NATIONAL HEALING MUST NOT SHIELD ANYONE FROM THE LAW – NEVERS MUMBA

NATIONAL HEALING MUST NOT SHIELD ANYONE FROM THE LAW – NEVERS MUMBA.

By Vickram Emmesa Mubita

Former Vice President Nevers Mumba has called for the rule of law to take its course in the matter involving Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Alick Banda, who is accused of receiving property that was allegedly unlawfully disposed of.

Dr. Mumba says the determination of the facts surrounding the matter remains the responsibility of the courts, urging the public to allow the judicial process to establish what transpired and determine whether any laws were breached.

Speaking in an interview with The media  in Lusaka today, Dr. Mumba expressed confidence in the country’s judicial system, saying the courts have the responsibility and capacity to resolve the matter involving Archbishop Banda within the confines of the law.

He said the country’s commitment to national unity, peace and healing should not be interpreted as an exemption from accountability, stressing that every individual remains subject to the law regardless of their position or status in society.

Dr. Mumba said Zambia must continue to uphold the principle that no individual is above the law, arguing that the credibility of the country’s institutions depends on allowing legal processes to operate independently and fairly.

He said calls for national unity and reconciliation remain important for the country, particularly in maintaining peace and social cohesion, but such calls should go hand in hand with respect for the rule of law.

According to Dr. Mumba, the courts should therefore be given an opportunity to examine the evidence and facts presented before them without undue political, religious or public pressure.

He emphasized that the matter involving Archbishop Banda should be handled through the established legal procedures, with all parties afforded an opportunity to present their positions before the courts.

Dr. Mumba has also called on members of the clergy to exercise greater caution when accepting donations, gifts or other forms of support from various sources.

He said religious leaders have a responsibility to ensure that donations received by churches and other religious institutions are properly scrutinized, particularly where the source, ownership or intended purpose of the property or funds is not immediately clear.

Dr. Mumba advised members of the clergy to consider turning down gifts whose origins or ownership cannot be satisfactorily established.

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He said such caution would help protect religious institutions from becoming inadvertently connected to disputes or transactions involving property whose ownership may later be challenged.

The former Vice President said religious institutions occupy an important position in society and therefore have a responsibility to maintain public confidence by ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity in the way they receive and manage donations.

Dr. Mumba’s comments come at a time when the matter involving Archbishop Banda has attracted public attention, with different opinions being expressed about the circumstances surrounding the property in question.

He maintained that regardless of the public debate surrounding the case, the courts remain the appropriate institution to determine the facts and establish whether any wrongdoing occurred.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mumba has condemned what he described as misrepresentation of President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

He has urged members of the public to look at the purpose and national interests behind the President’s international engagements instead of relying on what he described as misleading opinions.

Dr. Mumba said international engagements by the Head of State should be assessed based on the objectives they seek to achieve for the country, including opportunities to strengthen diplomatic relations, attract investment and expand economic cooperation.

He urged citizens to consider the broader national interests involved when evaluating presidential foreign trips, rather than focusing solely on political interpretations or opinions that may not accurately reflect the purpose of such engagements.

Dr. Mumba said Zambia stands to benefit when the country engages other nations and potential investors through diplomatic and economic platforms aimed at advancing national development.

He therefore called for responsible public discussion on matters of national importance, saying citizens should seek accurate information before forming conclusions about government programmes and international engagements.

Dr. Mumba’s remarks on the rule of law, the responsibility of the clergy and the President’s international engagements come as Zambia continues to navigate issues of governance, accountability, national unity and economic development.

He reiterated that respect for institutions and established legal processes remains critical to strengthening public confidence and ensuring that national matters are addressed fairly and responsibly.

KFT GLOBAL MEDIA