HOME AFFAIRS PS DISMISSES CLAIMS GOVT IS PERSECUTING THE CHURCH
By Nelson Zulu
Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dickson Matembo has dismissed concerns that there is a scheme by government to persecute people who speak on behalf of citizens such as the church.
Mr. Matembo says government cannot be against the church, which he says is an important institution in the development of society, but maintains that individuals must be held accountable for their actions regardless of their religious affiliation.
He says the arrest or questioning of an individual who commits an offence while associated with a church should not be interpreted as persecution of the church, arguing that accountability should be based on the substance of the alleged offence and not the institution or political party to which the individual belongs.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Matembo also questioned the selective application of human rights concerns when individuals are accused of insulting government or threatening the President.
His remarks follow concerns raised by Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President Archbishop Ignatius Chama, who in his Monday homily said that the persecution of Catholic Church leaders in relation to the arrest of Lusaka Archdiocese Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda, was unwarranted and warned that those seeking confrontation would like others to rise and give them an opportunity to shed more blood.
PHOENIX NEWS