Protect your voters’ cards, priest urges Catholics after Alick Banda’s summons
A CHINGOLA-based Catholic priest has urged Catholics across the country to take care of their voters’ cards ahead of this year’s general election, saying they should use the ballot to protest the summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda to the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
Fr Augustine Mwewa, who is also president of the Local Catholic Clergy in Zambia, said Catholics angered by the move against Archbishop Banda should channel their frustration through voting.
Fr Mwewa charged that the UPND administration had decided to ‘declare war’ on Catholics by summoning the Archbishop.
He claimed the summons was another form of mingalato (tactics) by the government aimed at silencing voices critical of its leadership.
“We will not allow anyone to intimidate us. It is a pity the government has chosen to declare war against the Catholic Church. The government has been saying that it will be using different mingalato, this is the mingalato we are seeing,” he said.
Fr Mwewa further rated the UPND administration’s performance at one out of 10 since it assumed office in 2021.
“The government doesn’t want divergent views because it has not performed as promised. Out of 10, I can give them one or two but they are claiming that they have performed,” he stated.
He warned that government could use the cyber law against Christians but they should not be shaken.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, January 2, 2026
One bishop is not the catholic church. Period.
Are catholics fed by the bishop?
When the bishop commits an offence, does he do so for and
in the name of the Catholic church?
Just declare your political interests openly pastor mwewa.
Those claims are nothing but assumptions, UPND is one of the most peaceful governments this country has ever had. It has a very high regard or respect for the Church and when we say the Church, we mean all Churches including Catholic Church. There’s no fight whatsoever between the government and the Catholic Church unless some Catholic priests ent to start one now. But HH and the UPND government are not for fighting, they are there for peace and unity. Summoning someone in itself is not an arrest, to the contrary, it’s an opportunity even to clear the Archbishop’s name. If the Archbishop is innocent, why all these worries and talkings because nothing will happen to him. The Police, DEC and ACC don’t arrest innocent people, they only arrest offenders. Jesus is coming soon, priests should concentrate on preaching the gospel and leave politics to politicians.
Which elective position is this catholic priest standing on during the 2026 general elections??
Only gullible followers shall obey such a wayward instruction. In fact, your membership should write to the Vatican to protest against this rogue priesthood that has taken over the Catholic Church. Political cadres are masquerading as priests and are using the Church as a pseudo pf wing.
This priest still thinks we are still living in the 19th century when people were uninformed and followed whatever priests and other leaders said. News flash Mr priest, this time around, most people are well informed and can make their own decision on any matter regardless of who is involved. So, in this priest’s thinking, priests should be left scott free, even if they commit a crime? What kind of God does he serve who supports criminality?
We are Catholics but we can never support you and your divisive mindset.Instead of preaching the word of God you are there preaching politics. Stop hiding behind the church come out.No all Catholics are UPND neither are they pf
Am a Catholic and won’t allow the victisation of Clergy and the Church.
Indeed the Voters card is ready. Never again are we going to allow a Government which divides everything in the Land.
The Sacreds and the Non Sacreds..the untouchables and the touchables.
It divides people on Tribe.
Even the National Team is not escaping these people.
It also divides the body of Christ between Adventists and Catholics.
And also wants to divide the Catholic Church Bishops, and the entire Catholic Church.
On 13th August,2026 this government should go. Let the message go to all the faithful , in Cell groupings to the remotest Catholic Church in Zambia.
We have eyes and can see what is happening in Zambia.
For four years this government has been talking about the Motor Vehicle, which the Bishop voluntarily surrendered.
The man has been insulted, ridiculed and tried by Ruling Party officials, Rogue Media and State Vuvuzelas and found guilty.
Stop Tormenting the Bishop.
On 5th January Arrest , Charge him and arraign him before the Court of Law if you have a prosecutable case against him.
If not close the case and clear the Bishop of any wrong doing.
Am Tired.
Stop Tormenting our Bishop.
Are you the only Catholic to dictate how the law enforcement agencies should work? Just relax, if he is innocent, he shall be cleared, but if not, be will face the law, simple. Why are you so apprehensive if the man is innocent?
Out of 10 provinces only priests from one regional are the one talking nonsense why?? The quietness of the other priests means that they are not happy with these priests.
The Catholic Church should remain calm and allow due process to take its course. All persons, regardless of position, religious affiliation, political party, or social standing, are equal before the law and presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda by the DEC should not be misinterpreted as persecution or harassment by the New Dawn Government. Likewise, some overzealous priests should stop misleading the faithful with claims of torture or intimidation.
This matter should be handled calmly by the DEC, and opposition political players must refrain from spreading misinformation or exploiting the situation for political mileage.