The Church mother bodies in Zambia have said that they find it hard to tolerate abominable and immoral acts being committed right before our very eyes in Zambia. In a press statement distributed to the media, the church said urged all Zambians to examine their conscience, seek the truth and work towards bringing back hope to people.
Below is the Full media statement
Joint Press Statement issued by the Three Christian Church Umbrella Organizations
The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC)
“I have seen the Miserable State of my People … I have heard their Cry” (Ex 3:7)
We the three Christian Church Mother Bodies namely: the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) are repeatedly saddened at the rampant political violence that keeps on popping its ugly face especially in the recent by-elections. As people who have a God given mandate of exercising the prophetic mission in our nation and in our time, we cannot tolerate such abominable and immoral acts being committed right before our very eyes. Our nation today, stands at the crossroads and we are in a crisis. We face many challenges related with governance and survival, among which, are increasing levels of poverty among the majority of our people, a pervading cancer of rampant corruption, escalating youth unemployment, the growing gap between the rich and the poor, an education system that is falling apart, a poor health service delivery coupled with the unclear constitution making process, the gagging or muzzling of people’s freedoms, the arrests of the opposition party leaders and human rights violations. As Zambians, we all need to examine our conscience, seek the truth and work towards bringing back hope to our people.
In our joint statement issued on 27th February 2013, we appealed for calm in the aftermath of the violence and the unfortunate death of Mr. Harrison Chanda in the run up to the by-elections in Livingstone which were prudently postponed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). We also proposed that instead of playing the usual political game of finger pointing and name calling, time had come for all Zambians to seriously engage in a process of soul-searching and discernment. Our politics have sunk so low as we recently experienced loss of life during political campaigns. This development is unacceptable and must not be tolerated. Indeed, is this the level our politics has come to – of killing one another just for greed and want of political office? We do not want our democracy to go that route where instead of preserving life and protecting the citizens, our people risk death during times of heightened political activities.
We must create a new democratic dispensation. Our democracy came at high cost and we should all endeavor to protect it and help sustain this philosophy of governance.
We should all seek to come together to safeguard and promote the culture of peaceful, genuine and democratic elections in this great nation which for many years now has been the pride and envy of this region and the continent of Africa.
A. By-elections
We are seeing a strange phenomenon that raises great concern, with the rate at which by-elections in our country are being held. Whilst we acknowledge the fact that the Zambian laws provide for the holding of by-elections to fill a vacant seat in Parliament, or at local government levels, we are seriously questioning the justification and authenticity of many of these parliamentary by-elections. Even though these elections are being held within the provisions and confines of the law, we are also increasingly seeing more and more by-elections being instigated or motivated by greed, individual interests and a selfish propensity for political dominance by the ruling party and the desire for ministerial positions by the MPs that are lured into resignations from their political parties, or that in case such MPs were expelled, they would still be adopted to recontest their seats on another ticket. Also we question the integrity of these by-elections. Who is really behind the current spell of elections? What value are these by-elections adding to our political environment? Why are our leaders so ready to waste such colossal sums of money in the campaigns whilst our hospitals still face a critical shortage of medical staff, equipment and essential drugs? We question the integrity of those who are crossing the floor in parliament for the sake of receiving political favors or appointments. We therefore call upon our leaders to prudently exercise the power that the Zambian people have entrusted in them. Many of our hospitals, schools and other service centres cannot offer quality services due to inadequate funding. This is because they are subordinated to wrong priorities as everyone seems to be pre-occupied with by-elections.
At the same time, while we acknowledge the fact that the Republican President has the constitutional power to appoint any Member of Parliament as Cabinet or Deputy Ministers, we urge the government to dialogue with the leaders of Political Parties before such appointments are made. In other words, care must be taken to avoid creating an impression of political poaching which often leads to expulsions of those who accept the appointments because their parties do not approve of them. We question as to how many deputy ministers the government can appoint. The increasing number of appointments of cabinet deputy ministers eventually leads to a bloated cabinet which is what the people of this country have always rejected in preference for a lean Cabinet as promised by the PF government.
We pray that the new constitution, which is being drafted, will provide for mechanisms that will prevent unnecessary by-elections. In fact, we believe that the efficacy and legitimacy of the current PF government will be tested on how quickly they can deliver a new Republican Constitution which will cure all the lacunas which seem to be exploited by those whose only interest is either to gain or cement their continued stay in office. We are deeply concerned about the new constitution making process because of a number of issues that have not been addressed such as the timeframe, and the mode of adoption of the final constitution.
B. Our Message of Strong Appeal
1. To the Government:
We ask the government to avoid giving threats and using decrees in leading the nation. The government should use the instruments of power to serve and protect the citizenry of this country and promote peace and meaningful dialogue. We urge the government to quickly engage their colleagues in the opposition when dealing with critical national issues. True democrats win support by means of political persuasion rather than crushing those with opposing views. As servants of the people who voted you into power, you should always put first the interest of the majority Zambians who are poor, unemployed and do not have access to basic social services and other basic needs.
2. To all the Political Parties:
We call upon all political parties to also engage in a process of soul-searching. As your pastors and shepherds, we are deeply disturbed when we hear of the continued in-fighting and see attempts by some prominent members of your parties to wash the dirty linen in public. What is even more worrying is the continued culture of using both hate and tribal speech. Not only that, we do wonder where drunken, violent and unrepentant cadres come from. Who actually buys alcohol for them and transport them to places where by-elections are taking place? Are these not the same things we condemned in the previous regime? Aren’t Zambians justified in questioning whether they made the right choice? We therefore appeal to you the leaders across the political spectrum to demonstrate maturity, dignity and magnanimity in the way you exercise your leadership and in the manner you relate to each other. Your focus should be to promote the common good and especially uplifting the lives of the poor and neglected in our beloved country.
Our democracy will suffer greatly if the opposition is weakened. This will neither benefit government nor the citizens. We have been through a one party system of governance before. It is the last thing we would wish for this nation.
3. To the Zambia Police Service:
As we (the three Church Mother Bodies) argued in the run up to the 2011 Tripartite Elections, we once more say that, “The burden of ensuring that law and order is observed in the country lies on all of us the people of Zambia. The police however carry a special mandate to enforce law and order where our society fails to voluntarily observe it. Given the diverse interests we have in our country especially during elections, the Police Service has to stand firm but always impartial. There have been many accusations against the police service pointing to the fact that it sometimes fails to be impartial when policing political activities and that the police service has tended to favor the ruling party. We call upon the police command to work at rebranding the negative image it continues to project in the eyes of the general public”.
We therefore wish to see a more professional police command that should come up with a publicized clear program of action on how they intend to police political activities during campaigns and other political activities in this nation. Police should ensure that they are not manipulated by anybody aimed at advancing expediency or impunity out of selfish motives.
4. To the Media:
We have always valued the pivotal role played by the media in our democratization process. As God says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge …” (Hosea 4:6). We have therefore consistently called upon the media to foster their mandate of informing and educating the public with courage and resilience but also with fairness to everyone. The divide that has been created in Zambia where the public media is exclusively dedicated to the propaganda of government and the ruling party while a few private media on the other hand give more attention to the opposition is not healthy. We strongly believe that the media should be governed by common standards of projecting the truth. Indeed, who is going to stop the cycle of character assassination that we often see or hear about in our print and electronic media?
The church does not want to see a repeat of the acts of demonizing leaders as President Sata was demonized while in the opposition. The church’s expectation is that this should not perpetuate itself as it is an evil which should go away and the media should ensure that they rise to the occasion in stopping this objectionable tendency. We believe that the media should help in preventing the dissemination of insults and hating information and toning down the sensationalizing information involving different persons.
5. To the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):
As we have maintained in the past, CSOs play an important role in educating, organizing and mobilizing the public on many critical national issues. We call upon them to redouble their efforts in facilitating citizens to make meaningful participation in our electoral process and in promoting good governance. They should promote voter literacy, sensitize people against apathy and challenge all actors in the electoral process to behave in an objective manner that offers respect for the rights of other people in the process.
6. To our Fellow Clergy Men and Women:
We hereby exhort you to continue performing the God-given mandate of providing a prophetic voice in our society. Do not abuse the pulpit for partisan politics and do not ever fall prey to political enticements and corruption. Do not be afraid to preach the truth in love and we urge you to continue to call the powers that be to do greater justice to your flock and those outside of your assemblies, parishes and congregations. Never tire at proclaiming the message of truth, justice, peace, love, unity, forgiveness and reconciliation. As St. Paul exhorts us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).
7. To all Zambians:
If you really love your country, do not sit by the fence and simply watch as things are going wrong. In addition do not be counted with those who cause violence or promote wrong doing. “As the saying goes, “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for a few good people to do nothing”. We appeal to all Zambians to stay away from corruption and the prevailing culture of lying, hero worshipping, rumor mongering, violence and hate or tribal speech. Rather, we call you to embrace and promote the culture of national unity, honesty, moral integrity, transparency, accountability, peace, hard work, love and forgiveness. Let us all resolve to make our country better and more democratic. Let us not allow anyone to divide us, draw us backward or blind us from the truth. Rather, let us all remain vigilant and safeguard our hard won liberties including the responsible use of freedoms of speech, movement and association. Zambia is bigger than any one person and certainly bigger than any one political party.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we demand that efforts be made to have an all inclusive national Indaba which should address the many challenges we are facing as a young and growing democracy. We firmly believe that this nation can overcome all our current political differences through genuine dialogue and guidance.
May God bless this great nation.
Issued on 15th March, 2013
Signed
____________________ ______________________ _______________________
Rev. Suzanne Matale Rev. Pukuta N. Mwanza Fr. Cleopas Lungu
General Secretary Executive Director Secretary General
Council of Churches in Zambia Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia Zambia Episcopal Conference
(CCZ) (EFZ) (ZEC)
all beacause of one(1) sata.
Yes analysis Corner, it all because of one satanic lumpen at state house in the name of UKWA CNP. Like I mentioned some time back, this creature is a proven satanist both mathematically and scientifically. It would have helped for the church mother bodies to call upon christians to pray and fast so that the satanist drops dead at state house and then we can have fresh elections. This way we would be sure that the problem is sorted out once and for all.
we are all to blame!!!!
Sata may be at the centre, but HH, Nevers and friends are not doing any better! they are falling into the trap and behaving much worse! exhibiting a lot of stubborn selfishness!
Are you telling me that all of us zambians have failed to find a better way???
You gotta give Sata credit for his crafty schemes, i mean he did what he had to.lol, we all remember how desperate the people of Zambia wanted him. They even called him “Man of action” MMD was much better though it had its flaws as well. Until Sata is out, some of us would rather not come home.
I have been very sad about the political status in Zambia until when I remembered a phrase that was popular a long time ago that we rarely hear today that “politics is a dirty game”. I now understand and believe so. It is just a game that is dirty as well. But what does that mean practically?
A group of people come together to map out a scheme to take over power through the ballot box or otherwise by saying what people want to hear. They can say anything; use any method as long as it wins them the people’s hearts. It can be ways that destroy other’s careers or even life/ death.
Once they are voted in they now look for ways to consolidate their power by using some tricks like intimidation, lies, violence, corruption, tribal tugs etc. The goal is to keep on holding onto power while they…
I dont understand why people resort to be Christians when times are hard
beggers belief
Grow up people and work God only helps those who help themselves like me
Thanks
I doubt your upbringing, u must be a spoiled child. Most of your comments have a taste of someone who originates from the devil.
How is it not clear to you that with political instability now taking root in Zambia, it is not condisive for economic improvement spurred by hard work? I think you are a stupid so called phd student.
Let me tell u, no matter how hard u work, you will never reach the levels of many Zambians who are humble like HH. U will continue being a second class person in the UK.
It is not true to say God helps those who help themselves. If this were the case then all glory would go to the creature. Whoever we are or whatever we have is all because of God’s grace to us. God helps the weak who have come to an end of themselves and can not help but cry to Him saying “Master save me”
Mushota you have no manners not even bad ones!!Ulichisoso,do you think people only pray when they are poor?Your brains are rotten and your thinking is wraped!I tend to think you are a case of rugs to rugs.Going to the UK does not make you a better person.You have actually enslaved yourself in serious self imposed inferiority complex!!You are useless,abasambilila ifyachine tabayumfwa!!
Mushota, that’s a good one.
Mushota, was it you I saw selling tomato and impwa at a market in Kanyama?
The goal is to keep on holding onto power while they get what they wanted to get with the power they have. Getting hold of power has very little to do with desiring to develop the nation to uplift the poor masses. The little development that comes our way is a by-product of their grand scheme and is given just as a way to convince us to still allow them to hold on to power. But it is not their main purpose.
It seems to me that every power base globally is premised on this same philosophy and in their circles when they meet, they even talk their language and laugh at each other’s’ schemes. Why do you think the ANC government can today endorse the ZANU PF in the coming election? Why do you think Africa can never unite to benefit manifold from the integration? Considering the tribal tug…
I have lost faith in these so called church mother bodies.They are just another bunch of compromised souls.
You should always remember that Sata won the Presidential elections with a backing of the church, and the same church that backed him and his political party can do the opposite. Sata said he was going to govern Zambia under the God’s ten commandments…is he really doing that?
Considering the tribal tug placed on HH, UPND and Southern Province generally will show that while southerners vote for their own most of the times, the northerners have always voted for their own. They have never voted for a candidate from another tribe. And yet they label Tongas tribal. Although Michale Sata is a real tribalist I believe (looking at the the fact that all key positions in the nation are now occupied by his family members, tribesmate or people from another tribe who are married to his tribesmate or have some connection with him somehow, the majority of bembas are not tribal. Actually bembas like marrying Tonga women just like Tonga men like marrying Bemba women. The tribal tug is only a political tool they use to keep on ruling over Tongas who have from time to time…
The tribal tug is only a political tool they use to keep on ruling over Tongas who have from time to time produced capable leaders. Think about the Nkumbulas (Sr and Jr), Anderson Mazoka and now HH who have provided serious and genuine competition to their own rulers since time memorial. But unfortunately the tribal tug can lead to civil strife if not checked. Actually the PF has realised that of late and are not talking about the tug anymore but have now devised a scheme of saying the UPND is a violent party through the Mapatizya formula.
Same difference! Lol. If they were serious,not hey would be talking ideas and development – nevermind labelling opponents! Labels stink: is every tonga a TRIBALIST and every Bemba a THIEF? Nonsense!
Zambians are going nowhere with this PF thuggery
were has these fools been when cycle mata was raping our constitution daylight? the so called Episcopal conference of Zambia pushed sata to state house and today they want to seat on high table pretending they care…………..this country will be torn apart very soon and all the blood will be on the Catholics & bembas
you are a free mason.
Generally the message is good and Sata would do well to listen before he goes to the grave which I genuinely pray should be soon.
However, these same people supported PF as soul mates with the then holy post newspaper. They called a spade a spade and some times a spoon was not even a spade but a grader to them. Why are they timid now? They were fighting RB everyday but not so with their product Sata who has messed up from day 1.
Catholics in particular were Sata main tool but they are quiet. At leat they should as so called people of God admit that their imposition on Zambia is wrong.
This PF government, police, judiciary, parliament etc is disgusting not the stupid skimming around with words like ugly head etc.
My message to them is that they should fully condemn Sata not…
you foo.oool of a foo.oool. you’ll go to the grave before HE MS. are you God to tell
@MilesGBMSatan, I quote the very important thing you have mentioned today: “Generally the message is good and Sata would do well to listen before he goes to the grave which I genuinely pray should be soon.”
Let me assure you that you are not alone. We are many who have resorted to praying and fasting to God that He should rescue His people from this devil in state house. My prayer is that he should have dropped dead like yesterday. I even blame late Levy Mwanawasa who helped this devil by rushing him RSA, he should have just let him to kick the bucket and Zambia would not be in this mess.
They should be condemning Sata and PF – instead of this weak statement they have issued. Too little too late!
Mushota.I like your blogs.But on this one you are wrong God helps those who cant help themselves.
There is no need to write such. Go to State House and ask its tenant to hold a press conference where questions will be asked. Call for a meeting where you can meet all political players and the State House tenant. Go there and ask if its alright for him to humiliate a Zambian who has a bald head. If this was done by a white man, he would have been labelled all sorts of names. Would I call everybody in this country with a bald head to walk to State House and protest against the inhumane treatment of that gentleman.
Let Sata and his Bembas eat. It is their time to eat!
Human beings are sinners at the core if the church could help teach the word as Jesus said in John 15 : 3. That you are now clean because of the word the behaviour of people in communities is ditermined by the way church is faring if the church is cold evil comes in you can’t change man by just complainig as church teach holiness
You are the worst indoshi yaba on this blog. Even the quotation from the bible are not worthy coming from. Next to Satan is Sata and close to him is you.
the mother bodies should be a bit balanced in the way they cricise; they should also point out some good things done so far, not only negative
The problem is not about the good things done so far if there are any anyway, the problem are the bad things that are going on. How do you want to address the good things if there are any? You only address and solve the bad ones because those are the problems. It appears common sense though common is not commom amongst PF cadres.
I mean if the mother bodies want to influence things for the better balance is important. Others will listen to them instead of the way they are pointing out things – judge mental kind of. Let them arrange for a meeting, and they should mediate, not to play as judges
This advice is timely, though the church should have been more specific. They should outline problems associated with PF, problems associated with UPND, problems associated with MMD. I feel direct advise will help as opposed to talking in general terms. The problem here is PF, who also happen to the ruling party, wielding a lot of power.
I agree with you 100% my friend.
What about the church FATHER BODIES what have they said
that upnd and its hungry hyena are the cause of all these problems because they are in a hurry to rule zambia and cant wait for the 2016 elections.
they have even started using nevers mumba of mmd in their quest for power cos he is not a member of the mother body but of an uncle body that is sponsored by an auntie body which has sister and brother bodies as members. lol!
GENERALLY THE MESSAGE BY THE CHURCH MOTHER BODIES IS FINE AND WELL-BALANCED. BUT UNFORTUNATELY EACH PERSON WHO READS IT WANTS TO SEE WHAT HE BELIEVES IN WITH SOME ALREADY INSULTING SATA. THE CHURCH MOTHER BODIES SHOULD ALSO BE SEEN TO SHOW GOOD LEADERSHIP. MOST OF THE ISSUES MENTIONED ARE JUST SYMPTOMS. THE MANY BY ELECTIONS ARE SPRINGING FROM THE FACT THAT THE OPPOSITION HAS CENTRED ITS APPROACH ON UPROOTING THE PF FROM POWER. NOT ON MAKING SURE THAT THIS COUNTRY DEVELOPS. THE NATURAL RESPONSE FOR PF IS TO CEMENT ITS HOLD ON POWER. IN ZAMBIA WE HAVE MORE THAN 11 POLITICAL PARTIES. THIS IS NOT ONE PARTY STATE. IF THESE PARTIES ARE NOT STRONG, IT IS NOT SATAS DUTY TO SHEPHERD THEM. HE HAS HIS OWN PARTY TO LOOK AFTER. EACH PARTY SHOULD BE PRINCIPLED AND KEEP ITS OWN MEMEBERS INTACT.
I can’t agree with u the so called mother body.4 instance ,if Zambia has a childish and weak opposition is it pf’s fault?l don’t read and listen to insults,tribal and sensetional news on the public media but on private ones like the zwd.B truthful!
@OSMORE . BE HONEST MY BROTHER. IF YOU LOVE THE ZWD THEN YOU LOVE INSULTS. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT.
I AM INDEPENDENT .U CHURCH ‘MOTHER BODY’ ARE NOT BEING BALANCED. UPND HAS BEEN THE AGRESOR IN MOST OF THE VIOLENT OCCURSIONS.EVEN WEN U GO TO THE ONLINE, THIS IS THE CASE.ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER IS OKEY WITH U AND U BLAM PF 4 THAT? HYPOCRITES!
AS A CHRISTIAN I HAVE REGARD FOR CHURCH LEADERS. BUT THEY ARE HUMAN AND CAN MAKE ERRORS. FOR INSTANCE INSTEAD OF ISSUING VERY GENERAL LETTERS IN THE PRESS WHY CANT THE CMBs APPROACH THE POLITICAL LEADERS PRIVATELY AND TALK TO THEM AS INDIVIDUALS ON AREAS WHERE THEY GO WRONG AND ENCOURAGE THEM WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT. GIVE COUNSEL, ADMONITION AND GUIDANCE. IF A CHILD IS WRONG TAKE THAT CHILD ASIDE AND ADMONISH THAT CHILD. NOT WASHING EVERY DIRTY LINEN IN THE PRESS. SOME PEOPLE EVEN BECOME STUBBORN IF YOU HAVE TO START REBUKING THEM IN PUBLIC. POLITICALLY PEOPLE ARE EVEN BEGINING TO TAKE SIDES DEPENDING ON HOW YOU CMBs HANDLE ISSUES. HAVE YOU EVER APPROACHED SATA TO TALK TO HIM AT A PERSONAL LEVEL? HAVE YOU EVER APPROACHED HH OR MUMBA TO PROVIDE COUNSEL AND ADMONITION??
You are right, the representatives of the mother bodies are very emotional and personal. I don’t think they are speaking for their churches
The three Mother what….?
In short ,it is full of hypocricy and u need highly annoited servants of God to deliver u. from deep down yo hearts are u sure the govt would have refused 2 have dialogue with the oppo if that was initiated ?HH nd Mumba couldn’t agree u know dis.
@Chisenga,l agree with u. l am saddened to see very unBiblical way of handling very important issues.lndeed has the church sort for audience with de govt or de oppo even b 4 going 2 de press.No wonder dere are rangles in churches 2day. SAD !
WE ARE AWARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CHAMPIONING THESE STATEMENTS AND WE KNOW VERY WELL WHO THEY POLITICALLY SUPPORTED IN THE PREVIOUS REGIME. STOP USING THE PHRASE THREE MOTHER BODIES BECAUSE HONESTLY SPEAKING IT DOES NO REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY CHRISTIANS.
THERE ARE ABOUT 5 TO 6 INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SO HURT AT THE FACT THAT PF WON THE GENERAL ELECTIONS AND ARE NOW RULING. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOOK FAR YOU KNOW THEM. UNFORTUNATELY THIS GROUP HAS DECIDED TO USE THE CHURCH PLATFORM TO CHAMPION THEIR AGENDA.
ONE WOULD ASK, WHERE WERE THEY IN THE PREVIOUS REGIME. SO MANY THINGS WERE GOING WRONG AND THEY CHOSE TO KEEP QUIET. SUDDENLY THEY HAVE LEARNT HOW TO SPEAK. SOME OF THEM YOU CAN EVEN SEE THEIR ANGER THROUGH THEIR SUNDAY SERMONS. COME THIS SUNDAY THEY’LL BE AT IT, IT’S A…
you are just the same as a snail church mother bodies..you only surface after a problem…you are not helping us in any ways..just shut up!!
Great statement now accompany it with practical solutions.
Ensure that the practical solutions are implemented.
Their financia is in hot soup. Kabimba is just reading in parliament the evidence of his evil activities while in power. Hypocrites,hypocrites! Go to 1 cor 13 and u will know as christians u must live.
This article is over- reaching in many areas and this shows the lack of understanding by the church on what role it is supposed to play in our society and leave politics to politicians. The church cannot be telling the media or the police how to do their job. An opposition leader is not above the law, if he breaks the law he should be arrested like any Zambian citizen. As a country, we have laws and they should be followed by everyone and breaking the law should not be confused with human rights. A Democracy without by-elections is a pipe dream, we should be talking about reducing the cost of carrying out an election not abolishing them. They are talking politics while condemning their friends in other churches, what a bunch of hypocrites, they are the ones who endorsed RB in the elections