Accountability, Not Persecution

Consortium says questions around vehicle ownership must be answered, urges due process in Archbishop case

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

A consortium of ten civil society organisations has insisted that the summoning of the Archbishop of Lusaka by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) is an issue of accountability, not persecution, stating that legitimate questions surrounding the ownership and transfer of a motor vehicle allegedly linked to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) must be answered through due process.

Isaac Mwanza, Consortium Chairperson, told journalists at a media briefing this morning that the DEC summons should not be misconstrued as an attack on the Catholic Church or an attempt to silence its prophetic voice, but rather as a lawful step aimed at establishing facts in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.

Mwanza said the investigation relates to a motor vehicle that allegedly originated from ZRA and was initially intended for a third party, a ZRA employee, but later ended up in the possession of the Archbishop under what he described as unclear and unexplained circumstances.

He noted that information already emerging from related court proceedings indicates that the intended beneficiary of the vehicle was allegedly unaware of the gift, raising serious accountability concerns regarding how the vehicle was transferred, registered, and ultimately came into the Archbishop’s possession.

“These are not questions of persecution but of accountability,” Mwanza said. “Being summoned for questioning is not a declaration of guilt. It is a lawful process meant to clarify facts and establish the truth.”

The consortium criticised public statements by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) that portrayed the summons as persecution of the Church, warning that such framing risks undermining public confidence in investigative institutions and interfering with due process.

While acknowledging the Church’s right to express pastoral solidarity with its Archbishop, Mwanza cautioned that public mobilisation or institutional pressure could be interpreted as attempts to shield an individual from lawful scrutiny.

He emphasised that under Zambian law, no individual is immune from investigation or prosecution by virtue of religious office, noting that the only constitutionally recognised immunity applies to the sitting Republican President.

Mwanza further cited Article 43(1)(f) of the Constitution, which obliges every person to cooperate with lawful investigations conducted by state institutions, including the DEC, while also guaranteeing the presumption of innocence.

The consortium also urged the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops to complement state investigations with internal canonical processes, pointing out that Catholic canon law treats the misappropriation or improper handling of gifts and Church property as a serious offence and provides mechanisms for investigating bishops.

They dismissed claims that the summons signals strained relations between the Church and the State, arguing that lawful engagement between religious leaders and investigative bodies strengthens democracy, accountability, and public trust.

The civil society organisations called on the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue, while urging the DEC to communicate clearly within the limits of the law to prevent misunderstandings.

Mwanza concluded by warning that attempts to exert pressure on investigative institutions risk damaging both the justice system and the moral authority of the Church, stressing that true respect for the law is demonstrated through patience, transparency, and cooperation.

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