Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Archbishop Alick Banda’s Hilux Saga: Winners and Losers

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The saga surrounding Archbishop Alick Banda’s Toyota Hilux and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Anti-Money Laundering Investigative Unit transcends mere comedy; it serves as a strong lesson for religious leaders. Since the 1990s, the insidious practice of brown envelopes and back-door gifts has taken on an almost sacred quality—though this reverence is only extended when these gifts come with adulation for the Supreme Leader. Yet, when one dares to resist this allure of idolatry, when one refuses to bow to Baal and his false prophets, they become prey—hunted like a helpless impala.

Archbishop Banda distinguishes himself as one of the bravest clerics willing to confront the status quo. Amidst the overwhelming economic hardships, the Arch. Bishop has repeatedly exposed the lies of President Hakainde Hichilema (HH), while many of his fellow bishops merely parrot “Amen” in exchange for brown envelopes. For better or for worse, President HH has finally ensnared him, seeking to humiliate and silence him over the confiscation of the Hilux—a vehicle now sullied by accusations of corruption. Yet one must ask: How many times has HH himself paraded through the churches with his own brown envelopes? These so-called gifts are often not even drawn from his personal finances. Much like his predecessors, they are drawn from the public coffers.

Let me be clear: I do not worship politicians, nor will I ever. I hold in high regard individuals of principle and integrity—attributes that HH clearly lacks. If the DEC is indeed earnest in its pursuit of corruption, should it not be HH himself who comes under scrutiny? His business dealings are so sordid that they could make even the foulest skunk seem like high-end perfume! The undeniable reality is that he cannot utter a single truth. He is shackled to lies, and it is hard to ignore the possibility that this ongoing case is a desperate maneuver to shield himself from his most vocal critic. Sadly, the same DEC will haunt him and his cronies as soon as they leave political office.

Politicians are not gods to be venerated, nor should they be treated as if they are above reproach. Accountability to the public is paramount. This necessitates that religious leaders categorically refuse to accept gifts in any form from political figures. It doesn’t matter if these gifts are lavish or modest—politicians’ wealth is frequently gleaned from the veins of the downtrodden, often amounting to blood money. The heart-wrenching plight of a dying child or a mother deprived of vital medicine in a hospital is precisely what those gifts symbolize. How can one rest easy knowing they have accepted a vehicle or gift stained with such suffering?

It is both unethical and sinful for the Church to share in the exploitation of the impoverished. All well-meaning religious leaders should learn something from this episode—political gifts can lead to personal ruin if you dare to champion the cause of the vulnerable. As the saying goes, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s.”

Jesus did not speak these words lightly; He understood the perils of compromising the gospel for material advantage. Without a doubt, the Archbishop could have prospered without that vehicle—his flock would have gladly provided him with a suitable alternative. However, his lapse in judgment has put the Roman Catholic Church and his prophetic integrity in a precarious position. Again, religious leaders ought to take this lesson to heart. Politicians are perpetually in search of ways to financially procure your voice, and when they recognize they cannot, you become an adversary. I disagree with the Supreme Liar on many issues, but the sobering truth is that unless the vehicle was gifted from personal funds, it belongs to the people of Zambia.

Importantly, religious leaders must not be seduced by material wealth; rather, they must remain steadfast in their commitment to uphold truth, justice, and integrity. Although the Archbishop may have stumbled, we must learn from this misstep and resolve never to compromise our values for the allure of political patronage. Religious leaders must consistently serve as advocates for the marginalized and oppressed, refusing to capitulate to the pressures exerted by those in power. We must remember our sacred duty to serve the people and uphold the tenets of righteousness, even in trying times.

By Kapya Kaoma

11 COMMENTS

  1. You don’t understand anything. We Catholics help our clergy in order to make their work burden easier. Unless the bishop solicitate for the vehicle then he can bear some guilt. While in Ndola Diocese someone who runs ka emerald mine after selling a good chunk, he felt he had to share the good fortune with the church, he presented him with a Jeep.
    Let’s stop this habit of always trying to find ways to hit at those who criticize us.
    Zesco is where our efforts should be concerned

  2. ……
    Kapaya, kapaya…….

    Even after 3 years you are still bitter like the defeat of lungu and PF happened yesterday ????

    Unfortunately for you,……….

    Most of the haters and tribal supremacists in your camp have come to the realisation that it is a 5 year mandate, and……..

    There ain’t a darn thing they can do, as a matter of fact, some have realised that mother zambia is more important than any tribe and are giving the president a chance……..

    We are here……

    Forwadee 2031………

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    • A you responding to the written article or to the name Kapya Kaoma? Read it through and will see two it a political message and a very clear truthful moral message

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  3. Can Kapya Kaoma render advice to anyone? Kaoma it seems to me thinks that being polite weakens his message. No wonder he’s no longer in good standing with the Catholic Church.

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  4. NO ONE, not even the President, has the legal right to take property that belongs to “THE PEOPLE’ and give it to whomsoever he wills. There is nothing wrong with anyone taking his OWN money and ‘paying’ the notorious and dreadful TITHE, an invention of the modern church, or freely giving to anyone whomsoever they will. There are thousands of street kids with no food and nowhere to lay their heads. Why steel from the State and give to a man whose robes alone cost as much as a small car, a man whose institution is the largest private land owner IN THE WORLD and worth trillions of dollars?

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  5. Zambia entered the mucky waters when we endorsed Hakainde as the president of Zambia. The previous presidents were true Zambians, this one, is not. Zambians must pray and pray without ceasing because the dark spirit is hoovering over our great nation and Hod will not allow this Dark spirit to engulf his own elect.

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  6. To Alick Banda PF and lungu were good because he used to receive brown envelopes and a vehicle from them. HH and upnd are bad because they haven’t given him anything. This has nothing to do with governance.

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  7. Not a true reflection of who b***** Banda is! He worships Lungu and not God. Stealing from the public purse is stealing. It doesn’t matter who the beneficiaries are. Stop this nonsense in Zambia. Zambian taxes are not for Lungu or HH to give their stooges, they are for service delivery to the people. Giving Banda a car for free is not service delivery. Zambians must stop being docile-act for what is right!

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  8. Not a true reflection of who Alick I Banda is! He worships Lungu and not God. Stealing from the public purse is stealing. It doesn’t matter who the beneficiaries are. Stop this nonsense in Zambia. Zambian taxes are not for Lungu or HH to give their stooges, they are for service delivery to the people. Giving Banda a car for free is not service delivery. Zambians must stop being docile-act for what is right!

  9. Dear All Zambian Citizens and Relatives of Ministers and Presidents of Zambia, their children and friends inclusive.
    Please note that The President of Zambia (and Ministers) has no right to give any Government Property to anyone person in Zambia nor outside Zambia. He /She and Ministers) is/are an employee of the people of Zambia, for the people of Zambia to the people of Zambia. So the employment Act of Zambia, equally and squarely apply to him/she/ Minister. Of course, The President, Ministers are NOT a Civil Servant, but they are Zambian Citizens’ SERVANTS.

  10. I wait to see a bishop / pastor from the Southern province humiliated too, i wait for it & see if these tribalists will do the same to their own.. they just made their tribe hated big time by ZEDIANS

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