By Rev Kapya John Kaoma
On January 17, 2014, the Zambian government allowed an Australian company, Zambezi Resources to open a massive open-pit mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was to declare a World Heritage Site. Although all traditional chiefs of the lower Zambezi, the Zambia Wildlife Authority, and the Zambia Environmental Advisory Agency opposed the move, Mr. Harry Kalaba, the Minister of Lands acting upon President Sata’s permission allowed the project to proceed—which will cause an ecological disaster—worse than the one experienced during the construction of the Kariba Dam in 1958. Unlike the Kariba, however, mining will displace millions of animals, pollute the waters and poison hundreds of thousands of nonhuman species. Who knows what President Sata and his cronies are set to get out of this venture? Well, Bemba say, “uubomba mwibala, alya mwibala” (the one who works in the field, eats from the field)—the only problem is, it is corruption in a Christian nation.
Corruption
Corruption is the abuse or misuse of public office, public resources, or some public obligation or duty for purposes of private (personal or group) gain. The negative effects of corruption on Zambia is frightening. “An insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies,” is what the then UN Secretary General Kofi A. Annan called corruption in his foreword to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). While this insidious plague is found across the globe, in Zambia, it undermines good governance and economic development.
Seriously, am I the only one who questions the relevance of the mantra of “Christian nation” in Zambia; am I the only one who thinks the mantra is used to blind us from exposing coruption? Well, every Zambian president claims to be a committed Christian, and so does his cabinet. In fact, every president has vowed to defend the Christian nation clause while presiding over a corrupt administration—which is an oxymoron.
[pullquote]In Zambia corruption is the only way to get what is legally yours[/pullquote]
Corruption erodes trust among the electorate and undermines the Government’s “ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice and discouraging foreign aid and investment.” In 2002, the African Union (AU) report revealed that the corruption cost Africa over $150 billion annually. The AU advocated the establishment of Anti-Corruption Commissions on the continent—leading to the establishment of the “African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption,” adopted in Maputo, on July 11, 2003. Article 19 of the Convention criminalizes “secret commissions and other forms of corrupt practices during international trade transactions,” but these practices are prevalent in our nation.
The ACC
We have the Anti-corruption Commission, but as S. O. Osoba contends, in Nigeria as elsewhere, these structures are “controlled and operated by, and in the interest of, members of the ruling class who have a vested and entrenched interest in sustaining and even extending corrupt practices.” The failure to prosecute Wynter Kawimba (until now) and GBM (until after he resigned from the Patriotic Front) despite being cited for corruption in the past confirms Osoba’s point. Is it that our anti-corruption commission is itself corrupt or toothless?
We are all victims and perpetrators of corruption. We are a corrupt Christian nation with corrupt citizens. Amidst extreme economic inequalities, lack of employment and social services, even poor people depend “on petty corruption and bureaucratic extortion in their efforts to secure basic services.” Who does not know that corruption is the norm in today’s Zambia; who does not know that corruption is the only way to enroll at government colleges or joining the civil service? Be it at the passport office, police station, and at courts, corruption is the only way to get what is legally yours.
In today’s Zambia, education and interviews do not matter anymore—corruption is the only way to get employed, join the army, and even become a security officer. Surely, we are a Christian nation of corrupt Christians!
The fight against corruption is a signiture phrase in Zambian political discourse. While the charges brought against the Chiluba and Rupiya Banda administrations suggest the rampart levels of corruption, Blaine Harden’s description of an African leader in the early 1990s still rings true today:
“His photograph hangs in every office in his realm. His ministers wear…tiny photographs of Him on the lapels of their tailored pin-striped suits.–His every pronouncement is reported on the front page.–He scapegoats minorities to shore up support. He rigs elections. He emasculates the courts. He cows the Press. He stifles academia. He goes to church.….He awards competitive, overprized contracts to foreign companies which grant…his family and his associates large kickbacks….He affects a commitment to free-market economic reforms to secure multi-million dollar loans and grants from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund…His rule has one overriding goal: to perpetuate his reign as Big man.”
Our constitutional identification as a Christian nation is contradicted by corruption. Harden’s point about politicians’ commitment to economic reforms to secure multi-million dollar loans deserves highlighting. There is no doubt that Zambian politicians are committed to free-market reforms to achieve their own financial security—the PF government seems to be doing exact that.
I am not saying that politicians are the only ones involved in corruption—the majority of church leaders are equally corrupt. As religious leaders, we often condemn corruption in government without stopping to critique fraud in our own institutions. Based on my experiences and interaction with African Churches, misappropriation of funds (mostly donated by international churches to address the plight of the poor) is common. No sooner does this money arrive than it is spent on building mansions for bishops and senior pastors. In Zambia, the plight of the masses remains a diamond mine for both religious and political leaders. While some politicians have been arrested and put in jail on corruption charges, prominent religious leaders have yet to taste justice for misusing Church resources. But, corruption and Christianity are not bedfellows unless you live in a Christian nation of thieves—Zambia.
Hmm libel from a clergyman, will you then hide behind God?
What this Rev is saying is the truth.How can we say we are a christian nation and yet the very fibre of our nation is sustained by corruption.It’s true to get what is legally your you have to corrupt someone.Our President flaunts his corrupt ways publically and unashamedly,that goes for cabinet ministers,church leaders,businessmen and the ordinary Zambian on the street.We need new systems in place and Mr.Sata sir that is why we need a new constitution.The old constitution promotes corruption and is hastening the rot of our society.
Rev John Kaoma, you are not alone in questioning this “Christian nation” mantra. I’m always marvelled at how Zambians in general seem to believe in it with such conviction, amid all the “anti Christian” vices-manly corruption and promiscuity. Each time I visit Zambia, I’m in awe at the numbers flocking churches and engaging in biblical convictions. And yet from the very top of leadership across Zambian society, promiscuity and corruption are deep rooted and has become normal. We will rise and proclaim our Christian nation “status” when it comes to discussions on homosexuality and yet praise those who flaunt riches through corruption. As if thats a lesser sin. And it has become clear to me that 98% of successful Zambians are successful through direct links to abuse of public…
Me thinks this man of the clothe has missed the entire point.
The kingdom of God does not come by declaration, but by DEMONSTRATION meaning that declaration does not confer the character of Christ on anyone.
Secondly, taking on the name of Christ when you do not actually represent Him amounts to taking His name in vain – direct violation of commandment number 3. The consequences of we as an entire nation dragging that holy name though the mud are serious and longstanding. You have been warned.
If Zambia is trully a Christain Nation, we as its national should follow Christain value. We should not just promise to lead by the Ten Commandments whilst doing the exact opposite. Prositution in this Christain Nation of ours is rampant and the dress code of our women is bad, there moving the street almost half naked, we are being made to sin dayin dayout ” As we look at them lastingly”.Please our Christain Leaders do something about this nonsense. Kenya did it why cant Zambia did it also
EVEN JUDAS ESCARIOT was defended, so i dont see any sense here, zambia is a country with a VALID CONSTITUTION AND LAWS amendments in the constitution is not an issue, infact the old constitution has no problems we have lived with it for 50yrs now so why change Now or be in a hurry to change?
Are descendant of Judas in search of few pieces of silver?
Your posting begs the question: what then was the use of wasting colossal amounts of money to pay a group of people to collect views of citizens on the constitution for?
The answer might be: To appease cronies and relatives because after all the money was not coming from an individual’s pocket but from the beast called government.
Question 2: Should we then be obliged to believe any statement that proceeds out of the mouth of the current president?
Answer: This is a personal decision but based on his pronouncements which he himself has violated, the answer is NO for me.
P.F, Ba Kawalala chabe!
There are so many corrupt cases, being concealed so they can Eat as Munkombwe remind us why they are in Government
1. Trafigura,Oil scandal.
2. State House renovation scam.
3. Fertilizer Rip off.
4. Roads Contracts misappropriation
5. C.C.T.V, con.
6. Zambezi Mining Fiasco.
The list goes on Dare I say more?
ALL MANAGED BY MR I’M ALLERGIC TO CORRUPTION! This Government iz Rotten to the Core
Rotten country with rotten leadership GOD help US
Start with cleaning up among yourselves before you talk about laymen. Those fake pastors using the word God as a business. Exploiting poor congregrants with big tithes to suport their luxurious lifestyles. Andwho told you mining in LZNP is bcoz of corruption? Suppose it was a cabimet decision? You can be sued for libel!
You are good at talking, offer an alternative to this problem. Rev Kapya John Kaoma you need spiritual eyes to understand what is happening not just talking from without, atleast govt is doing something. we talk alot without offering alternatives, if talking was an industry zambian could have developed more than America – USA. what we need are contributions not Criticism. To our leaders do what you feel is right before God. You will never satisfy man, man is always on the negative, If God his creator has failed to satisfy him how much more mortal man. Human beings are short – sighted.
@Alex
You sound as if this is your first time to read Zambian news. If so, pls ask for the background before you comment. Who doesn’t know what this Govt is really upto? You rightly say, give alternatives and not critisms. But where do those alternatives go when your leadership doesn’t listen and we all know they don’t. What can you give monkies in a maize field in order to help them? More maize (your taxes) is the only thing they will welcome with open arms. Anything else is a threat to their well-bing hence you see the opposition in Police cells and political driven court appearances. Need I say more…
Remembering professor PK Chishala through one of his songs POLEPOLE, “Lesa tabepwa ba munyina…alasebanya ilingi line ni pa menso ya bantu”
The ACC is not toothless!
The problem is it has been transformed from an organisation to fight corruption into a tool to fight political opponents and the freedom of the people.
Allergic to corruption was just another LIE to get into State House.
Alex you seem like the big sinner, how does someone offer alternative to pharaoh
You will be wasting your time, even God despite bringing all kinds of things on pharaoh
He never listened, the mister I hate corruption is sick but yet still backtracking on his promises, where is his integrity, a grown person doesn’t need alternatives unless a child
Because they know a lot, worse off the ones who are very old
He has said it starts with each individual, including himself as a member of the clergy. What do you want him to do apart from highlighting the problem, start baptising each and everyone of you like John the Baptist all over again?? We have the auditor’s report that brings out corruption by civil servants year in -year out but what is done to correct the situation? PF lost over 700 billion (old currency) through mismanagement, but since it was less than what was lost in MMD, Kapeya issued a bragging statement on how better they are. Simple minds feel better when they compare themselves to mediocratic ones.
“Be it at the passport office, police station, and at courts, corruption is the only way to get what is legally yours.”
This hits home; I once worked for an organization where the accounting department demanded a cut in order to pay me my arrears. I have never got those arrears to date because I refused to be part of the nonsense. There are many sad stories like this in that Xian nation…
God, shut the whole mess down. Now. Nothing worth keeping in that ‘country’
The Rev is right, no need to bury heads in the sand. The root cause is a permissive culture where people can be dishonest and when discovered show no remorse at all.
Saba Asa, you are so right. Couple that with the fact of a justice system that allows the loopholes of “bottomless” bail appeals that allow convicts to run scot-free and in most cases even keep their public office while they wait out a lapse to their sentences… it is a shameless set of brazen individuals.
Every human being is a born natural thief, isnt it the reason why life is not squarely shared? Churches thieves, mosques, thieves cults, thieves, non believers, thieves, need I say more? Just express yourself factually not name calling, it wont make any difference only that some of them are day light robbers, whiles others prefer to do it in the shadows!
This Rev is not sincere , Jesus said no one is good but God alone , if this man of God if he says he is not a sinner he makes himself a lier how does he judge non believers when he himself sins every day , let him tell us when he doesn’t sin, sin is the nature of man , that’s why paul says no one can be saved by his works . Christian nation is ok for Zambia lest satan comes to steal the whole nation
I believe the Declaration is working judging by the standard you are using to judge the conduct of your leaders – it is THE Biblical standard!!! The declaration is a measure of the standard we have chosen to live by and the standard we have chosen to judge our own conduct by. Any deviation immediately calls to memory THE STANDARD!! I love the Biblical standard and may it long endure. Somewhere along the way we WILL learn to uphold it. It will be tough but we need to go through it. Do not slap God in the face for the failures of his servants. That is wrong! Let us deal with our errant leaders in the manner God has prescribed in his Holy Writ.
Christian nation is okey for Zambia , mind you Christians are not perfect as you would like them to be, but are people who choose obey and love God , it doesn’t make them perfect just as you are not perfect , you are a sinner but it is the identity that makes you hide from the same problem of sin , so don’t boast because no one has caught you
The man has put it to our ears. It now lies as our responsibility to comprehend. His voice is no different from Nathan who told David of the EVILS he was committing with Mrs Uriah one of his very good generals!
The level of corruption in Zambia is scary. Sata has really destroyed Zambia.
Bwana Rev. who taught you that when a nation is full of corrupt leadership, then it ceases to be the apple of God? take a side for God that even when one man worships Him and Him alone, and if even by their lips they declare their land unto Him, God, He will hear them because of One person who is the only righteous. Ask yourself, and a lot in your mind and heart, why Christ died for mankind. We, as a people are a failure by ourselves, and sin is not only that which is obvious, not all, but even that which is not seen, not yet or being born. Let the mercy and love of God be, and love with grace reign, even in thickest of thorns. With love sir
Aprayer from an upright person is always answered.God will always test His own in somany ways,in thinking,action,teaching and sherpingad.As an anointed one obey the Word.
Rev, you are telling an untruth. In fact all the chiefs in the Lower Zambezi supported the creation of the mine. Get your facts right!
I wish you had the basis for your counter argument–so far, all the chiefs and the minister of Tourism herself are on record of opposing mining.
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” MLK Jnr.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. MLK Jnr.
In Zambia,the easiest way to manipulate people is to be a lion in sheep skin,especially when you engrave oneself as a Christian ,if we have true Christians in govt why are they watching God’s children been oppressed?why playing the tribal card,why fixing the opposition with countless charges,why lying.
sata is a dishonest substantial.Christian nation??????????????????????????????