Some stakeholders have criticised the government, acting through the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), for summoning Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda in connection with undisclosed investigations, describing the move as politically motivated. In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Patriotic Front (PF) presidential aspirant, Makebi Zulu condemned the UPND government’s decision to summon Archbishop Banda under what he described as the guise of anti–money laundering investigations. Zulu said the action was not only unwarranted but deeply alarming, arguing that it reflected a deliberate attempt to intimidate a respected religious leader who has consistently spoken truth to power.
“The Catholic Church has long stood as a moral compass for our nation, guiding society through principles of integrity, justice, and compassion,” Zulu stated. He emphasised that Archbishop Banda had been a courageous and consistent voice for accountability, fearlessly highlighting corruption, injustice, and poor governance. Zulu stressed that targeting him amounted to an attack on the moral ideals and democratic values he represents, describing the incident as another example of selective justice.
He further pointed out that while ministers and ruling party officials facing allegations were shielded and their identities concealed, the government had chosen to publicly malign a man of faith. Meanwhile, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) spokesperson, Anthony Chibuye, claimed that instead of fostering unity and development, Zambia was in the hands of what he described as hypocrites and criminals who have divided the country. Chibuye said the UPND government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, had disrespected the church through intimidation and corruption.
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“In this way, the FDD wishes to warn the cadres of Hichilema at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) who have been instructed to intimidate and disrespect His Grace Bishop Dr. Alick Banda,” he said. Chibuye described the summoning of Archbishop Banda as politically motivated and an act of intimidation and disrespect not only to the clergy but to the general populace.
He claimed that the alleged fight President Hichilema had long waged against the Catholic Church and Archbishop Banda was no secret, arguing that there had been several attempts to humiliate and intimidate the clergyman. “Therefore, the FDD wishes to call on all Catholic faithful to stand strong and defend the Church, which has long been a beacon of hope for millions of the downtrodden in our society,” Chibuye said.
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