Chishimba warns UPND is engineering its own political collapse
United Progressive Party President Saviour Chishimba has warned that the ruling United Party for National Development is hastening its own political downfall through what he described as misplaced priorities, selective application of the law, and the misuse of state investigative institutions.
Speaking this week, Chishimba focused his criticism on the decision by the Drug Enforcement Commission to summon Alick Banda over a motor vehicle allegedly linked to the disposal of assets by the Zambia Revenue Authority. He said the matter, reportedly involving a vehicle estimated at about K50,000, stood in stark contrast to what he described as the government’s failure to confront far larger financial crimes.
Chishimba said it was difficult to justify the mobilisation of anti-money-laundering mechanisms against a sitting Archbishop while cases involving alleged illicit financial flows amounting to billions of dollars have not attracted comparable investigative urgency. He argued that such an approach reflects distorted priorities and damages public confidence in institutions tasked with enforcing the law.
He described the summoning of the Archbishop as legally weak and morally troubling, stating that religious leaders in Zambia routinely receive gifts from congregants, including vehicles, without such acts constituting criminal conduct. According to Chishimba, the Archbishop had no role in the disposal of public assets and therefore could not reasonably be linked to wrongdoing arising from the original sale process.
The UPP leader said the use of the Drug Enforcement Commission in the matter was particularly concerning, given the commission’s mandate to address serious crimes such as narcotics trafficking and major financial offences. He warned that stretching that mandate to cover what he described as a minor and symbolic case risked undermining the credibility of the institution itself.
Chishimba further accused the government of using investigative bodies to intimidate critics and institutions that have taken moral positions on national governance. He said the Catholic Church has historically played a significant role in Zambia’s public life, particularly during periods of political tension, and that actions perceived as targeting church leadership could have far-reaching consequences.
In outlining his concerns, Chishimba cited figures he said pointed to extensive illicit financial outflows since 2021. He claimed that between 2021 and 2024, Zambia lost more than US$15.6 billion through illicit channels, including losses of US$9.3 billion in 2021, US$2.8 billion in 2023, and US$3.5 billion in 2024. He also referenced alleged misappropriations amounting to ZMW105 billion in 2022. He questioned why cases of that magnitude had not resulted in visible high-level investigations or prosecutions.
According to Chishimba, the contrast between those figures and the attention devoted to the Archbishop Banda matter feeds perceptions of selective justice. He argued that the law must be applied proportionally and consistently if it is to command respect.
Chishimba rejected assertions that the Archbishop was summoned purely in a personal capacity, stating that such distinctions carry little weight in public perception. He said a Bishop remains a spiritual and moral leader regardless of context, and actions against such figures inevitably resonate beyond the legal details of a case.
He warned that what he described as a “divide and rule” approach would ultimately backfire politically. In his view, the government risks alienating citizens who are already under pressure from high living costs, increased taxation, and economic hardship.
Chishimba said elections are often lost not because of opposition strength, but because governments misread public sentiment and undermine trust through their own actions. He urged the UPND to refocus on addressing major economic crimes and improving living conditions, rather than pursuing cases that, in his words, create division without delivering justice.
Local courts can help. Local courts ought to deal with relatively petty corruption along MSME lines. Quantitative parameters need to be elaborated for justice to be seen to previl. Any suspected corruption involving amount below one hundred thousand Kwacha must be decided by a local court. Then magistrates for amount below one million Kwacha followed by high court for amounts below one billion Kwacha. Above one hundred billion Kwacha automatically goes to constitutional court
You say local courts to decide on corruption cases below K100,000. How will the cases go to court without DEC or ACC to summon the suspects as was the case with the bishop?
Local courts can help. Local courts ought to deal with relatively petty corruption along MSME lines. Quantitative parameters need to be elaborated for justice to be seen to prevail. Any suspected corruption involving amount below one hundred thousand Kwacha must be decided by a local court. Then magistrates for amount below one million Kwacha followed by high court for amounts below one billion Kwacha. Above one hundred billion Kwacha automatically goes to constitutional court
Please please sit back and relax let them destroy themselves
They dont want to recognise the problem within and value money in their pockets more
It will be an interesting election. Imagine!
No winner because both UPND and opposition will fail
“…. He said the matter, reportedly involving a vehicle estimated at about K50,000, stood in stark contrast to what he described as the government’s failure to confront far larger financial crimes….”
Pleas, provide that evidence……….
Let’s hope it won’t be like the evidence munior Zulu had about 2 ministers receiving bribes……..
All Alick Banda has to do is prove he did not knowingly recive GRZ properly through corruption……….
Alick Banda is a PF cader who unashamedly mixes PF campaigns with religion………
FWD2031
Exactly. He is CK is a blabbermouth that calls media objectively to attract attention or sympathy. How do criminal investigations wings investigate billions without following smoke elsewhere. He should provide evidence of the existence of such big government funds evasions
Chishimba savior, do you understand the basic concepts of addition in mathematics? Big numbers and amounts don’t create themselves or brought about magically. All Big numbers and amounts come about by adding the very small numbers and amounts. In this regard every small single small number and amount matter a lot.ltis for this reason that religiousl, and in courts of law there’s no small case based on the the small number or amounts of…. things stollen.
Boza
These cats who rooted the government wallet better feel lucky for now there current administration is slowing walking these case fortwo reasons I can only guess. They’ve much more important issue that helps the wellbeing of the citizens, that’s something to do with economy. Secondly, normal speed prosecution will result more cry babies just it is a witch hunt or just targeting the enemies. Meanwhile they forgot the rooting they did especially before inauguration.
Library of lies
Normally when governments fail, especially in economic management and governance, they resort to what is going on. The reason the Choma rally was devoid of productive talk but punctuated by divisive talk and pure lies
Thank you
Enough of this
You say local courts to decide on corruption cases below K100,000. How will the cases go to court without DEC or ACC to summon the suspects as was the case with the bishop?
You think that if you fail to provide for your family then every Zambian is struggling as well as Zambia’s overall economy.?
Please tell me what is going on in this country?
So called Bishops in the mix???
Bishop recruited as a cadres in court for receiving/using stolen vehicle. The person accused of donating to him disowned and complained that his name was misused.