here which is not being addressed is how the politicians can directly influencing appointed government workers to appease targeted citizens who oversee potential voters.
As a country we seriously need to advocate for laws that will strive to keep the State machinery from being used to manipulate innocent citizens who maybe vulnerable. Here the biggest culprits are the politicians who remain invisible in such messy issues leaving the poor civil servants to answer for the broken processes which the are supposed to obey.
Those implicated in such schemes can easily claim ignorance of the internal laid down procedures. Leaving the blame to the poor officers who were afraid of being fired if they refused to comply.
Hence to the recepients of such gift they same remain legitimate until it is pronounced otherwise by the giver. I mean who can refuse a gift of auch magnitude , especially that it supposedly came from a government institution.Food for thought.
Therefore the politicians can not claim indemnity over such matters they personally crafted for their personal political gain.
In my opinion what is critical to look at is the glaring government processes which unscrupulous politicians can abuse and manipulate for their personal or political gain.
Personally ,I feel the clergyman unfortunately is a victim of political manipulation which is very difficult to control.
Therefore, the real culprits is actually the politicians who are the invisible players using the innocent employees who are afraid of repercussions if they resist wrong instructions.
So lets extend this all the way to parliament where the law makers, who through their association with power influence decisions through the people they appoint through the Executive.
I think a more noble and productive discussion now should be about the need to enforce independence in decision making of certain public offices so that they are answerable to the citizens and not only to the appointing authorities. Independence is very critical. This is the big Elephant in the room.