By 
President of the Local Catholic Clergy in Zambia, Rev. Fr. Augustine Mwewa, has called on Catholics to respond with prayer, unity and courage following the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).
The DEC had written to Archbishop Banda, inviting him to appear before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit on January 5, 2026.
Reacting to the development, Fr. Mwewa urged Catholic clergy, religious and the lay faithful not to be intimidated by what he described as a controversial move.
“This persecution was there and it will continue. We expect more. It has been shown that the current Government has started a war against the Catholic Church, but we pray for Archbishop Banda, all the Bishops, priests and the lay faithful,” said Fr. Mwewa of Holy Family Parish in Lulamba, Chingola.
According to an official Radio Icengelo Facebook post dated January 1, 2026, Fr. Mwewa accused the government of intolerance towards divergent views, arguing that criticism was being met with intimidation.
“The Government doesn’t want divergent views because it has not performed as promised. Out of ten, I can give them one or two, but they are claiming that they have performed,” he said.
He cited unfulfilled campaign promises, including the cost of mealie meal, fertiliser prices, fuel costs and power supply, as well as delayed payments to farmers.
“They promised us mealie meal at K50, cheap fertiliser, fuel, no load shedding. Where is FRA to pay farmers? Go to cooperatives and you will find that half of these farmers have not been paid,” Fr. Mwewa said.
The Catholic cleric warned that pressure on the Church was likely to intensify, urging believers to remain spiritually grounded and united.
“The worst is coming. These guys are coming after the Church and they are trying to isolate Bishops, priests and certain leaders,” he said.
He encouraged Catholics to actively participate in national affairs while remaining peaceful and prayerful.
“As Catholics, we need prayers for this country. We need to be on our knees for the nation. As Catholics, we are free to speak out. We also need to take care of our voters’ cards. We can only fight these people with prayer and unity,” Fr. Mwewa said.
He further cautioned that laws, including cyber legislation, could be used to silence dissenting voices but urged believers not to retreat.
“They may use cyber law against you, but speak out against all evils,” he added.
Fr. Mwewa also called on Church leaders across denominations to remain faithful to their prophetic mission and resist political compromise.
“I invite all Church leaders, not only Catholics, do not be bribed. Do not sell your prophetic voice. We have seen some of our pastors and former pastors eating at the feet of the Government while denouncing the Church and praising wrong things,” he said.
He accused the government of employing tactics aimed at silencing critics.
“We will not allow anyone to intimidate us. It is a pity the Government has chosen to declare war against the Catholic Church. The Government has been saying it will be using different mingalato (tactics). This is the mingalato we are seeing,” Fr. Mwewa said.
“They want to suppress any voice that denounces the wrongs or evils they have done and the promises they have failed to fulfil,” he added.
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