The Editor Zambia
The desperate claims and insinuations being peddled by the opposition Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance and their surrogates that the government is fighting the Catholic Church over the arrest of Archbishop Alick Banda must be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.
This is a cheap, dangerous, and calculated attempt to drag the Catholic Church into a purely personal legal matter. These are well calculated manoeuvres aimed at interfering and planting fear in the justice system. 
This lawlessness must not be allowed. No one is above the law in Zambia, whether you are a politician, regardless of one’s status in society.
Those who truly love the Catholic Church should be the first to protect the delimitation from being dragged into personal legal battles.
The Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance should know that Archbishop Alick Banda was not arrested as Archbishop. He was not arrested as the leader of the Catholic Church. He was arrested for being in possession of a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) vehicle under illegal and unclear circumstances.
Archbishop Banda is being dealt with as an individual. He is appearing before the law like any other citizen. To try and turn his personal issues into a Catholic Church-versus the State – is dishonest and mischievous.
The Catholic Church, as an institution, has not been accused, arrested, or harassed by anyone.
The Church continues to operate freely, worship freely, and partner with the government in national development as it has always done.
Those trying to create a picture of persecution are deliberately lying to incite the faithful and cause unnecessary tension in the country.
Zambians must condemn in the strongest terms this habit of politicising every law enforcement action by State institutions.
Zambians should question the motive behind these insinuations
Whenever a politician is arrested, they claim democracy is under threat. When a clergyman has a case to answer, they cry that the Church is under attack.
This lawlessness must not be allowed. No one is above the law in Zambia, whether you are a politician, a bishop, or an ordinary citizen.
Those who truly love the Catholic Church should be the first to protect it from being dragged into personal legal battles.
Using the pulpit and the name of the Church as a shield against accountability is an insult to the millions of faithful Catholics who believe in truth, justice, and integrity.
The government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, has demonstrated utmost respect for the Church and freedom of worship.
The government will not allow criminality and personal wrongdoing to be hidden behind the veil of religion.
The law should be allowed to take its course without blackmail, without sensationalism and without politicisation.
