LUSAKA — New Heritage Party (NHP) president Chishala Kateka has called for the immediate revival of a dormant criminal prosecution file against United Party for National Development (UPND) secretary general Batuke Imenda, accusing the state of enforcing the law selectively and shielding ruling party officials from accountability.

Kateka was responding to Imenda’s public statement made during a press briefing on May 28, 2023, in which he referred to Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda as the “Lucifer of Zambia.” The remark was recorded, widely circulated across multiple media platforms, and was never withdrawn or apologised for.

Despite the public nature of the statement, the matter failed to proceed after the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to grant consent for prosecution when the case came before Magistrate Chanda on March 4, 2024. The DPP cited insufficient evidence, a decision that effectively stalled the matter. Since then, no further legal action has been taken.

Kateka described the inaction as a stark illustration of double standards in the administration of justice, arguing that speech by ruling party officials is treated with leniency while critics of government are subjected to aggressive prosecution.

She said the contrast became more pronounced following the recent summons of Archbishop Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission over a donated Toyota Hilux vehicle. In her view, the swift mobilisation of investigative machinery against the cleric stood in sharp opposition to the reluctance shown in pursuing a hate speech complaint against a senior ruling party figure.

According to Kateka, the imbalance sends a dangerous signal to the public that the law is applied based on political alignment rather than principle. She maintained that criticism of government attracts punitive responses, while derogatory language directed at religious leaders by those aligned to power is effectively tolerated.

The NHP leader argued that Imenda’s remarks went beyond mere insult and crossed into hate speech, given the position held by Archbishop Banda and the broader social role of the church in national discourse. She said the language used was deliberately dehumanising and intended to discredit a moral authority that has consistently spoken on governance, social justice, and economic accountability.

Kateka further noted that in other politically sensitive cases, courts and prosecutors have shown decisiveness, particularly where opposition figures are concerned. She said comparable or even lesser speech-related offences have resulted in arrests, prolonged court processes, and custodial sentences when the accused are outside the ruling party.

She accused the prosecutorial decision-making process of reflecting what she termed institutional capture, where constitutionally independent bodies operate in ways that appear aligned with executive interests. She extended this criticism to law enforcement agencies, arguing that their enforcement patterns demonstrate selective enthusiasm, acting swiftly against perceived critics while exercising restraint when allies are implicated.

“The matter is not dormant because there is no evidence,” Kateka said. “It is dormant because of political convenience.”

She warned that when the law ceases to operate uniformly, it loses legitimacy and becomes an instrument of power rather than justice. In such circumstances, she said, public confidence in democratic institutions is steadily eroded, creating long-term risks for civic trust and constitutional governance.

Kateka said the continued failure to act on the Imenda case reinforces perceptions that statutes exist in form rather than substance, applied rigorously against some citizens and ignored when politically exposed individuals are involved.

She called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to reopen the file and subject the matter to judicial scrutiny, insisting that equality before the law must be demonstrated, not merely proclaimed.

At the centre of the controversy, she said, are three interconnected developments: the stalled prosecution over Imenda’s remarks, the active deployment of investigative agencies against Archbishop Banda, and the broader pattern of selective application of criminal justice mechanisms.

Her demand, she stressed, was straightforward: revive the case, apply the law evenly, and restore public confidence in the rule of law.

Makebi Zulu pledges unity and economic stewardship during courtesy call

Zambia’s Aspiring presidential candidate Makebi Zulu has pledged to prioritise national unity, economic recovery, and responsible leadership, saying the next generation of leaders must build on existing foundations rather than dismantle them.

Speaking during a courtesy call at the residence of elder statesman Nason Msoni, Makebi Zulu expressed gratitude for the encouragement and support extended to him, describing it as both an honour and a responsibility.

Mr. Msoni welcomed Makebi Zulu and praised his decision to step forward at a time when the country is facing what he described as a leadership deficit, noting that many capable young leaders have retreated from public service.

“We are grappling with a deficit of leadership in our country because many promising young men are shunning roles of leadership,” Mr. Msoni said. “That is why we are happy, absolutely happy, to see that you have put yourself forward for the office of President.”

He encouraged Makebi Zulu to remain steadfast, stating that Zambia needed patriots willing to serve, and expressed confidence that voters would make their choice at the appropriate time.

Mr. Msoni further invoked faith in his remarks, wishing Makebi Zulu well and praying that what may appear impossible would be made possible through perseverance and divine guidance.

In his response, Makebi Zulu acknowledged the role played by senior leaders in shaping the country’s political foundation and said the obligation of the current generation was to deliver results that meet and exceed the expectations of the people.

“Our obligation is to deliver according to the expectations of our elders, and even more, in appreciation of the great work that has been done in the past in setting the foundation,” Makebi Zulu said. “Our duty is to build on those foundations and not break them.”

He emphasised that economic challenges facing the country required trust, discipline, and competence, assuring Zambians that his leadership would focus on safeguarding livelihoods and restoring confidence.

“We need to prove that we can be trusted to take care of the people,” he said. “You can trust us to take care of agriculture, to address the energy situation, and to deal with all other national challenges.”

Makebi Zulu also underscored the importance of unity, warning against divisions rooted in tribe or region and reaffirming his commitment to inclusivity.

“We must unite everyone and bring everyone together,” he said. “We have one Zambia and one nation.”

Zambia’s economy has shown signs of renewed stability following periods of volatility, particularly in the exchange rate and inflation, Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has said, while acknowledging that the cost of living continues to place pressure on households.

Addressing journalists during a media briefing in Lusaka, Musokotwane said recent economic performance pointed to improved stability after difficult years marked by sharp fluctuations. He said the developments had brought some relief to businesses, consumers, and investors, even as government remained cautious about underlying vulnerabilities.

He said the administration was focused on managing the exchange rate in a balanced manner that takes into account the needs of importers who rely on foreign currency and exporters who earn in dollars. Both groups, he said, were central to sustained economic growth, and policy had to ensure neither side was disproportionately affected.

At the same briefing, Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya reaffirmed that all domestic transactions in Zambia would continue to be conducted in the local currency, the kwacha. He said the position remained unchanged and formed a core pillar of the country’s monetary policy framework.

Kalyalya explained that allowing the widespread use of foreign currencies for domestic trade weakened the effectiveness of monetary policy and increased pressure on foreign exchange demand. He said foreign currency was intended for external transactions such as imports, and not for the buying and selling of goods and services within the country.

The government’s position on currency management has come under renewed public scrutiny following its decision to accept the Chinese yuan, also known as the renminbi, for the payment of a limited portion of mining taxes and royalties. The Ministry of Finance has since clarified that the arrangement is narrowly defined and applies only to a small share of tax obligations.

Musokotwane said settlements in Chinese currency were currently applicable to four Chinese-owned mines and were designed to help Zambia minimise conversion costs when servicing debt obligations to China. He said the majority of Zambia’s external debt was owed to China, making it prudent to build yuan reserves for smoother and more cost-effective transactions.

He said the measure was driven by fiscal prudence rather than geopolitical alignment, adding that any savings realised through reduced conversion costs could be redirected toward public priorities such as health, education, and student support. He said the approach reflected the administration’s emphasis on saving resources in order to serve citizens more effectively.

The Ministry of Finance further clarified that only about 15 percent of total mining tax obligations would be paid in Chinese currency. Musokotwane said the cap was deliberate and formed part of a measured strategy to manage currency exposure while preserving stability in public finances.

He said the bulk of mining taxes would continue to be paid in established currencies used for budgeting and expenditure planning, with safeguards in place to ensure predictability in government revenue. The use of yuan, he said, was targeted rather than a wholesale shift in tax policy.

Musokotwane said the decision followed discussions on how to manage transactions involving Chinese firms and suppliers within the mining value chain. He said many mining companies transact with a range of suppliers and financiers linked to China, and the limited acceptance of Chinese currency would help streamline certain transactions without undermining the integrity of the tax system.

He dismissed concerns that the policy amounted to a broader move toward collecting taxes predominantly in Chinese currency, saying the framework clearly restricted the scope of such payments. He said the Treasury had assessed risks related to currency volatility and designed the policy to avoid undue exposure by keeping the proportion relatively small.

Separately, Musokotwane acknowledged that despite signs of macroeconomic stabilisation, the cost of living remained a significant concern for many Zambian households. Reflecting on the 2026 national budget themed “Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous Resilient and Equitable Zambia,” he said government was approaching the issue with humility and honesty.

He said lingering effects of climate shocks had contributed to electricity shortages, disrupting domestic life and business operations and constraining production. He added that many micro and small enterprises continued to struggle to access affordable financing, while a significant number of young people were still seeking stable and meaningful employment.

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.