Bishops Decry DEC Summons



ZCCB Warns Against Using State Institutions to Silence Church Leaders

By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (3-01-2026) - The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned in the strongest terms the Drug Enforcement Commission’s (DEC) summons of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, describing it as a brazen attempt to intimidate the Church and silence its voice on governance.

ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said in a statement that the Bishops stand in unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Banda, who is scheduled to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the DEC on 5 January 2026. 

The summons, delivered on 31 December 2025, comes amid a wave of public attacks and derogatory remarks against the Archbishop.

The Bishops labelled the DEC action as unmistakably state-sponsored harassment, designed to punish Archbishop Banda for speaking truth to power and holding the government accountable. 

Bishop Chama warned that weaponizing state institutions against a religious leader is a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy and erodes public trust in the rule of law.

“The Church’s prophetic voice cannot and will not be silenced,” the ZCCB said, pointing out that Archbishop Banda’s role is not merely spiritual but also moral, guiding Zambians on justice, truth, and the protection of human dignity. Attempts to intimidate him, the Bishops said, strike at the very conscience of the nation.

The ZCCB further accused the ruling authorities of misusing public institutions to target dissenting voices, warning that such actions are morally reprehensible and politically reckless. 

“Persecuting those who provide oversight on governance is not only wrong—it is an assault on the moral foundation of Zambia,” the statement reads.

As Zambia approaches the 2026 general elections, the Bishops called on Catholics and all people of goodwill to remain vigilant, prayerful, and committed to peace. 

He warned that attempts to bully the Church risk deepening divisions and destabilizing the nation.

The ZCCB concluded by reaffirming full solidarity with Archbishop Banda and urging the government to choose dialogue over intimidation, cautioning that the country cannot afford to let the machinery of the state become a tool of repression.

© 2026. All Rights Reserved.

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