The United Party for National Development (UPND) has made a strong statement regarding Bishop Alick Banda and Salangeta, denouncing them as political conmen and declaring them as political opponents rather than priests. The statement was released by UPND Secretary General, Hon Batuke Imenda, who expressed the party’s concerns over the role of the church in politics and the actions of these individuals.
While the UPND acknowledges the importance of constructive criticism and the church’s guidance in political matters, it emphasizes that the Catholic Church usually communicates its messages through pastoral letters issued by the church mother bodies like the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), rather than individual priests aligned with specific political cadres.
However, in the case of Bishop Alick Banda, the UPND asserts that he is a well-known political conman affiliated with the Patriotic Front (PF) who manipulates the pulpit to propagate PF ideologies. Hon Batuke Imenda highlights that in the previous elections, Bishop Alick Banda openly supported the PF, along with the Chawama Priest who pledged support for the PF Chawama MP.
The UPND believes that Bishop Alick Banda and Salangeta’s support for each other stems from their discontent over their loss in the 2021 elections. The party suggests that these individuals are disheartened to witness President HH exceeding their expectations in his efforts to improve Zambia. Hon Batuke Imenda points out numerous accomplishments achieved by the current government, such as free education, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the recruitment of teachers and healthcare workers, artisanal training programs, the reopening of the Indeni refinery, unity, and progress in resolving the country’s debt crisis.
Furthermore, Hon Batuke Imenda accuses Bishop Alick Banda of being the “Lucifer of Zambia,” alleging that he takes advantage of citizens by promoting the PF, a party accused of perpetrating acts such as gassing citizens, promoting bloodshed, dividing the nation, engaging in corruption, and suppressing media freedom. The UPND secretary general questions the silence of these self-proclaimed “men of God” during these troubling incidents, calling it hypocrisy.
The UPND challenges Bishop Alick Banda to a public debate regarding the sincerity of the new government’s actions and urges him to follow the path of Father Bwalya, who transitioned from a political figure to a respected voice outside of partisan politics. The party advises both Bishop Alick Banda and Salangeta to cease using the pulpit as a platform for political speeches, emphasizing that the church should focus on delivering the message of salvation rather than hate speech.
The UPND declares that it will consider Bishop Alick Banda and Salangeta as political opponents moving forward, emphasizing that it will call a spade a spade. The party challenges the two individuals to remove their veils and openly contend for the PF presidency, suggesting a battleground for political discourse.
The controversy surrounding the involvement of religious figures in politics continues to raise concerns about the blurred lines between spiritual guidance and partisan advocacy. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how this clash between the UPND and Bishop Alick Banda will unfold and impact public sentiment.
Ofcourse they are political hired guns in robes………..
Why do they only seem to find their voices when they have a PF audience ????
Inall other sermons , it is normal……as soon as they have PF in the service, the prists come out as GRZ critics……….
Do you attend all other sermons you moron? The sermons attended by politicians only get publicity because the press is usually present
Joe Blogs
Your mother is whore……….
How come not all sermons attended by UPND are covered ??
If ever there was a hired gun Its this Zimbabwean Mugoregore called Spaka. Look at how he is firing shots all over trying but failing to hit the target
This fight between UPND and the two priests will not end well. We are yet to see many bruises along the way from both camps. The weaker party is likely to be the party in govt knowing how the Catholic Church has fought govts and toppled them globally.
The rebel church would only unseat a goverment where perpertiual poverty rules………
We have every confidence in the UPND GRZ that things will be turned around………..
1. I am not saying UPND immature. But that is exactly what I am saying. UPND is immature. This itself proves that they don’t like to be criticized. And that’s being immature. The reason why almost every one is jumping on this band wagon to get their 15 minutes – is because the truth hurts.
2. Quote! ” Hon Batuke Imenda highlights that in the previous elections, Bishop Alick Banda openly supported the PF, along with the Chawama Priest who pledged support for the PF Chawama MP. ”
So what if Bishop Banda aligns himself with PF. Does that stop him from criticizing the government?. He’s Zambian who happens to be a priest. There is no Zambia-Law or the Catholic-Law that stops a priest from criticizing a sitting government. In the same way Bishops/Priest that align with UPND had every right to critic the PF Government.
I disapprove of the use of such strong language by the chief executive of the governing party in reaction to what the two clergymen have said. Political discourse should always be sober and polite.
An except I have read from a journal I have read by some scholar:
“…it appears that the Government in
Zambia sees the role of the Church only as spiritual and
praying for political leaders. On this basis, one would agree
with Komakoma’s (2003) observation that those who hold this
view fail to understand both the meaning of politics and the
role of the Church in society.It is clear from this perspective
that there is too much ecumenism among our Christian
churches, and some of our politicians do not want to be
challenged by the church.”
No it wasnt once upon a time. It was in 1991
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein.
They are in govt now they think they are powerful even after years in opposition watching on this very game played out before their eyes…the fact of the matter is they are not politicians you are, I have seen this type of rhetoric played out over the years and it doesnt always end well for the politicans.
Once upon a time president Chiluba said power is sweet
No it wasnt once upon a time. It was in 1991
Upnd continue digging your own grave. Hh will male history as the only president to ever lead a party that only ruled for 1 term. Mark my words. Kaleza
So how many terms did Lazy Lungu lead for? Really laughable
The bishops and priests speak for the people . When u were in opposition Bishop Trspohore Mpundu was speaking on behalf of the people against PF……You did not condemn him. Now Alick Banda and Sangaleta are speaking against you …..You have lost your brains!!! Simple message: FOOD IS TO EXPENSIVE that is all they are telling you!
Graphs, Graphs, graphs……kikikiki…..GRAAAAAAAAAPHS
If you love your president simply ask him to improve on his communication style. That press conference was misplaced and did not bring out anything.The graph was unwarranted. Even journalists present were confused as they expected better from the president. It is no surprise that the girl journalist called everything RHETOLIC. Just advise the president to do better !
but what is wrong with saying for our people who don’t understand graphs don’t worry willl explain to you in a way you understand …. sure does this have to be what occupies our country as a priority topic???? there will always be people who don’t understand find a way of communicating to them easy. fight the battles that we should be fighting like this mpika mineral issue flocked with foreigners buying gold at 850k from our people
Those saying UPND did not mind Bishop telesphore mpundus criticisms of PF , forget……..
That the Bishop did not have wait to have UPND in his sermon for him to be critical……..he was openly critical.
Now these priest’s only get critical when they see PF in the audience………???
Hired guns covered in robes , who see a payday when the PF come to pray………
PF can only now muster an audience in church………
GRZ needs to relegate this Christian nation opium to a position behind sacrifice through hard work mantra………..
What are you posting? Are you drunk senseless…regulate what? 3 years ago all this was okay today you are talking about regulations…really laughable indeed. UPND has an incompetent amature media and PR team that is stitching itself up; they have no clue how to deal with such a critic from clergy.
But you a ll know that you are all Zambians under one roof, you have to communicate amongst yourselves you don’t have to hide and talk.
Tarino Orange
Only fooools like you and the rest of PF see nothing wrong with this over done , over hyped Christian nation crap instead of a more beneficial moto like that of hard work
I am fooool now plus you are pigeon-holing me with the PF lot…you posting too much giberish and possibly drunk. I will not shoot back!!
Alick banda is well known PF cadre which everybody knows but that other one sangaleta he only got carried away seeing the presence of lungu in the congregation and therefore decided to spice up the sermon by taking a dig at upnd not knowing these are the consequences from upnd faithful.
Lungu is free to go anywhere he choses…….
Cameras don’t always follow………
The priest’s are free to say what they want within the law, when ever they want………….
Cameras don’t follow………..
However, on this particular day , after a presidential presser………
Lungu attends Church , and lord and behold the priest is now critical of GRZ……..
And , like an arranged marriage, Cameras are also there……….
Ofcourse the priest was prepped on what to say………
Everyone should just ignore this Spaka thing
This govt is playing with catholics.They are gone with thier immature politics
Political conmen definition please! As far as I know allnpoliticians are conmen. They tell us lies all the time and gain our confidence via these lies. So is Batuke the door man at the entrance to politics? Oh I see. So if anyone wanders into this territory protected by UPND he is a conman
I am happy for the Zambian people.
The UPND have started a fight they are very very unlikely to win.
On top of that, the party has even labelled the National Day of Prayer and Fasting useless.
The dog owner shouted and all the dogs have been let loose. Who let the dogs out woohoo woohoo should take the blame.
We are all being misled from the point. Imenda, HH her after the priest throat because the priest said food is very expensive today than two years ago. Imenda and HH should just lower the cost of living and stop explaining using stupid methods.
Without people like Bishop Dennis De Jong, Bishop Elias Mutale and others, the one party system could not have been dismantled at the time it was. Catholics don’t preach hatred or to get favours. They preach the truth. Only those who are enjoying three meals or more per day and comfortably driving their UVs with no worries over fuel cannot see what is happening.
Those of us who have relatives in shanty compounds are even afraid to visit them because teti tukwanishe.
Almost two months ago Hon Kabuswe had promised us fwebena copperbelt that the KCM saga would be solved the following week.. the following week is yet to come. Also since the end of the Black Mountain he’s gone quiet…. some of the reasons why people are talking.
The following week is yet to come so as the @14hrs and the rest of the crap. I blame it all on the still unemployed youth that are still eating my expensive bunga and have not left my home yet. The junkies I am still keeping and have no place to take them.
As long as Zambians want to continue with handouts the poverty will never ever come to an end, please work up Zambian forget about these PF cadres who destroyed the economy beyond repair. It’s time to fix the economy, remember German also went through actually much more serious economic problems under Weimar Republic, but the citizens themselves worked hard to correct the messy.
It is NOT the fault of PF its actually our fault to bring them into power with what they called DONCHI “KUBEBA WILALILA ASHI” This meant destruction and stealing.
Allow UPND to work and repair the economy though full cure will take at least 25 years!
Upnd is a failed project.. I don’t know why some people are failing to see or understand that.
Furthermore, Hon Batuke Imenda accuses Bishop Alick Banda of being the “Lucifer of Zambia,”
Most people have a wrong notion of Government. They still think it is a big elephant that Kwama Nhkuruma has killed and there is plenty of meat for everyone in the village.
Food is expensive, yes. One reason is that there are many middlemen.
Imenda zoona. What point were you trying to deliver?