By Chiluba Chabi
Armed police officers supported by cadres of the United Party for National Development (UPND) obstructed leaders of the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) from attending Sunday church services across the Copperbelt region. This unprecedented action, orchestrated by President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, has raised alarm over the erosion of democratic principles and religious freedom in Zambia.
On Sunday morning, Sixth Republican President Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu and National Heritage Party (NHP) President Chishala Kateka were initially barred from attending a designated church service. In a testament to the resilience of the clergy and congregants, the two leaders later managed to join a Catholic Church service undetected.
Meanwhile, the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) President Apostle Dan Pule and National Congress Party (NCP) President Peter Chanda faced a more daunting challenge. As they approached Christ the King Church in Kitwe, they were met by a formidable force of over 50 police officers who forcibly escorted them out of the city, denying them their right to worship.
UKA Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota and Zambia Republican Party (ZRP) President Wright Musoma evaded the initial police dragnet, managing to worship at Disciples Fellowship Ministries International (DFMI) in Ndola. However, their reprieve was short-lived as they were later trailed by armed police and UPND cadres.
Christian Freedom (CF) President Harry Kalaba encountered a similarly hostile environment in Chingola. At St. Peter’s and Paul’s Parish, armed UPND cadres surrounded the church, forcing Kalaba to escape through the back and seek refuge at the Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) in Lulamba. Persistent, the cadres followed him there, highlighting the relentless intimidation faced by opposition leaders.
This heavy-handed approach is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern under President Hichilema’s regime. The Zambia Police have repeatedly summoned and arrested clergy critical of the government, disrupting their meetings with opposition figures. Such actions starkly contrast with President Hichilema’s previous stance on the National Day of Prayer and Fasting, which he and his UPND officials disparaged while in opposition.
The implications of these actions are profound and far-reaching. The use of armed police to prevent political leaders from attending church services represents a dangerous encroachment on religious freedom, a cornerstone of Zambia’s democracy. It signals a shift towards authoritarianism, where dissent is not only discouraged but actively suppressed.
For a young democracy like Zambia, these events are a stark reminder of the fragility of civil liberties. The church, historically a sanctuary and a place of solace, is now a battleground where political battles are fought. This assault on the church and its leaders undermines the democratic fabric of the nation, setting a perilous precedent for future governance.
As the international community watches, it is imperative for Zambians to reflect on these developments and their implications for the nation’s democratic trajectory. The actions of June 16th serve as a clarion call to safeguard the freedoms that form the bedrock of our society. In the words of Silavwe Jackson, Chairperson of Communications for UKA, “The heavy-handedness by the Zambia Police of this magnitude towards clergy and the church has never been seen before in the history of Zambia. President Hichilema has once again scored another ‘first.’”
The world waits to see if Zambia will rise to defend its democracy or succumb to the forces of repression that threaten to undo decades of progress.
