The Tonse Alliance wishes to condemn in the strongest Mr Obvious Mwaliteta’s reckless attack on the Catholic Church as stupid, unfortunate and dangerous.
President Hichilema was just sworn in on Tuesday and there is tension still in the nation over the electoral process which has left us divided and agrrieved as a people. And no responsible leader can open their mouth and issue such a reckless statement.
The Catholic Church has been an indispensable partner in the governance system of Zambia. The church as provided spiritual, educational, social and other guidance in the national with greater achievements. The church as remained consistent throughout it’s mission of preaching the gospel and as the defender of social justice.
The Church as fought injustices in society under every administration without attaching faces to it. The testament to this consistency is demonstrated by the key role the Church played in the release of President Hichilema from Mukobeko Prison.
Clergymen such as Rev Dr Alick Banda and Late Emeritus Bishop Telesphore Mpundu and the Entire ZCCB stood for change when the PF had become intolerant just as the UPND have become.
It’s therefore reckless and not true that President Hichilema is hated by the Catholic Church or Anyone. Moreover, the UPND administration has many of it’s members who are Catholics such as the secretary to Cabinet and Hon Felix Mutati. Is Mwaliteta telling us then that these Catholics hate President Hichilema?
Therefore, we urge president Hichilema to crack a whip on Mwaliteta for this unwarranted and reckless attack on the church. Let President Hichilema tell Mwaliteta to show the nation evidence of how Catholics in Mutendere and Kaliliki hate President Hichilema whom they have not interacted with.
We know that Mwaliteta is excited and drank with joy because he is going to Parliament to enjoy tea and allowances. But President Hichilema must measure how such dangerous statement from is son will isolate him from the church. It’s a fact and not pretence that not everyone whether in the family, UPND , opposition or Church either Catholic or SDA loves or hates the President.
And any well meaning Zambian including the UPND must condemn this reckless conduct by Mwaliteta especially now that there is wider calls in the national for national reconciliation and unity.
Issued by:
Anthony Chibuye
Deputy Spokesperson
Tonse Alliance/FDD
Unfortunately, he is right. This church’s position on the current President and government is clear. Those paying a blind eye to this situation are themselves wrong.
You keep on bringing in the President. Why can’t you address Mwaliteta directly without referring to the President ?