Catholic priest, Mwewa, wants Bishop Kalesha arrested for alleged hate speech; asks Hichilema to publicly denounce him

Father Augustine Mwewa, president of the Local Catholic Clergy in Zambia, has condemned Luanshya clergy Bishop Victor Kalesha for what he described as “hate speech” against priests and bishops during a State House meeting on constitutional reforms.

Mwewa, who serves at Holy Family – Lulamba Parish in Chingola under the Archdiocese of Ndola, issued a statement broadcast by Radio Icengelo in Kitwe on Tuesday, saying Kalesha’s remarks amounted to abuse and attempted intimidation of the Catholic clergy.

Kalesha — of Citygate Church — was captured in a video clip advising President Hakainde Hichilema to ignore “childless” people who are calling for the withdrawal of Bill 7.

In the recording, he said those with no “seed” should not speak on constitutional issues, comments widely interpreted as a swipe at Catholic bishops associated with the Oasis Forum.

Mwewa said such language had no place in a national conversation on constitutional reform.

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He argued that priests had both a moral obligation and a constitutional right to speak out on governance matters.

“I pity Mr. Kalesha, so he is saying all the youths, men and women without children should not speak out? Where does he want to take our prophetic role and human right? So now in Zambia if you have no child you hold no right to speak for the people,” he said.

Mwewa urged President Hichilema to publicly distance himself from the comments made in his presence at State House.

“The President should stand up and denounce remarks by Kalesha. And the President the other day was saying he is ready for dialogue, is that dialogue we are seeing? Such people (Kalesha) must be arrested for hate speech. It is sad that we are being insulted for speaking the truth,” he said.

He maintained that priests would not be silenced by attacks from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and its supporters, adding that the church would continue to engage on governance issues without fear.

Mwewa said the Catholic clergy remained committed to promoting accountability, protecting constitutional integrity and championing the voices of the marginalised — whether they have children or not.

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