President Michael Sata has clarified that Rwandese Lundazi Catholic Parish Priest Fr Viateur Banyangandora was deported because the clergyman engaged himself in internal and active politics of Zambia.
Mr. Sata said government decided to deport Fr. Banyangandora, who has since returned back in Zambia, to teach him a lesson about engaging himself in external matters of a foreign land.
President said this in Chongwe today during the Easter Sunday Mass held at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church.
The Head of State said it is after consultations with the Rwandese government that his administration learnt that Fr. Banyangandora had ‘repented’ and have since recalled him back to serve and continue evangelizing in Zambia.
Mr. Sata said he then directed Home Affairs Minister Edgar Lungu to allow Fr. Banyangandora to return to Zambia and continue his work in bringing the lost sheep to Christ.
He reiterated the Zambian government’s commitment to enjoying warm cordial and bilateral relationship with Rwanda despite that country being ‘war torn’.
In January, this year, Fr. Banyangandora returned to Zambia after staying four months in his native country Rwanda.
President Michael Sata also said that development in Zambia can accelerate when there is peace. President Sata said that without love, there can be no meaningful development in the country. Mr. Sata commended the Zambian people for exhibiting peace even in difficult situations.
The President used the occasion to donate KR50,000 (K50million) towards the construction of the wall fence at the church.
The Catholic mass was attended by some cabinet ministers, among them Chongwe member of Parliament and Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo, Emmanuel Chenda (Commerce) Chris Yaluma (Transport) Joseph Katema (Community Development) Joseph Kasonde Health, Some Permanent Secretaries, senior government and PF party official and Christians from other church denominations.
He condemned acts of hatred saying the vice could not unity and develop then nation.
“As Christians we ought to forgive each other when one offends the another noting that no one is a perfect person as he or she lives on earth, “he said.
“If we have hatred forget about going to heaven. Let’s learn to forgive one another because no one is perfect and if you have hatred, forget about going to heaven,” he said.
The head of state said the Easter holiday should allow Christians to reflect and be considerate to one another’s doings by showing love and forgiveness.
Mr. Sata on Easter Friday attended a church service at St Ignatius catholic church in Lusaka to demonstrate his Christianity.
President Sata accompanied by his wife, the First Lady Christine Kaseba aboard a presidential Chopper arrived at Chongwe basic School grounds at 09:30 hours and left at 13:50 hours after attending close to four-hour church mass.
And President Sata said once resources were abundant, it is the wish of his administration to employ ‘everyone’ so that they could live a sustainable life.
And St. Pails Catholic Church In-Charge Gabriel Mwanamwalye urged Christians in their respective portfolios to have passion for the poor.
Father Mwanamwalye said poverty is Zambia was rife and implored the Christians and the politicians in particular to govern the country well so that the nation’s wealth is fully distributed even to the less privileged people.
He supported the PF Government’s strives to fighting corruption because the vice is detrimental.
The Catholic Priest called on Christians to be hard working and responsible in the development of the country because government alone cannot manage.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church Chairperson Andrew Sakala disclosed that the church has embarked on various income generating ventures to raise funds to enable the church over-come it challenges of water, construction of a kitchen as well as contributions from church members.
Mr. Sakala thanked President Sata and the first lady Dr. Kaseba for worshiping with them in rural areas despite their national busy schedule.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II commended President Sata for linking not only Chongwe district but the nation as a whole to the link Zambia 8000.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya observed that Zambia is headed for development under the leadership of President Sata hence the massive defection of opposition members to the ruling Patriotic Front from their respective political parties.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said unlike other past heads of State, they only rehabilitated major roads instead of creating new ones.
She further commended President Sata for re-aligning some districts among them Siavonga from Southern to Lusaka thereby adding the number of traditional leaders from seven to nine.
The Soli traditional leader said this in preference to Chief Chipepo of Siavonga and a named chief from Itezhi-tezhi.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya, who is also House of Chiefs Chairperson, appealed to President Sata to remove the House of Chiefs from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs because that way, chiefs would be directly responsible under a right ministry.
She called for training among the traditional leaders at the Chalimbana University College because such trainings were long overdue.
The Soli chief urged chiefs in the country against engaging themselves in active politics because it was de-meaning their status in society.
And I think he learned a lesson Mr President.Why is it that every foreigner wants to stay in Zambia for good?
We have not president in Zambia!
The president is right, Africans need being taught lessons
Thanks
That’s true Mr President. He should not come to Zambia to incite the people to revolt against a democratically elected government. Keep deporting them please. They should know that we have a working and not a sleeping government.
A country full of haters. The president being the worst hater of opposition leaders seconded by Kabimba & Silva Masebo.
I dont know why these three go to church & i believe thats why most pipo wish them ill luck especially kabimba.
‘Teaching a lesson’ is not part of Rule of Law. Perhaps in a chiefdom or a home that is acceptable. We need a president who will run the country according to our constitution and not on his whims. Please Zambians we need to restore democracy
Can’t get what president Sata is telling the nation. Sounds unfatherly to Zambia, may be someone misquoted him as it appears as if he’s taken leave of senses.
Let the nation be informed by presidential statemanship language.
HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW WYNTER HAS CONSPIQUOSLY BEEN MISSING WHERE MCS IS THESE DAYS.
The Chap was not there during the meeting MCS had with Muchinga Province Chiefs, Good Friday church service and Launch of the Lwangwa-Fiera project. Interesting that GBM has been available with the President at all these forus.
Given Lubinda is back, not only getting his Old Job back but continue being mentored to take over as PF and replublican President.
ALLUTA CONTINUA!!!!!
“Punish, then forgive”, that’s the implication of Sata’s confused easter message in Chongwe. “Shoot and aim later”. He starts by telling his audience how he punished a catholic priest for involving himself in “internal politics” but revoked the deportation later after the priest “repented”. The President then changes gears and announces how important love, peace and forgiveness are. What kind of gospel is this Mr. President, that fluctuates if it was to be reflected on a graph? Unbelievable!
Isnt this shameful for a head of state to conjure such behaviour against a man speaking for the voiceless? What is so political about speaking the truth? He rightly said that cotton farmers were cheated by the Government. The head of state considers that as “mingling in internal political affairs”.
Some of us, would have been deported a thousand times over as we have criticised and insulted the British Government many times over.
All things considered, these are simply belated politics by outdated minds and thugs. A Govt can’t not be so trivial when there are demanding issues affecting its people. Infact, today has been a day of revelations into just how the PF think and operate when you consider the other story about Snr Govt officials at the forefront of smuggling mealie meal
This is a rubbish comment, It doesn’t make sense. Unlawful deportation and later you apologise ..what a shame. Tax payers’ money was spend on his deportation and repatriation.. He is an important assert to Zed 🙁
Ba Presidenti Mwazaula! What was Lungu apologising for? Thank god I didn’t vote for you
These guys are a classic double act no sooner does one mope up another walks in and vomits on the floor!!
Lungus statement and satas are puzzling. Lungu was apologizing for wrongly deporting the father, but the king cobra (ngoshe)himself is saying they were teaching him a lesson. This government needs to get serious with what they do & say
@Oldrugsout Yeah my man Given Lubinda for President!
#2 EVEN MUSHOTA WHO IS NORMALLY OFF SIDE SEEMS TO BE INTELLIGENT TODAY, OR AT LEAST SHE HAS REASONED AS A RESEARCHER. #2 YOU ARE VERY DULL.
Doesn’t the President’s statement effectively extinguish Home affairs Minister’s ‘apology’ to the priest? Paradox of logic indeed.
Yayayayayyayayya, i think he was high when he took to podium! Komedy ka?
Forgive them father, for they not know what they are doing.
contradicting with Lungu hence dictatorship government is always uncoordinated
Lungu will now be taught a lesson for apologising. We will deport him to Mozambique via Chawama.
And there I was Praising this govt for an unprecedented HUMBLE act! Yaba aba ba ntamba lukuta!
I feel been sidelined by the President in preference of his tribe uncle Chikwanda that is why i am keeping a distance myself from him those days
@its a worry
The president and his govt have a sworn responsibility to protect and safeguard the nation from disgruntled elements and those sowing seeds of discontent or fomenting trouble.
The British govt cant deport you because you are a non-descript, a nonentity, who poses no threats of any kind to any living creature.
The British govt despite losing in court all the time have sworn to deport Abu Qatadar as a priority.
Why cant we deport undesirable people?
You are lucky LT has given you a platform to pour our your ignorance
Shame! Calibre of Leadership so nauseating
@sisi, you are missing the point here, don’t you realise that MCS and his minister are contradicting themselves? Are you saying that Zambians are so easily misled that a preacher giving a sermon in church can cause people to rise against a govt they love? Only govts that are doing wrong would be worried about its people rising against it. Besides, any normal govt can not just deport you without being taken to court; yes the British govt has failed to deport Abu Qatadar for over 5 years now because they are led by laws they have to abide by. If he was in Zambia we would have been deported years ago. Summary deportations is what Amin and Hilter started with and their people appluaded until they turned on their own people. Most times dictators are made by hero woshipers.
Very poorly written article. Sorry to Say this, but I think it’s symptomatic of the quality os journalism training in Zambia – sad state of affairs indeed!
Lungu & Sata in opposite directions. Do these guys have cabinet meetings or review what each member of their team (PF) says. I wont be surprise if sakeni also issues a contradictory statement tomorrow. Like HH would say CNP
Sorry: “… Quality OF journalism…”
Ba sata yavuta.Ba presido iliko bad eh.
Intimidation and threats are the order of the day, scary.
Today i stole my boss’es money “to teach him a lesson”. He has been medalling into the internal affairs of this country by paying me peanuts. Carry on Mr President. Its alright.
“War-torn Rwanda”? Has the president been hibernating under a rock? Despite their recent tribal wars, Rwanda has moved on is making tremendous social and economic progress that would put peace loving Zambia to shame. Paul Kagame is one of the most internationally highly regarded African leaders.
munyumba ya eni sa ochela mbewa.
How pathetic! We have no government in Zambia. Just clowns performing in a circus. They have no clue how to run a country. Lucky the Zambian people are docile. What else can one say?
What is this disease of allowing someone to continue Lying in public called? As a Zambian I hate to know that I suffer from it, but perhaps not for any much longer…
I am shocked to hear such words from the head of state! That’s all I can say!
Yes you taught him a lesson for supporting the Devil ,i mean YOU,when in opposition.Am sure next time he’ll learn not to obey his fellow Jesuit gays .Anyway it was good for you when Mafi or rather Duffy the late American Bishop of Mongu was actually acting as if he was an opposition leader .He’s calling you to the grave now.You are too double tongued man of inaction.
Even Chongwe this sata has to use a chopper elo lwanya,the man was busy condemning RB.Hes scared of seeing aba mapala
Jason challo # 30
paul Kagame is the worst dictator in Africa do your research. He is behind the war in Congo.That father knows this and he knows Kagame is no nonsense,he can’t open his mouth in Rwanda carelessly ,he would vanish into thin air.
Brainless ukwa and his minister contradicting each other. Since ukwa is the head then, the minister, Lungu is equally brainless
Ba sata ifiamba
We have Lungu applogising for deporting the cotholic priest, and now we have the president justifying the deportation. Who is correct here
Kateka Ulesala what to say that iron is not good give respect to the man of the Lord ..mind you baba you are mwachiusa.
Lungu apologises for wrongful deportation. Sata says the Father was ‘taught a lesson’. Are they in the same govt.? Besides, how was he involved in politics? A foreigner cannot comment on the problems facing his ‘flock’? He is a Father with pastrol responsiblities. Nothing wrong with a resident foreigner commenting on local issues to do with poverty, human rights e.t.c Negative attitudes to what you think a foreigner may or may not say or do, even legitimately, are the very foundations of some of the past and recent genocide horrors. By the way, Rwanda has moved on. The President should do his homework. You can’t call it ‘war torn’ when currently its more socio-economically organized than Zambia.
We need a clean president not a fool bachilandelande One Zambia One fool and that fool Michael chilufya Sata.
So why the apology?
@sisi
I don’t think I need to say much more than ask you to read the rest of the blogs on this article. And if you call me ignorant, then I will gladly take that but ask you to just reflect on why you should be the “odd” one or two to see “greatness” in this appalling act.
Yes! I maybe a nonentity in the uk but so was this priest until the this dull Govt moved in.
Ne fipuba filakula. Chaisaba na chi president.
What is inappropriate or discomforting is not neccesarily unlawful.Sow what law did the president use to teach this father a lesson? Are we a nation of laws or one of emotionally driven unlawful decisions?
Sata holding a rally about a priest, lying in church sure Ba president, Lesa tabepwa. I hope Sylvia Masebo did receive holly communion, smelling fresh sex.
After sata rule, nkomesha will be demoted from senior chief to junior chief. Siavonga and chirundu will be re- aligned back to southern.
The man was threatened with ex-communication from the Roman Catholic Church if he did not rescind the deportation order. The matter was considered an affront to the cause of the church (i.e. speaking for the poor) and a matter of gross insubordination by a member of the church. There were also suggestions that they just bar him from partaking in Holy Communion, which was going to be an embarrassment to him each time he was in church. The man is just trying to save face by making innuendos.
Funny that all of us commenting here are NOT in Zambia yet we want other people NOT to STAY as long as we are staying outside. Fake Christians we can be at times.
Tanda: How do you know that all the bloggers are outside Zambia? Are you by any means suggesting that there is no internet in this country or is it simply a case of gone for too long? By the way, am right in Zambia blogging from bed.
Those that are well read and informed will agree that Rwanda is fast becoming the paradise of Africa and an economic miracle. Kagame is a shrewd social organizer and a clean economic manager much like HH and Gen Khama of Botswana. Rwanda is attracting international attention from sociologists and world business gurus who are amazed at how a country that experienced such a horrible genocide can make so much social economic progress within such a short period of time. Tony Blair former British prime Minister is one of Kagame’s top advisers and lobbyist. Something amazing is happening in Kigali and Rwanda! No, its not war torn Mr. President, not anymore.
Makes sense to me.
Agree with most comments on how unrealistic Sata is on this. But I would like to say something about Fr Mwanamwalye, this priest has demonstrated his pf cadrism for a while now. I think he needs to be deported for being against the voiceless for far too long.
I see a familiar pattern. Build your house on illegal land and then it is demolished just when you are about to move in. LESSON TAUGHT. Buy a stolen car and have it cleared through the process and just when you are beginning to drive it the cops at the roadblock seize it from you. LESSON TAUGHT. Is this surely the way to run a society? There is also the guy who wrapped his house around a ZESCO pole… Could this be the new Zambian dispensation?
Yes,kagame is working so is our President. Can u go and vomit anything in Rwanda as u do here ? lt is only here in Zambia u *****s think everything from a foreigner is good . Everyone needs to have respect for our country.Teach everybody pf !
0 U CRITISIZING DE PRESIDENT ARE DOING SO LIKE HEADLESS KIDS. SATA TELLS U OPENLY WITHOUT PRETENDING FULLSTOP. 0 DE EVIL U ATTRIBUTE 2 HIM RE JUST IN YO WEAKERED HEADS.GUD ENOUGH IT IS ONLY DE SAME BLOGGERS WHO WOULDN’ T EVEN SAY WEL DONE IN ANY WAY
By the way guys, today is Fools’ Day – so tiptoe around some of these subjects…
Ok while I am being moderated – I wanted to say today is April 1… so be wary about what you believe in today.
53 you are spot on. 54 if you blog in the bedroom then your company is paying for your internet.
Guys you dont play with Kagame. You jerobos, smugglers, maize briefcasemen, dishonest millers, fake pastors, satanists, dishonest investors can not last in that small country. Mark my words. Am happy MCS has not moved in that direction.
54 to tell you the truth umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya.
The President considered the pastor’s services of ‘bringing the lost Zambian sheep back to Jesus’ that were badly needed in Zambian before accepting his apology. The president learnt a lesson.
Which statement is which? Sorry the deportation was wrongfully done? or the deportation was to teach you a lesson? How is it possible that there is no coordination in statements from these leaders….. this leaves a lot to be desired.
The snake that the Catholic Church admired and nurtured in their own backyard is now spatting its venom on them. No African government has ever insulted the Catholic Church in the manner that Sata has positioned himself. Even Robert Mugabe, who waged heated verbal wars with a Catholic Bishop in Bulawayo, has demonstrated his ability to draw a line between an erring Bishop and significance of the noble Church in Zimbabwe by personally attending the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome. Sata is the 1st African Head of State to INSULT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH for their views on human rights. Yet this is still Eater period. May God Hear Our Prayers.
For sure, I don’t support any foreigner disrespect on your land. But frankly I have been in Zambia and their current socio- ecomical status does not allow Presd. Sata to brand RWANDA as a war torn country. Respect Rwanda plz regardless of conflicts wz priests and habouring genociders. zambian Brothers and sisters let politicians not mislead us.
Lov&peace
But why is there a large contrast between what the home affairs minister said and what the president is saying? Just a few days ago we read here on LT that minister lungu apologised to father banyangodoa for deporting him. why apologise when the idea was to teach him a lesson as the president has said. dont you think that then,the whole idea of lesson teaching would be lost because an apology was made meaning that even the lesson was a mistake therefor the apology? i dont understand.
Locking up the opposition on flimsy grounds, Deporting every perceived threat and turning around on Easter to preach against hatred. This kind of leadership can only be found in Africa.
We have such mediocrity in power it is scary. The nascent dictator Mr. Sata does not cease to amaze.
we are in curch dont speak politics preach or adress the press conference and speak about that
Rwanda described as “war torn”? Someone’s mind is still stuck in 1994.
This just shows how simple-minded Sata is. He lacks intelligence for the post of presidency. The problem he has is that he thinks everyone is at his level of perceiving things around them. The statement he gave in church was misplaced because we all know that the deportation of the priest was a big embarrassment to the government. He said what he said because he had to say something to save face. Otherwise, there was no consultation between him and the Rwandan authorities. Sata just had to swallow his vomit and bring back the priest. How can a president make such statements in church? This country is in trouble. We are being ruled by people who want to take everything as a big joke. Nkomeshya souldn’t have have come out as a PF cadre. The house of chiefs must ask her to resign as leader.
@Robin – what sort of immigration policy does Zambia want? Do you want foreigners to come to Zambia and integrate with the community here, to develop a sense of belonging so they contribute to rather than exploit Zambia, to make a home here and therefore invest in Zambia for the long-term, to put roots down? Or do you want foreigners to just come and make a quick buck and leave? Because if you don’t want people who come to make this their home, if you choose people who are planning to leave, then you will continue to be exploited becuase they will continue to send all their profits out and will never integrate and be a part of our community.