Catholic Bishops From Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe Rally Behind Archbishop Alick Banda
Catholic bishops from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe have expressed solidarity with Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda following his recent arrest and detention in Zambia.
The Association of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe (ACBC-MAZAZI) says it is “deeply concerned” about the legal proceedings involving Archbishop Banda and has called on authorities to ensure that he receives a fair, transparent and lawful process.
Archbishop Banda was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission on September 28 and charged with possession of property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
The case relates to a blue Toyota Hilux, registration number ALF 7734, which DEC alleges was unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority. The vehicle forms part of a wider investigation involving about 22 ZRA vehicles allegedly improperly disposed of. Archbishop Banda has pleaded not guilty.
He was granted K80,000 bail in his own recognisance, with three working sureties bonded at K50,000 each. He spent a night in custody before completing the bail formalities and was released on September 29.
Now the matter has attracted support beyond Zambia.
In a communiqué dated October 2, ACBC-MAZAZI extended its spiritual support to Archbishop Banda, the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, as well as the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The regional grouping has called on relevant authorities to ensure that the Archbishop is accorded due process in accordance with national and international legal standards.
The bishops have also urged all parties and members of the public to remain calm and prayerful and encouraged constructive dialogue and mutual respect as the court process continues.
The communiqué was signed by ACBC-MAZAZI President Rt. Rev. Raymond Mpandasekwa on behalf of the association’s Executive Board and member conferences.
It doesn’t matter where a catholic priest is from, those that were gathering people into on church building for them to be slaughtered like broiler chickens in Rwanda were catholic priest, hence one criminal from zambia is the same as other criminals in other countries.