An Archbishop’s Long Walk to D.E.C, may be A wrong Walk to 2026 Polls for UPND

An Archbishop’s  Long Walk to D.E.C, may be A wrong Walk to 2026 Polls for UPND

Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Dr Alick Banda, is currently being interviewed by the Drug Enforcement Commission in a development that has rapidly evolved into a defining political moment rather than a routine investigative appearance.

The Archbishop arrived at DEC premises accompanied by his legal team, including lawyers Jonas Zimba, Lungisani Zulu, and John Sangwa, all of whom were seen being granted access by police officers stationed at the entrance. Security around the premises was visibly tightened as the interview commenced.

Outside the offices, police restricted access to several political figures who had converged at the scene. Among those blocked were Socialist Party leader Dr Fred M’membe and Patriotic Front acting president Given Lubinda. Their exclusion, juxtaposed with the controlled entry of the Archbishop’s lawyers, heightened public attention and reinforced the sense that the proceedings carried broader political significance.

The mood around the DEC offices is sober but electric. While no public disorder was recorded, the atmosphere reflected a nation acutely aware that the moment may resonate far beyond the confines of a single investigation. For many Zambians watching closely, the Archbishop’s walk into DEC has taken on symbolic weight, interpreted by some as a “Long Walk to DEC” and by others as a potentially consequential “Wrong Walk to the Polls 2026 for the UPND Government.”

At the heart of the matter is a motor vehicle linked to Archbishop Banda, around which sharply competing narratives have emerged. Claims circulating in public discourse suggest that the vehicle was donated by the Zambia Revenue Authority or the government, allegations that have been strongly disputed.

A zambian Hopewell Chin’ono has publicly rejected those claims, stating that available documentation points to a private transaction rather than a state donation. According to Chin’ono, the vehicle was acquired through a Zambia Revenue Authority auction by a private individual, Mulopa Kaunda, acting in his personal capacity. He has stated that Kaunda later donated the vehicle to Archbishop Banda, who subsequently registered it in his own name.

Chin’ono has further indicated that a receipt of sale and a gate pass authorising the release of the vehicle after payment by Kaunda have been made public. The gate pass, issued by the Zambia Revenue Authority, is said to confirm that the vehicle was released following a completed auction process, contradicting assertions that it originated as a government or institutional gift.

Despite these explanations, the issue has expanded beyond the vehicle itself, becoming entangled in wider political and institutional tensions. Figures aligned with the ruling party have portrayed Archbishop Banda as sympathetic to former president Edgar Lungu. At the same time, voices within the Catholic Church have accused President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration of targeting or persecuting the Archbishop.

These accusations are closely linked to Archbishop Banda’s past criticism of the administration and his opposition to recently enacted constitutional changes. The changes include proposals affecting constituency delimitation, an increase in parliamentary seats by 113, and the removal of term limits for mayors.

As a result, what began as a question surrounding the ownership and disposal of a vehicle has shifted into a broader national moment touching on church-state relations, the exercise of law enforcement authority, and political tolerance. some citizens argue that facts have been eclipsed by partisan positioning, while defenders of the process insist that the law must apply without exception.

Yet for a significant section of the public, today’s developments are being assessed less through legal technicalities and more through their political consequences. With the 2026 general elections approaching, many Zambians are weighing how such moments shape trust in institutions, the political climate, and the perceived neutrality of the state.

As Archbishop Banda’s interview continues, the country watches closely. Whether this moment is remembered as a necessary step in upholding accountability or as a misjudged escalation with electoral consequences may ultimately be decided not at DEC, but at the ballot box.