MOVEMENT FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
ICHABAICHE
OPEN LETTER
1 January 2026
To: His Grace the President
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) Catholic Secretariat – Kapingila House
Lusaka, Zambia
**Through:** The Secretary General, ZCCB
**Cc:** His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi , Nunciature, Lusaka, His Grace the Metropolitan Archbishop of
Lusaka, The President, Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), The President, Symposium of
Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)
RE: APPEAL FOR ECCLESIAL INTERVENTION IN THE TREATMENT OF ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA
Your Graces,
With profound respect and concern, this letter is addressed to you regarding the treatment of Archbishop Alick Banda by State investigative agencies.
The recent summons issued to him over a donated motor vehicle has created a widespread perception that State institutions are being used, not for impartial justice, but for the targeted intimidation of a Catholic shepherd who has spoken boldly on matters of governance and morality.
This appeal therefore seeks your moral and pastoral intervention so that the dignity of the Church’s mission and the freedom of its ministers are
safeguarded.
At issue is a vehicle allegedly donated to Archbishop Banda during a previous administration. Receiving a gift, in itself, does not constitute a crime. The
Church’s life and mission depend on offerings and donations made in good faith by the faithful and well-wishers. If pastors are now expected to
investigate the full legal and economic history of every donation before accepting it, the Church would be forced to abandon its primary pastoral work and become an investigative body. This standard has not been applied consistently, especially given that successive leaders, including the current Head of State, have made donations to churches and charities without similar scrutiny of the recipients.
If there were procedural irregularities in disposing of public property, accountability should rest first with those officials responsible for that process, not with Church leaders who received a donation in good faith. Singling out one Archbishop for such treatment inevitably raises questions about motive.
Many of the faithful perceive a pattern in which institutions of the State are used against those who “speak truth to power.” When law-enforcement
bodies focus on clergy and critics while appearing less visible in tackling large-scale corruption and economic crimes, confidence in their impartiality is weakened. This creates a climate of fear, shifts attention away from pressing national issues, and undermines belief that the fight against corruption is genuine rather than selective. When the Church’s prophetic voice is intimidated, the poorest, who rely on that voice, are the most harmed.
In this context, the following is respectfully requested of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops:
1. A clear public statement affirming the right and duty of the Church and its leaders to receive legitimate gifts in good faith and to speak openly on
governance, justice, and human dignity without fear of reprisal.
2. A united pastoral stance declaring that the harassment or selective targeting of one bishop on account of his moral teaching or pastoral witness is an attack on the Church’s mission as a whole.
3. High-level engagement with the State, through firm but fraternal dialogue, to express concern over the treatment of Archbishop Banda and to urge that investigative institutions act with impartiality, proportionality, and respect for the Church’s work.
4. Guidance to the faithful encouraging support for their shepherds through prayer, lawful solidarity, and peaceful expression of concern, while avoiding violence or disrespect for legitimate authority.
History shows that the Church is often tested by pressures that seek to silence its prophetic witness, sometimes through legal or administrative means.
If the intimidation of one Archbishop passes without a clear and united response, future Church leaders may inherit a public space where the Church’s voice is tolerated only when it is silent on painful truths. Conversely, a firm, measured, and pastoral response today can strengthen the Church’s moral authority for years to come.
It is in this hope that this appeal is made—that the Catholic Church in Zambia, in communion with the wider Church in Africa and the Holy See,
will respond with unity, clarity, and courage, defending both the integrity of its shepherds and the welfare of the people they serve.
Respectfully submitted,
Hon. Binwell Mpundu
Nkana Member of ParliamentBinwell Mpundu
President, Movement for Good Governance
Member of Parliament, Nkana Constituency
MGG HQ, Plot No 2, Mpasa Street, Jesmondine, Lusaka, Zambia binwellmpundu@yahoo.com +26097793315
Thank you very much Hon Binwell Mpundu for your letter to the ZCCB copied to the Apostolic Nuncio, the Pope’s Representative in Zambia. The Arch Bishop of Lusaka Diocese has suffered victimisation,insults , Hate and ridicule from the time the UPND took over government.
The Zambia Revenue Authority disposed off 22 Vehicles, and as per evidence given in court various individuals and Institutions including Hospitals and Councils were among the reciepients. To single out one Reciepient out of 22 , who infact even returned the vehicle, as the only one who committed a crime suggest the motivation is not a corruption fight, but a fight against the Lusaka Arch Bishop who is seen as the only one able to stand up against this government.
Sadly there are some moles in the ZCCB, and as Catholics we are able to see that the Council is not able to speak with one voice. Hakainde has managed to divide this organization.
It’s only under this government that whenever the ZCCB tries to write a Pastoral Letter to communicate with Catholics, the President strangely gets wind of this, and pre-empts this by inviting them to State house.
Even on the illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7, some Bishops were quiet, living only the Kasama, Mpika, Mansa , Chipata and Lusaka Diocese to handle the task alone.
The Solwezi, Ndola, Monze , and Livingstone Dioceses were Quiet.
Hakainde is trying to isolate the Lusaka Arch Bishop, from the ZCCB as part of his Fresh Imingalato as we head towards the 2026 Presidential and General Elections.
He has been dishing out Millons of Kwacha to other Churches, obviously to buy their loyalty, but has found it difficult to do the same with the Catholic Church, seen by the Refusal to accept the K800,000.00 donation by the Mansa Diocese.
The only way at his disposal is Victimisation of one Figure Head.
The summoning of the Arch Bishop should therefore be seen within this context.
The ZCCB needs not be prodded. They should freely react on their own. Hon Binwell Mpundu has seen it fit to write to them because he knows, as I know that there is a problem in ZCCB.
There should be a firm stance, not through the Secretary, or Vicar General, but through all of the Bishops. What is happening to the Catholic Church is not an isolated incident…It is a pattern against any Catholic Church Clergy seen to voice out an opinion on the happenings in the country..It happened in Kabwe, Ndola, Chipata, and Lusaka.
The Catholic Church should abandon it’s moral mission in the country under this government..It should be converted into a Praise Singing Organisation for Hakainde.
Let the ZCCB be seen to protect the Church which is under attack from this government.
Typo… Leaving only, and not living
Your behavior is misguided, blind, and shallow, damaging the reputation of the Catholic Church. This investigation concerns an individual’s possible misconduct, not the church itself. Grow up and think maturely. Binwell Mpundu, whom you support with your pointless analysis, is merely a loud and empty politician, who is going nowhere after the August general election. Binwell = Munuir = JJ who have squandered their opportunities to represent their people.
Regarding Alick Banda, he is mature enough to speak for himself and share his side. Avoid dismissing lawlessness by encouraging groupthink just because Alick Banda, a cleric, should know better. Do not underestimate the Catholic faithful or equate them with narrow-minded individuals like you. People educated in Catholic schools can attest to the value of discipline.
The Head of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ. Write to him and tell him about money laundering and ichipaso. See how he shall whip you out of the synagogue together with your pharisee
Why only him who received a gift from more than 60 vehicles at zra and no other church ? Receiving stolen property is also a crime.