Never use emotions to weaponise state institutions to harass religious leaders, Lungu counsels UPND
Never use emotions to weaponise state institutions to harass religious leaders, Lungu counsels UPND
By Fanny Kalonda
FORMER president Edgar Lungu has urged government never to use emotions to weaponise state institutions to fight, intimidate or harass religious leaders.
Lungu said he is saddened to learn that police have summoned Fr Andrew Chewe Mukosa for questioning.
Police on the Copperbelt have summoned the Lufwanyama based Catholic priest, Mukosa, to appear before them for questioning on Tuesday.
A call out signed by an inspector Chisala states that: “I have to inform you that Fr Chewe Mukosa said to be in your employment is required to attend interviews in investigations Office Room 55 Second floor of Copperbelt Division Headquarters Building, Ndola on 09/04 2024 at 10:00 hours for the purpose of investigations. He/ she will not be detained longer than is necessary”.
Recently, a video went viral on social media in which Fr Mukosa preached on challenges affecting the nation such as load shedding, unemployment and hunger.
Commenting the call out, Lungu warned against touching the anointed.
“In Psalms 105:15, the Bible says ‘Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm”. If our democratic government fails to respect and give space to religious leaders to freely preach God’s Word and practice their faith with liberty, justice, boldness, then we are not different from the ancient oppressive Roman government that persecuted, arrested, crucified and killed Jesus Christ for proclaiming the Kingdom of God in Spirit and in truth. We also go against Psalms 105:15. This morning, I am saddened to learn that our police officers on the Copperbelt in Ndola have summoned Fr Andrew Chewe Mukosa for questioning and may be possible arrest on 9th April, 2024. This is in line with his message on Easter Sunday last week,” Lungu wrote on his Facebook page. “As former president, PF leader and indeed as a citizen of Zambia, I want to put it on record that I stand with Father Mukosa and encourage him to remain strong in the Lord. As Christians and citizens, we must all pray for Father Mukosa because he will be facing the police as God’s servant simply for speaking the truth, defending the vulnerable in society and for proclaiming the gospel in truth. My advice to the UPND government is that, no matter how much you politically disagree or dislike what our religious and traditional leaders say against government especially on the cost of living or democratic values, you should never use emotions to weaponise state institutions to fight, intimidate or harass them. Let us keep Zambia as a democracy, let us keep it as a Christian Nation and let us allow Zambia to constitutionally function and shine as such.”