There were touching scenes of expressions of grief from the mass of mourners who attended the burial who came from some of the most heavily populated residential areas of Lusaka.
National Guidance and Religious Minister Godfridah Sumaili, Lusaka Province Minister Japhen Mwakalombe and Lusaka District Commissioner Davison Mulenga were present to mourn with the bereaved families and friends.
Reverend Sumaili said the deaths were a painful loss to the nation as they could have been avoided had Church of Christ followed Government instructions not to go ahead with the event without following laid down procedures for handling large gatherings.
She said the tragedy served as a tragic reminder to local churches to be cautious about the authenticity of foreign faith-based organisations that came to conduct religious programmes in the country.
“This is a wake-up call for local churches. They should have the spirit of discernment to know the spirit behind some of the churches that come to conduct their activities in Zambia,” Rev Sumaili said.
She said Zambia was a nation of laws and that religious bodies that did not adhere to laid-down legislation would face the law.
Rev Sumaili also said Zambia was set to record a bumper harvest this year and that politicians who had politicised the matter were seeking political mileage.
Mr Mwakalombe called on Zambians to unite in prayer for the bereaved families.
He said the Government would soon announce measures that would be taken to support the families.
President Edgar Lungu had instructed investigative wings to expedite investigations into the matter to determine the real cause of the stampede.
Mr Mwakalombe said people who were attributing the deaths to high hunger levels in the country were insensitive to the feelings of the families.
Like we stated. We are Christians, but the church was not wise. Either that, or they were up to no good.
A member of them even said that The Catholics ( As how they identify those who attended the outreach) were lowly, starved to death and indisciplined… He even blamed them for not follwing protocols and procedures in claiming for rations or food hampers. this is is just so saddening.
I want anonymity sirs.
The Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo) is a Filipino congregation founded by Felix Y. Manalo (rapist). This organization is similar to mafia or organized crime syndicate. Very dangerous organization. A wolf hiding in sheep’s cloth.
This Church are being led by corrupt individuals who are used to ignoring the implementation of the law because they are above the law in the Philippines. They have so much influence there that the leaders are untouchable. Now they are spreading their networks overseas. The government of Zambia should not let this one go unpunished. The ministers or pastors of this church are still there and still conducting business as usual through the regular worship services where they gather donations through members’ offerings. Once again ignoring the decision of the government. They should be pulled back in line and disciplined.
I was born in this cult and left recently after finding out its a cult. All they are after are money money money. Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ is a CULT. Avoid at all cost.
Truly helping other is not by religious propaganda nor for Broadcasting value. This purportedly self righteous, pride arrogant Church does not understand nor will take effort to understand the complexity and deep history of immense poverty not only in Zambia but in other countries of Africa. This church seems to promise your countrymen hope of material emancipation where thousands upon thousands of their poor members in the own country Philippines, couldn’t even afford to study on their own Church run School, the majority of their members could not even afford to their Church run Hospital. Many of their members actually rely on govt Housing projects and poverty alleviation programs. I learned that this Church is having serious problems of its own many members are crying out for…