Archbishop Alick Banda warned and cautioned over alleged ZRA vehicle

The Drug Enforcement Commission has confirmed that it has warned and cautioned Archbishop Alick Banda as part of ongoing investigations into his alleged possession of a Toyota Hilux motor vehicle linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority.

In a statement issued through its Public Relations Office, the Commission said the matter is being handled by its Anti Money Laundering Investigations Unit and relates to a motor vehicle bearing registration number ALF 7734, which investigators reasonably suspect may have been unlawfully obtained. The investigation covers a period between April 2021 and December 2023.

According to the Commission, the investigation is anchored on Section 319(a) of the Penal Code, which deals with possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime. The Commission stated that the warn and caution procedure was conducted to formally inform the Archbishop of his rights and to give him an opportunity to explain how he came into possession of the vehicle.

The Commission further disclosed that when given an opportunity to explain how he assumed possession of the Toyota Hilux, Archbishop Banda chose to remain silent. DEC said investigations remain ongoing and that the public will be updated regarding the outcome at an appropriate time.

Earlier in the day, Archbishop Banda appeared at DEC offices in Lusaka after concluding mass at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus. He arrived at around 10:20 hours in the company of his lawyers, opposition political leaders, and Catholic faithful who had gathered to accompany him.

The interrogation reportedly lasted about two hours, after which Archbishop Banda returned to the Cathedral of the Child Jesus together with his legal team. His lawyers did not disclose athe outcome of the interview to the media.

During the procession to DEC offices, police officers led by Lusaka Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer Ronald Zambo described the gathering as illegal and urged sympathisers to disperse. Police maintained a visible presence as the group moved through parts of the city.

Earlier, a mass service was held at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus at Pope Square to show solidarity with the Archbishop. The service was attended by scores of Lusaka residents, including several opposition political leaders. Among those present were Socialist Party President Fred M’membe, United Liberal Party President Sakwiba Sikota, National Democratic Congress President Saboi Imboela, and Patriotic Front presidential hopefuls.

In his homily during the mass, Archbishop Banda spoke about persecution in religious service, stating that those who suffer for their service to God will be reunited and find joy in Jesus Christ. His remarks were delivered before he proceeded to DEC offices.

DEC has since clarified that recording a warn and caution statement is a standard legal procedure used during investigations. In legal terms, a warn and caution means a person is formally informed of their rights and warned that anything they say may be recorded and used as evidence. The procedure does not amount to a finding of guilt but allows investigators to document a person’s account of events.

The Commission emphasised that the process marks an early stage in investigations and that conclusions can only be reached once inquiries are completed. DEC said the investigation remains active and that updates will be provided once appropriate.

By Lusaka Times Reporter

We briefly caught up with Brian Mundubile as police officers moved in to disperse church sympathisers who had gathered near the Drug Enforcement Commission following the appearance of Archbishop of Lusaka Dr Alick Banda.

At the time of reporting, police were surrounding the roundabout near the High Court and issuing fresh instructions to push the crowd further away from the area. Mundubile was seen moving quickly as officers advanced, before getting into his vehicle and leaving the scene.

Speaking moments before his departure, Mundubile described the developments as unfortunate, stating that the gathering was peaceful and not political in nature.

He said the group largely comprised priests, nuns, and other church members who had escorted the Archbishop earlier in the day.

“This is a very peaceful crowd, predominantly of priests, nuns and other church members who may have escorted a bishop to D.E.C,” Mundubile said. “For the police to deploy this amount of force, where are our freedoms? We have freedom of movement and freedom to associate.”

According to Mundubile, the group had walked peacefully from the cathedral to the commission offices and was already dispersing when police began intervening.

“The parishioners, nuns and other priests were on their way back, but the police are now harassing them,” he said. “So when we say there is an attack on the church, this is exactly what we mean.”

As police continued to move the crowd further away from the roundabout near the High Court, Mundubile questioned the necessity of the operation, maintaining that the gathering posed no threat to public order.

“This is not a political crowd,” he said. “It is a very peaceful crowd.”

When asked how he hoped the situation would unfold, Mundubile said he expected the government to handle the matter with objectivity and maturity as questioning of the Archbishop continued.

He said he hoped President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration would exercise restraint, warning that continued confrontations involving the church could have broader implications for the country.

“If there is continued action perceived as an attack on the church, that is not good for the country,” Mundubile said.

At the time of reporting, police had not issued a public explanation for the decision to disperse the gathering. No incidents of violence or arrests were observed.

The developments unfolded as Archbishop Banda was being questioned by the Drug Enforcement Commission, amid heightened national attention over public order, freedom of assembly, and church-state relations.

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.

Minister says DEC summons targets individual, not the Catholic Church

Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu has rejected claims that the government is targeting the Catholic Church, saying the summoning of the Archbishop of Lusaka by the Drug Enforcement Commission is a routine law-enforcement process directed at an individual and not at the church as an institution.

Briefing the media, Mwiimbu said there was no motive for the state to target the Catholic Church, stressing that he himself is a Catholic and a law-abiding citizen. He said suggestions that the government is hostile to the church are unfounded and do not reflect the actions or intentions of the state.

The minister said appearances before law-enforcement agencies by prominent public figures are not new in Zambia and should not be interpreted as persecution. He cited past examples of senior national leaders who had been called to account by law-enforcement bodies, including former presidents Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda and the current Head of State, Hakainde Hichilema, who appeared before the police on several occasions before assuming office.

Mwiimbu said the fact that a prominent individual is summoned by a law-enforcement agency should not be treated as unusual or alarming, adding that such processes are part of the country’s accountability framework. He said this applied equally to church leaders, noting that the Archbishop of Lusaka is not the first senior church figure to appear before law-enforcement agencies, either in Zambia or elsewhere.

According to the minister, when individuals holding leadership positions in churches are called to account, they do so in their personal capacities and not on behalf of their institutions. He said accountability in such cases has nothing to do with targeting a church and should not be presented as such.

Mwiimbu said the government remains committed to upholding and respecting the rights of all individuals. He added that when any individual is suspected of having breached the law, they are required to account for their actions in accordance with legal procedures, regardless of their position or standing in society.

Addressing concerns surrounding the scheduled appearance of Archbishop Banda, the minister said the call-out by the Drug Enforcement Commission is a routine process applied to anyone accused of violating the law. He stressed that the summons does not imply guilt and should not be interpreted as a judgment on the Archbishop.

He said the purpose of the appearance is for the commission to hear the Archbishop’s side of the story so that the matter can be concluded. Mwiimbu said it was therefore unfair for anyone to suggest that the government is targeting the Catholic Church, when the issue concerns an individual responding to allegations.

The minister also referred to international examples where senior Catholic clergy have faced legal processes, including cases involving bishops and cardinals outside Zambia. He said such actions do not amount to churches targeting themselves but reflect the principle that individuals are answerable in their personal capacities.

Mwiimbu further assured the nation that the government has no intention of interfering with a prayer meeting called in support of the Archbishop. He said the church would freely exercise its right to pray and that no one would interfere with religious activities.

He said the police would only provide the necessary security arrangements to ensure public order and national safety, stressing that maintaining peace and stability remains the responsibility of the state. Mwiimbu thanked members of the public for their orderly conduct during the festive period and said the security situation in the country remained stable.

The minister also said the government is open to dialogue with the church on issues of national interest. He said the President had received a proposal for dialogue from the church and looked forward to engagement, in line with the government’s position that dialogue remains the appropriate way to address national concerns.

Responding to questions from journalists, Mwiimbu reflected on past incidents when President Hichilema was summoned by the police while in opposition. He said previous administrations had insisted that the President could not appear before law-enforcement agencies accompanied by supporters, citing legal and regulatory provisions.

He recalled instances where opposition supporters were dispersed when they accompanied the President to police appearances, including the use of tear gas. Mwiimbu said the law had been clear on the issue of escorts and gatherings around police call-outs, and that these principles continued to guide the conduct of law-enforcement agencies.

He said the government’s position remains that accountability processes should proceed in an orderly manner, without creating situations that could compromise public safety. Mwiimbu said the police would act within the law and provide security as required, while ensuring that individual rights are respected.

The minister said he briefed the nation to clarify the government’s position, calm public anxiety and address what he described as misplaced fears that the state was acting against the Catholic Church. He said the government remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting constitutional rights and engaging stakeholders through dialogue.

Zambia Must Prosper leader Kelvin Fube Bwalya has raised legal, constitutional, and ecclesiastical objections to the Drug Enforcement Commission’s decision to summon Archbishop of Lusaka Alick Banda, arguing that the move reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both criminal law and church governance.

Speaking during a public address delivered while on holiday, Kelvin Fube Bwalya, acting in his capacity as leader of Zambia Must Prosper, described the summons as a matter of national concern requiring clarity rather than conjecture. He confirmed that the Archbishop had been summoned by the DEC in connection with alleged money laundering and questioned the legal basis upon which the inquiry had been framed.

Kelvin Fube Bwalya anchored his remarks in the broader framework of constitutional democracy, stating that Zambia’s governance system is premised on the rule of law, good governance, and moral justice. He argued that leadership in a democratic society should be exercised through service and discernment, not through actions that may be perceived as intimidation or public embarrassment.

Addressing the structure of law enforcement in Zambia, Zambia Must Prosper stated that institutions such as the DEC, the Zambia Police Service, and the Anti-Corruption Commission operate under statutory arrangements that place them within executive oversight. According to Kelvin Fube Bwalya, this framework makes it implausible for an action of such public significance to occur without awareness at the highest levels of government.

The Zambia Must Prosper leader then turned to the governance structure of the Catholic Church, outlining that archbishops are appointed by the Vatican and report through established ecclesiastical and diplomatic channels. He argued that summoning an Archbishop carries implications beyond the individual cleric and touches on institutional relationships that require careful handling.

Central to the objection raised by Zambia Must Prosper was the issue of church donations. Kelvin Fube Bwalya explained that churches receive financial and material support from congregants and benefactors under strict principles of confidentiality. He noted that Catholic clergy are bound by moral and ethical obligations not to disclose donor identities, likening this responsibility to the professional confidentiality observed by lawyers and medical practitioners.

He argued that the summons places Archbishop Banda in a position where responding fully to questions about donations could require breaching church doctrine. According to Zambia Must Prosper, the exercise of the right to silence under such circumstances should not be construed as obstruction or admission of wrongdoing but rather as adherence to established ethical obligations.

Kelvin Fube Bwalya also challenged the legal framing of the alleged offence, stating that money laundering cannot exist in isolation and must be anchored to a predicate offence. He questioned whether the DEC had identified any underlying criminal activity attributed to the Archbishop that would generate proceeds capable of being laundered. He asked whether there was any allegation that Archbishop Banda had personally engaged in theft, fraud, drug trafficking, or other illicit conduct.

To illustrate the normalcy of church donations, Zambia Must Prosper referenced historical practices in which political leaders across administrations have made contributions to churches of various denominations. Kelvin Fube Bwalya questioned whether such donations, long accepted as part of religious life, could retrospectively be criminalised without destabilising church-state relations.

Concerns were also raised about the public nature of the summons. Zambia Must Prosper argued that matters involving senior religious figures should be handled with discretion to avoid unnecessary public tension. Kelvin Fube Bwalya noted that the Catholic Church represents a significant portion of Zambia’s population and that actions taken against its leadership inevitably resonate beyond legal procedure.

The statement further referenced past instances where Archbishop Banda and other senior clerics have intervened in politically sensitive situations, including peace-building efforts and engagement with detained political figures. Zambia Must Prosper presented these actions as part of the Church’s longstanding role in national reconciliation.

Kelvin Fube Bwalya cautioned that law enforcement actions framed as procedural may be perceived differently when directed at moral or religious leaders, particularly in a politically charged environment. He warned that such perceptions could contribute to instability if not managed with restraint and clarity.

Zambia Must Prosper concluded its address by affirming its support for Archbishop Banda and reiterating its commitment to constitutional order, church principles, and moral ethics. Kelvin Fube Bwalya stated that the organisation would not accept what it described as harassment or intimidation of religious leadership and confirmed that the address represented its formal position on the matter

Vice President assures Lundazi flood victims of continued support

Vice President Dr. W.K. Mutale-Nalumango has assured flood-affected communities in Lundazi District that she will return to the area in February, reaffirming government commitment to sustained support following recent flooding that displaced several families.

Dr. Mutale-Nalumango made the pledge after touring flood-impacted areas, including Mphamba Bridge, before proceeding to Vigodo Ground, where she addressed displaced residents and observed ongoing emergency response efforts.

During the visit, the Vice President described the evacuation of residents as a moment of responsibility and shared humanity, noting that ordinary citizens who depend on national resources must be protected when disasters strike.

She said emergency teams prioritised evacuating families from high-risk zones and relocating them to safer locations identified by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), whose personnel she commended for working on the ground under difficult conditions.

The Vice President said leadership during natural disasters requires decisive action guided by compassion, adding that the response in Lundazi reflects the governance approach of President Hakainde Hichilema, which places dignity, safety, and the well-being of citizens at the centre of public service.

The visit follows earlier reports of flooding in Lundazi, where heavy and sustained rainfall caused water levels to rise, threatening homes, infrastructure, and access routes. Authorities moved in to stabilise the situation through evacuation, temporary shelter, and monitoring of affected areas.

Significantly, the flood response in Lundazi has seen cooperation across political lines. Lundazi Member of Parliament Brenda Nyirenda, an opposition lawmaker, has also been actively involved in response efforts, setting aside political considerations to focus on the humanitarian needs of affected residents.

Ms. Nyirenda toured the water treatment plant in the district to assess its condition and operational capacity amid flooding concerns, highlighting the importance of safeguarding water supply and public health during emergencies.

Local officials said the MP’s engagement formed part of broader efforts to ensure that essential services remain functional despite the impact of floods, particularly in communities where infrastructure is vulnerable.

The Vice President acknowledged the role of local leadership and Members of Parliament in responding to the crisis, noting that effective disaster management depends on cooperation between central government, local authorities, and community representatives.

Dr. Mutale-Nalumango said her planned return to Lundazi in February would allow government to review progress made, assess remaining challenges, and consider longer-term measures to reduce flood risk in the district.

She urged residents in flood-prone areas to continue cooperating with authorities and to heed safety advisories, emphasising that early evacuation remains one of the most effective ways to prevent loss of life.

The Vice President said government would continue working with the DMMU, local councils, and elected leaders to monitor conditions and provide support to displaced families as recovery efforts continue.