Stop persecuting Archbishop Banda - Musoma

By BARNABAS ZULU THE UPND government has been politically persecuting Archbishop Dr Alick Banda parading him before the law enforcement agencies and arraigning him before the courts because of his courageous stance in speaking truth to power, Wright Musona has said. Mr Musoma, the leader of the Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) says the arrest and arraignment of Archbishop Dr Banda is only embarrassing the government rather than the Catholic Church. “The shameful arrest and dragging of His Grace Archbishop Alick Banda to the courts of law over a Toyota Hilux motor vehicle gift is not embarrassing him…it is embarrassing President Hakainde Hichilema, his government and the nation at large,” Mr Musoma said. He said his party was of a strong belief that Archbishop Banda could not have stolen the vehicle at the centre of the allegations, arguing that vehicles were sometimes given to prominent religious and traditional leaders as gifts. “Archbishops do not steal cars - they are honoured with them. Gifting of vehicles to credible and eminent persons like His Grace the Archbishop, their royal highnesses the chiefs, and former ministers among others, did not start in PF time. It is a common and honourable practice across Africa,” Mr Musoma said. Mr Musoma said the practice of gifting vehicles to eminent people was not unique to Zambia or the previous Patriotic Front administration. He urged government officials to advise President Hakainde Hichilema appropriately, saying the Catholic Church should not be treated as a political opponent. “Archbishop Dr Banda and the Catholic Church you are insulting and persecuting today, you will need them very soon. Power is transient,” Mr Musoma said. He also recalled the Catholic Church’s role during President Hichilema’s detention under the previous administration. “Was it not the same Catholic Church and the same Archbishop Alick Banda who worked tirelessly, pleading with the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to unconditionally release President Hakainde Hichilema from detention when he attempted to shove the presidential motorcade off the Lumulunga Road in Mongu?” he asked. Mr Musoma said ZRP viewed the case against Archbishop Banda as political persecution linked to the Church’s criticism of those in power. He called on the government to stop what he described as the weaponisation of law enforcement agencies against the Church and other critical voices. Mr Musoma also demanded an unconditional apology to Archbishop Banda and the Catholic faithful, while urging Government to concentrate on economic and social challenges facing citizens.a

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