A political miscalculation with long-term electoral consequences

A political miscalculation with long-term electoral consequences

The events of January 5, 2026, have emerged as a defining moment in the evolving relationship between the Zambian state and the Catholic Church, following the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Bishop Dr. Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission. The incident has generated intense political and religious reaction, particularly among Catholic congregants who view the episode as a public humiliation of church leadership rather than a routine legal inquiry.

In a statement reflecting deep concern, Kapembwa Simbao, President and member of the Zambia We Want movement, described the incident as an attempted embarrassment of the Catholic Church, arguing that the matter extended beyond an individual cleric to the institution itself. Simbao framed the events within a broader historical and political context, invoking the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli to suggest that those who help elevate leaders to power often later become perceived threats.

According to Simbao, the summoning of Bishop Banda represented a departure from established norms of respect traditionally accorded to senior religious leaders in Zambia. He contended that while accountability remains essential in public life, the manner in which the bishop was treated failed to recognise his standing as head of the largest diocese in the country and a central figure within the Catholic Church in Zambia.

Simbao argued that the Catholic Church, rather than the individual bishop alone, was the true target of the episode. He drew parallels to earlier incidents involving other religious institutions, including the demotion of an SDA pastor on the Copperbelt, which he characterised as a warning directed at the church rather than the individual concerned. In his assessment, these episodes formed part of a pattern in which religious bodies perceived as politically influential are subjected to pressure once they are seen as potential threats to continued political dominance.

At the centre of the controversy is a motor vehicle that Bishop Banda is alleged to have received. Simbao rejected claims of wrongdoing, stating that the vehicle was a legitimate gift from a private individual and not stolen property. He maintained that this position is widely accepted among Catholic faithful and questioned the necessity of escalating the matter in a manner that he believes cast the bishop as a criminal figure in the public eye.

The reaction among Catholic congregants, particularly those gathered at the cathedral on the day of the summons, was described as one of anger and political awakening. Simbao asserted that many Catholics interpreted the incident as an attack on their faith community, with electoral consequences already being openly discussed. He claimed that the episode had intensified political mobilisation ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Simbao further argued that the Catholic Church occupies a unique position in Zambia’s political history, noting that Catholic clergy played a visible role in civic engagement during the period leading up to the 2021 elections. He identified Bishop Banda and Emeritus Bishop Telesphore Mpundu as among the clerics who encouraged Catholic participation in national political processes at that time. In his view, this history has contributed to current tensions, as former allies become perceived liabilities once power is consolidated.

The statement also broadened its critique to include institutions such as Parliament, the Judiciary, and law enforcement agencies, which Simbao described as increasingly compromised under political pressure. He warned that if the Catholic Church treats the matter as an isolated issue affecting only its leadership, it risks following what he characterised as the decline of other institutions that failed to assert their independence.

Simbao concluded by framing the January 5 incident as a cautionary lesson for citizens and institutions alike. He urged voters to reassess political loyalties and to support leadership based on shared values and national interest rather than perceived virtue or past alliances. As Zambia approaches the next electoral cycle, he argued, the choices made by faith communities and the broader electorate will shape the country’s democratic trajectory.