The government has warned against attempts to politicise the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), saying the matter is strictly between law enforcement and the individual concerned.

Addressing journalists on Sunday, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, said the Archbishop has been summoned to appear before the DEC on Monday, January 5, 2026, in his personal capacity and not as a representative of the Catholic Church.

“This matter has nothing to do with the Catholic Church. It is a matter between the Drug Enforcement Commission and Archbishop, Alick Banda, as an individual,” Mwiimbu said, emphasising that no one is above the law.

Read more: Banda: Catholic Archbishops berate Hichilema government, allege state-sponsored persecution of cleric

He noted that the Constitution obliged every citizen to cooperate with lawful investigations. “Under Article 43(1)(f), every Zambian is required to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. That is a constitutional requirement,” he said.

Mwiimbu warned that calls by political actors and members of the public to gather at DEC offices would be unlawful.

“Law and order will prevail.
The Public Order Act is still in force, and anyone wishing to engage in public processions must notify the police,” he said, adding: “I call upon all law-abiding citizens not to participate in illegal gatherings.”

The minister recalled that President Hakainde Hichilema, while in opposition, appeared before police more than 15 times without mobilising supporters, noting that law enforcement strictly enforced regulations at the time.

“The police were firm. They never allowed anyone to appear in support. That was the order of the day,” Mwiimbu said.

He said Archbishop Banda’s appearance before the DEC would follow lawful procedures, with the Commission determining who may accompany him, including legal representatives and, if permitted, bishops.

Mwiimbu said political processions or mass mobilisation would not be allowed.

“This issue is being politicised, and that is not acceptable. The Archbishop is a religious leader. He is not a political player,” Mwiimbu said, rejecting claims that the government was targeting the Church.

He reassured the public that religious activities, including prayers, would not be interfered with.

“No one will interfere with prayers. That right is guaranteed,” Mwiimbu said, adding that security agencies would provide protection to ensure public safety while due process is followed.

The minister confirmed that government had received a letter from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops seeking dialogue and said President Hichilema was open to engagement.

“As the President has stated, dialogue is the only way forward. Government looks forward to engaging the Church on issues of national interest,” Mwiimbu said.

“We are one Zambia, one nation. Let us allow the law to take its course in a calm and orderly manner,” he said.

A consortium of 10 civil society organisations has defended the Drug Enforcement Commission’s (DEC) decision to summon the Archbishop of Lusaka over a motor vehicle allegedly linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), stating that religious office does not place any individual above the law.

Addressing a press briefing held at Mika Hotel in Lusaka on Sunday, Consortium Chairperson, Isaac Mwanza, said the investigation should not be framed as an attack on the Catholic Church or an attempt to silence its prophetic voice, as suggested by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB).

Mwanza said while expressions of solidarity by the Church were understandable, they must not be interpreted as efforts to interfere with a lawful investigative process.

He said the law addresses conduct, not status, title, or ecclesiastical authority, and that no individual is exempt from accountability under the rule of law.

The consortium said legitimate questions had arisen following disclosures made in court proceedings linked to the former ZRA Commissioner General, where it was alleged that the motor vehicle was initially intended for a ZRA employee under a purchase arrangement but later ended up in the possession of the Archbishop.

Mwanza said issues requiring clarification included how the vehicle changed ownership, who facilitated its registration, what documentation was used, and whether lawyers or other professionals were involved in the transaction.

“These are questions of accountability, not persecution,” he said, adding that answering them was consistent with transparency and could help establish whether wrongdoing occurred.

The consortium said both Zambian law and Catholic canon law require clergy to uphold legal and ethical standards, noting that canon law treats the misappropriation or improper handling of gifts as a serious offence.

Mwanza cited a recent case in which Archbishop Alick Banda suspended a Catholic priest following the death of a girl at a priest’s residence, a process that later resulted in the priest being cleared, as an example of respect for due process within the Church.

He emphasised that being summoned for questioning does not imply guilt, but is a lawful step in establishing facts, adding that the Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence and equal application of the law.

Mwanza said the only constitutionally recognised immunity from prosecution applies to the sitting President, and that clergy, like all citizens, are subject to investigation where questions arise.

He added that the Constitution obliges all persons to cooperate with lawful investigations by state institutions, including the DEC, while also protecting individuals from abuse of process.

The consortium urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as the matter unfolds, while encouraging the DEC to communicate more clearly within the limits of the law to prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary tension.

It also called on the ZCCB to complement state investigations with internal canonical processes provided for under Church law, noting that accountability mechanisms already exist within the Catholic Church for matters involving bishops.

Mwanza said the matter should not be interpreted as a sign of strained relations between the Church and the State, adding that lawful engagement between religious leaders and state institutions should strengthen public confidence in justice and accountability.

He said the moral authority of the Church is best preserved through patience, transparency and respect for due process, rather than public pressure or institutional mobilisation.

The consortium said that faith and the rule of law are complementary pillars of a just society, and that allowing investigations to proceed fairly and independently would reinforce public trust in both civic and religious institutions.

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Zambian opposition political parties have condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, describing it as a violation of international law and a threat to global peace.

Socialist Party (SP) president, Dr. Fred M’membe, strongly criticised the reported U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the capture and removal of that country’s President, Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. President, Donald Trump, said on Saturday that American forces had carried out a military operation in Venezuela and captured President Maduro, who has since been taken out of the country.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, M’membe described the operation as a flagrant violation of international law and an assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

He said the attacks, launched in the early hours of January 3, 2026, reportedly targeted military installations and civilian areas in and around Caracas, as well as the neighbouring states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

“The Socialist Party views the strikes as a direct breach of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter,” M’membe said.

He noted that the Charter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, describing the operation as an act of aggression and a war crime under international law.

M’membe further warned that the disappearance of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores following the attacks marked a dangerous escalation.

He accused the United States of waging war on Venezuela to gain control of its oil resources, arguing that Washington could not tolerate a government that prioritises the welfare of its people over the interests of multinational corporations.

Read More: U.S. to govern Venezuela temporarily, Trump claims after capture of President Maduro in military operation

M’membe said the Socialist Party stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and called on progressive governments and peace-loving citizens worldwide to condemn the attacks.

“They should also demand an immediate end to hostilities and support Venezuela’s right to self-determination. The era of unchecked imperialist aggression is coming to an end,” he said.

Meanwhile, Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) president, Jackson Silavwe, also condemned the operation, describing the capture of a sitting head of state who had not declared war on the United States as “extremely disturbing.”

Silavwe said although the United States possesses significant military power that has contributed to global peace, such power should not be used to dominate or intimidate other nations.

“I have admired President Trump’s leadership on many fronts, but today America’s actions in Venezuela feed into both individual and global insecurity,” Silavwe said.

He warned that the operation could destabilise Venezuela and the wider region, drawing parallels with instability witnessed in the Middle East following similar military interventions.

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The Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka has directed all priests within the metropolitan archdiocese to read a solidarity message issued by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) in support of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda during all Sunday Masses.

The directive follows the summoning of Archbishop Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), a development that has sparked mixed public reactions as the Catholic Church in Zambia rallies behind its leader.

In an urgent communiqué issued on Saturday, Lusaka Archdiocese Vicar General, Father Andrew Simpasa, instructed priests to read the ZCCB statement during announcements at all Masses on Sunday, January 4, 2026, which marks the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Read more: Banda: Catholic Archbishops berate Hichilema government, allege state-sponsored persecution of cleric

“This serves to inform the faithful, religious and all parish priests in the Archdiocese of Lusaka that the ZCCB statement of solidarity with Archbishop Banda and the Catholic faithful in Zambia must be read by the presiding priest at all Masses during announcements,” Fr. Simpasa said.

He also invited the faithful to attend a special Mass on Monday at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka at 08:00 hours.

“After which, in compliance with the laws of our Republic, His Grace will dutifully report to the Drug Enforcement Commission,” Fr. Simpasa said.

Archbishop Banda had reportedly been summoned to appear before the DEC for questioning in connection with a motor vehicle allegedly donated to him by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Meanwhile, DEC Director General Nason Banda has dismissed claims that the summoning of the Archbishop was politically or religiously motivated.

“The summoning of Archbishop Banda should not be viewed through political or religious lenses,” Banda said, adding that the Commission was carrying out its statutory mandate.

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The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has expressed solidarity with Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, describing his summoning by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) as an attempt to silence the Catholic Church’s prophetic voice on national governance.

In a statement issued on January 2, 2026, the bishops said they were aware that Archbishop Banda had been summoned to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the DEC on January 5, following a letter delivered to him on December 31, 2025.

The bishops accused the state of using public institutions to target the Archbishop because of his stance on governance and accountability.

“As ZCCB, we view this action as an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of ZCCB,” the statement reads.

Read more: Catholic Church alleges persecution, urges prayer, unity as anti-graft agency set to probe Archbishop Banda

They further alleged that Archbishop Banda had been subjected to sustained attacks and intimidation, which they described as politically motivated.

“Archbishop Banda has faced consistent name-calling and what we can now recognize as state-sponsored persecution. We consider it an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against an individual due to his stance on national governance and his efforts to hold the government accountable,” the bishops stated.

The ZCCB said the Catholic Church had historically played a critical role in promoting justice, faith, and service to Zambians, and warned against attempts to undermine its leadership and mission.

“Today, as attempts are made to silence her prophetic voice and undermine her pastoral mission, we affirm that the Church’s role in defending truth, justice, and human dignity cannot be diminished or suppressed,” the statement reads.

The bishops condemned what they termed intimidation and harassment against the Church and its leaders, warning that such actions threatened national unity.

“We therefore condemn all forms of intimidation, harassment, and persecution directed against the Catholic Church and her leaders. Such actions not only wound the ‘Body of Christ’, the Church, but also threaten the moral fabric and unity of our nation,” the statement said.

The bishops stressed that the Church must remain free to speak on national issues and guide the country morally.

“The Church’s voice must remain free to speak truth to powers that be, to comfort the afflicted, and to guide Zambia toward a future rooted in our motto: One Zambia One Nation!” the bishops said.

The ZCCB reaffirmed its full support for Archbishop Banda and called for dialogue rather than confrontation.

“We reaffirm that it is morally wrong to use state institutions to persecute those who hold dissent views and/or provide oversight on matters of governance. Dialogue and mutual respect should be the way to go,” the statement reads.

The bishops also urged Catholics and other citizens to remain calm and prayerful as the country approaches the general elections.

“We exhort the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to continue praying for calm, peace and unity in our nation, especially as we get closer to this year’s general elections,” they said.

The statement was signed by ZCCB President, Archbishop Ignatius Chama of Kasama.


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The United for Better Zambia (UBZ) Party has withdrawn from the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders, citing leadership failure, deepening internal wrangles, and a lack of discipline.

In a resignation letter addressed to Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders Chairperson, Given Lubinda, UBZ Party President Hector Soondo said the party could no longer remain in an alliance that had failed to provide clear direction and hope to Zambians amid persistent political and economic challenges.

Soondo said the Tonse Alliance had become consumed by internal conflicts and factionalism, leaving citizens disillusioned and uncertain about the opposition grouping’s capacity to offer credible leadership.

He further accused the alliance of failing to maintain discipline and accountability, alleging that certain individuals operating under the guise of non-governmental organizations had interfered in political decision-making, thereby undermining the authority of legitimate political party leaders.

According to Soondo, such interference has weakened democratic processes within the alliance and stalled political progress by allowing unelected actors to influence key decisions for personal or factional interests.

The UBZ Party President also criticized the council for prioritizing internal power struggles over urgent national issues such as poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship, which he said should be at the centre of any serious political movement.

Soondo further stated that the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders had failed to uphold transparency and inclusivity, with decision-making allegedly centralized and conducted without adequate consultation with all member parties, particularly smaller political formations.

“As a result, smaller parties have been marginalized and denied meaningful participation in shaping the alliance’s direction,” he said.

Despite withdrawing from the Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders with immediate effect, UBZ clarified that it would remain affiliated with the People’s Pact Movement, through which it initially joined the alliance.

Soondo said the decision to withdraw was guided by the party’s commitment to the interests of Zambians rather than continued association with an alliance he alleged had lost focus and credibility.

Similarly, All People’s Congress (APC) leader, Nason Msoni, said the Tonse Alliance no longer represented the idea of a potent movement that was envisaged to unseat the UPND.

Read More: New Congress Party withdraws from Tonse Alliance amid succession disputes

“PF wrangles have overshadowed the Tonse Alliance movement and rendered it into a stillborn political grouping,” Msoni noted.

He said the APC had previously participated in many other political alliances, but that the Tonse experience was not inspiring, emphasizing that a political alliance cannot be held to ransom by one political party.

“We therefore give notice to you our colleagues that the APC will soon be holding an emergency meeting to review its further participation in the Tonse alliance and decide on the way forward,” Msoni said.

He stated that there was no time for further procrastination in the new year, noting that political events were likely to precipitate very quickly and that the party did not have the luxury of sitting back and watching political wrangles unfold.

Msoni added that Zambians were looking for political leaders who were not driven by personal egos or an insatiable appetite for political power.

“We will not be mere political spectators in a game of leadership. Ideally by putting on-hold our own political ambitions is not a sign of weakness but patriotism,” he said.

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Development People’s Party (DPP) leader, Dr. Kafula Mubanga, has accused President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration of practising selective justice and weaponising state institutions against perceived critics.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Mubanga alleged that the government was applying double standards in its pursuit of justice while simultaneously engaging in political patronage.

He said Zambians also needed to understand what he described as the true cost of the administration’s efforts to buy the silence of traditional and religious leaders.

Mubanga claimed that while the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) was allegedly being used to intimidate the Catholic Church, the government was engaging in the same conduct it publicly condemned.

“The Development People’s Party stands today in unwavering solidarity with the Catholic Church and His Grace Archbishop Alick Banda,” Mubanga said.

He argued that while the former Patriotic Front (PF) government supported chiefs and the Church as partners in development, the UPND administration was using public resources for political optics.

According to Mubanga, government spending on vehicle distributions raised serious concerns.

“Your government has spent a staggering US$18.44 million on vehicle distributions,” he alleged, adding that over US$16.5 million was spent on 288 double-cab 4×4 vehicles for traditional chiefs, approximately US$1.8 million on utility and mission vehicles for selected church leaders, and more than US$140,000 on motorcycles for chief retainers.

Mubanga questioned whether the DEC was genuinely fighting corruption or being used as a political tool, describing the summoning of Archbishop Banda as a direct attack on freedom of the pulpit.

He said that while the Church served as a refuge under the PF administration, it was now under surveillance.

“We ask President Hakainde Hichilema: why is the DEC silent on the US$10 billion allegedly lost to tax avoidance in the mining sector? Why is it silent on the US$600 million lost through mineral royalty incentives?” Mubanga asked.

He argued that instead of pursuing wealth allegedly leaking out of the country, the government was targeting a religious leader who had refused to be silenced.

“The DPP stands with the Catholic Church. We stand with Archbishop Banda. We demand an immediate end to these targeted investigations,” Mubanga said.

He argued that a nation that persecuted its prophets while granting windfall tax incentives to foreign mining firms risked losing its moral and economic direction.

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UPND Media Director, Mark Simuuwe, has reaffirmed that relations between the Catholic Church and the government remained cordial, urging the public to distinguish between the actions of individual clergy and the Catholic Church as an institution.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Simuuwe said law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), had a constitutional and legal obligation to investigate matters brought before them.

He counseled that the ongoing investigations involving Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Alick Banda should be viewed as part of due process and allowed to proceed without political or religious interpretation.

Simuuwe quoted Archbishop Banda’s own words that “a wrong is a wrong no matter who is involved,” stressing that alleged personal omissions by individual clergy should not be used to implicate or discredit the Catholic Church.

Read More: Catholic Church alleges persecution, urges prayer, unity as anti-graft agency set to probe Archbishop Banda

“The cases taken to court by the State are supported by sufficient evidence, leading to prosecution and, where appropriate, conviction,” Simuuwe said.

He argued that no innocent person is serving a prison sentence without the courts having first determined the matter.

Simuuwe emphasized that the name of the Catholic Church should not be dragged into cases allegedly committed in an individual capacity, noting that it is the responsibility of the courts to determine whether government property can lawfully be given as a personal gift and whether any crime was committed.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has lived up to its mandate, particularly in the areas of forfeiture and asset recovery,” he said.

On governance, Simuuwe argued that the UPND government had remained faithful to its mandate of delivering economic transformation and was actively addressing challenges such as the energy crisis.

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President of the Local Catholic Clergy in Zambia, Rev. Fr. Augustine Mwewa, has called on Catholics to respond with prayer, unity and courage following the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

The DEC had written to Archbishop Banda, inviting him to appear before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit on January 5, 2026.

Reacting to the development, Fr. Mwewa urged Catholic clergy, religious and the lay faithful not to be intimidated by what he described as a controversial move.

“This persecution was there and it will continue. We expect more. It has been shown that the current Government has started a war against the Catholic Church, but we pray for Archbishop Banda, all the Bishops, priests and the lay faithful,” said Fr. Mwewa of Holy Family Parish in Lulamba, Chingola.

According to an official Radio Icengelo Facebook post dated January 1, 2026, Fr. Mwewa accused the government of intolerance towards divergent views, arguing that criticism was being met with intimidation.

Read more: Opposition figures rally behind Archbishop Banda, knock Drug Enforcement Commission over planned probe

“The Government doesn’t want divergent views because it has not performed as promised. Out of ten, I can give them one or two, but they are claiming that they have performed,” he said.

He cited unfulfilled campaign promises, including the cost of mealie meal, fertiliser prices, fuel costs and power supply, as well as delayed payments to farmers.

“They promised us mealie meal at K50, cheap fertiliser, fuel, no load shedding. Where is FRA to pay farmers? Go to cooperatives and you will find that half of these farmers have not been paid,” Fr. Mwewa said.

The Catholic cleric warned that pressure on the Church was likely to intensify, urging believers to remain spiritually grounded and united.

“The worst is coming. These guys are coming after the Church and they are trying to isolate Bishops, priests and certain leaders,” he said.

He encouraged Catholics to actively participate in national affairs while remaining peaceful and prayerful.

“As Catholics, we need prayers for this country. We need to be on our knees for the nation. As Catholics, we are free to speak out. We also need to take care of our voters’ cards. We can only fight these people with prayer and unity,” Fr. Mwewa said.

He further cautioned that laws, including cyber legislation, could be used to silence dissenting voices but urged believers not to retreat.

“They may use cyber law against you, but speak out against all evils,” he added.

Fr. Mwewa also called on Church leaders across denominations to remain faithful to their prophetic mission and resist political compromise.

“I invite all Church leaders, not only Catholics, do not be bribed. Do not sell your prophetic voice. We have seen some of our pastors and former pastors eating at the feet of the Government while denouncing the Church and praising wrong things,” he said.

He accused the government of employing tactics aimed at silencing critics.

“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 it will be using different mingalato (tactics). This is the mingalato we are seeing,” Fr. Mwewa said.

“They want to suppress any voice that denounces the wrongs or evils they have done and the promises they have failed to fulfil,” he added.

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Socialist Party President, Dr. Fred M’membe, has accused the UPND government of exploiting farmers through what he described as cruelty disguised as economic fiscal discipline.

M’membe said it was both tragic and morally indefensible for the government to publicly boast about holding US$5 billion in foreign reserves while thousands of Zambian farmers remain unpaid for maize supplied to the state.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, M’membe questioned the moral justification of celebrating foreign reserves when farmers were unable to pay for farming inputs, service loans, or adequately prepare for the next farming season.

“This is not economic prudence. It is cruelty disguised as fiscal discipline.
A government that takes maize from farmers, sells part of it, benefits from the proceeds, and then withholds payment is not managing an economy. It is exploiting its own citizens. Who does that to the very people who feed the nation,” he said.

M’membe argued that the money sitting in the reserves did not belong to President Hakainde Hichilema or the UPND government, but to Zambian farmers.

He said the reserves represented the sweat of rural households and the dignity of men and women who trusted the state in good faith.

“Any reserve built on unpaid obligations is not a reserve. It is stolen time, stolen labour, and stolen hope.
The consequences of this insensitivity will not be abstract. They will be real and devastating,” M’membe said.

He warned that farmers who were not paid today would not plant tomorrow, noting that reduced planting would result in food shortages next year and beyond.

“It means higher mealie meal prices. It means hunger. It means instability. No amount of praise from Western embassies or international financial institutions will fill empty granaries,” he said.

The aspiring presidential candidate said President Hichilema appeared more eager to impress Western governments than to protect the livelihoods of Zambians.

He argued that an obsession with external approval had produced a dangerous policy mindset where pleasing creditors and donors took precedence over paying farmers and safeguarding food security.

M’membe said the Zambian government existed to serve its people, not to validate foreign economic theories.

“A government that claims to be pro-poor cannot build its macroeconomic narrative on the suffering of small-scale farmers,” he said.

He added that President Hichilema should not preach fiscal discipline to farmers who delivered maize, waited months without payment, and watched interest on their loans accumulate.

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Leader of Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP), Kelvin Fube, has decried what he described as a disturbing pattern of injustice, selective application of the law, and a shrinking democratic space under President Hakainde Hichilema’s UPND government over the past four years.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Fube cited investigations and restrictions involving the family of former President Edgar Lungu, saying these had raised serious concerns of political vendetta rather than impartial justice.

He said that in a constitutional democracy, family members are not political combatants and that justice should never resemble punishment by association.

“Democracy is not measured by elections alone — it is measured by how power is exercised between elections. Zambia Must Prosper speaks not from anger, but from facts, principle, and concern for the Republic,” Fube said.

He alleged that across the country, opposition leaders and political figures had faced frequent arrests, prolonged detention, and selective prosecution.

Fube warned that when the law appeared to pursue political identity more aggressively than criminal conduct, public confidence in the justice system collapsed.

“Cyber and communication laws have increasingly been used to arrest, intimidate, and imprison citizens — bloggers, activists, journalists, and ordinary Zambians — for expressing opinions critical of those in power,” he said.

Fube further stated that the continued detention and prosecution of political actors under laws that had been repealed, declared obsolete, or widely criticised constituted a grave violation of legal certainty, a core principle of the rule of law.

He emphasised that no citizen should be imprisoned under a law that no longer existed.

“A democracy that fears criticism has already begun to fail. Scripture warns: ‘Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees.’ (Isaiah 10:1),” Fube said.

He added that when police, prosecutors, and regulatory bodies were perceived as extensions of political power, democracy inevitably suffered.

Fube stressed that institutions of governance must serve the Constitution, not the ruling party.

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