Editor Zambia

11/08/2026

We will continue investing in Education and expand bursaries- HH

11/08/2026

Reclaiming the Salt: An Urgent Call for the Zambian Catholic Church to Stand Above the Fray.

By CIC

The Archdiocese of Lusaka stands at a critical historical crossroads just a day before the August 13, 2026 General Election. Long revered as Zambia’s unyielding moral compass, the Catholic Church risks compromising its sacred legacy by blurring the lines between spiritual devotion and partisan optics.

The recent controversy surrounding the Marian Shrine in Chelstone where a planned candlelight prayer service on the eve of the polls drew immediate petition from the United Party for National Development (UPND) to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is a stark reminder of what happens when the church compromises its neutrality.

When religious symbols mirror political campaign logos, the salt loses its savor. It is time for the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) to pull the clergy back to their true foundations.

Compounding this crisis is a growing internal disconnect:, many priests within the Zambian Catholic Church seem entirely disinterested in what is happening within their own institution today. While the hierarchy engages in high stakes political maneuvers, a significant portion of the clergy has become detached from the core administrative and spiritual realities facing the modern church.

Apathy among local priests leaves parish communities without strong, cohesive leadership. When priests switch off from institutional affairs, they fail to hold leadership accountable to the Gospel.

This indifference allows the church's public image to be hijacked by political theater rather than guided by a united pastoral vision.

The primary authority of the Church lies in its absolute separation from partisan machinery. Launching nationwide "candlelight prayers for peace" on the literal eve of a highly tense election where a candle or lamp happens to double as a political party symbol is a profound misstep in local context.

Whether intentional or accidental, it creates unnecessary political theater. By leaning into actions that trigger partisan pushback and polarize the flock, the hierarchy risks a dangerous role reversal, the Bishops are beginning to follow the volatile emotions of the political season rather than anchoring their people in objective gospel truth.

If the Catholic Church is to remain an effective arbiter of peace, it cannot afford even the perception of bias. The pulpit must never be exploited as a proxy campaign platform or used to agitate electoral tensions.

The Catholic Church’s voice carries weight only when it defends the poor and condemns political violence uniformly, regardless of who holds power at State House. Clergy must focus on de-escalation, electoral integrity, and spiritual stewardship rather than hosting events that invite secular.

Zambia does not need its spiritual shepherds to behave like a parallel political opposition, nor can it afford a clergy that stands by in passive indifference. To safeguard the nation's fragile peace and retain its historic moral authority, the Catholic Bishops must actively distance its sacred rituals from the immediate battleground of the ballot box and re-engage its internal priesthood.

The Church belongs to all Zambians both ruling party and opposition alike. The salt must be reclaimed, and it can only happen if both the Bishops and their priests rise entirely above the partisan fray, casting light from the heavens rather than lighting fires in the trenches.

The Vatican’s stance on politics is simple: the Church must never be a partisan player, but it can never be a silent bystander. By banning clergy from political office and refusing to endorse specific parties, the Vatican protects its moral authority from the compromises of partisan warfare. It recognizes that when the Church ties itself to a single political flag, it compromises its universal mission. However, political neutrality does not mean moral neutrality. The Vatican expects lay Catholics to enter the political arena to advocate for human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and pursue the common good. The Church’s role is not to govern, but to act as a moral compass—insisting that laws and policies be judged by how they treat the least among us.
One Zambia, One Nation.

Emmanuel Chiluba Chanda a concerned Catholic.



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By CIC The Archdiocese of Lusaka stands at a critical historical crossroads just days before the August 13,…

10/08/2026

ANOTHER STAGE-MANAGED ATTACK LOOMING IN SOUTHERN PROVINCE , THIS TIME WITH GARY AS AN ENDORSEMENT SCHEME PARTICIPANT

A scheme has been unearthed in which NRPUP have planned a stage-managed violent attack by way of planting thugs posing as UPND members in UPND regalia in Southern Province .

At this function, it is planned that a retired politician Gary Nkombo will endorse a non-salable Mundubile .

During the endorsement, Gary will project President Hakainde Hichilema in bad light .

As revealed by the Media Team last week , NRPUP
have schemed to stage-manage another attack in Choma or any other part of Southern Province then blame it on one of the unopposed UPND MP.

You may recall that we published that NRPUP schemed to use stage-managed attacks in Lusaka , Copperbelt , Central , Western , Northwestern , Northern , Eastern and Southern Provinces then blame them on UPND .

These attacks calculated and won’t be on any person from the NRPUP circles but they have planned that the persons to be attacked by Tonse cadres posing as UPND members will be those from the community and other hired performers .

This evil strategy was used by PF against UPND in 2014/15/16/17/18/19 /20 and this made UPND to campaign without regalia .

It was first implemented by MMD when Micheal Sata was in opposition ; at that time Mr Sata dismissed the agenda that it was difficult to accuse it on PF because PF had no membership cards as such it was difficult to know whether such alleged persons were indeed PF.

Be warned that Tonse/ PF is a criminal organization . On 13th August , we are retiring them from politics.

We call upon the residents of Southern , Lusaka , Central , Copperbelt , Northern , Eastern , and western communities to be vigilant or where possible even stay away , as the target of attacks are either the community or those non Tonse members .

Tonse has realized that defeat is imminent and that winning an election is far-fetched. They now want punish citizens through cooked violence then blame it on UPND.

As an institution mandated by law to protect citizens , Police must be on guard to ensure public property and life are protected .

UPND MEDIA TEAM



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A scheme has been unearthed in which NRPUP have planned a stage-managed violent attack by way of planting…

10/08/2026

BRIAN MUNDUBILE’S SUPPORT OF MPUNDU’S “I WILL KILL” STATEMENT IS A SIGN OF COMPLICITY

The Editor Zambia

Former Nkana Member of Parliament and Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance presidential official Binwell Mpundu has drawn widespread condemnation following a video circulating on social media in which he declared that he was prepared “to kill and be killed” ahead of Zambia’s August 13 general election.

The statement is disturbing in its own right, but it also raises a much bigger question: what kind of political culture exists within the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance that such language can be uttered by one of its senior figures at a critical moment in the electoral process?

Mpundu works within the Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance presidential office, making his remarks particularly significant because he is not simply an ordinary supporter speaking in isolation.

His position within the presidential campaign structure means that the alliance leadership, especially presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu, are accomplices to such a treasonous statement.

It is clear that the Mundubile, Zulu duo, and the entire alliance leadership discussed and approved Mpundu’s statement before it was released to the public.

Mundubile, as the alliance's presidential candidate, carries the greatest responsibility for setting the tone of his campaign.

Leadership is not only about celebrating supporters when things are going well; it is also about disciplining those within one's political structure when they cross the line.

Here, the two gentlemen, Monsieur Mundubile and Monsieur Zulu, are squarely responsible for the ‘I will kill statement from their lieutenant Binwel Mpundu.

The statement has understandably attracted condemnation from civic actors and members of the public. A formal complaint has also reportedly been made to law-enforcement authorities, while police have taken an interest in the matter.

This is because the statement constitutes an offence under Zambian law, meaning appropriate authorities should summon Mpundu and the entire Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance top leadership, including Mundubile and Makebi Zulu.

The controversy is particularly troubling because several actors within the Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance have political roots in the former Patriotic Front (PF).

Zambia's experience under the PF was frequently marred by political violence, intimidation, and the activities of party cadres. The emergence of a new alliance cannot automatically erase the political culture associated with its constituent actors.

Changing a party name, adopting new colours, or forming a new political coalition does not constitute political transformation unless there is also a genuine rejection of violence and intimidation.
That is why Mpundu's statement with the approval from Mundubile and Makebi Zulu should not simply be dismissed as an unfortunate political outburst.

The fact that Mundubile and Makebi Zulu have not made their position unmistakably clear by condemning the language of killing, rejecting political violence or holding any campaign officials and supporters accountable is testimony of the duo’s approval of Mpundu’s statement. These are reasonable questions for voters to ask.

Elections are contests for public confidence, not battles for physical survival. Political parties like the UPND that believe they have the support of the people have confidence in the ballot box rather than the threat of force, as Tonse- Pamodzi Alliance leaders are doing.
No political ambition is worth the life of a Zambian. No presidential campaign should encourage supporters to believe that killing or being killed is an acceptable price for political power.

As Zambia approaches August 13, the country needs politicians like President Hakainde Hichilema, who can persuade rather than intimidate, mobilise rather than threaten, and compete rather than destroy.

The ballot box must remain stronger than the panga.



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https://theeditorzambia.com/2026/08/10/brian-mundubiles-support-of-mpundus-i-will-kill-statement-is-a-sign-of-complicity/

10/08/2026

ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA HATES PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA WITH PASSION.

The Editor Zambia

The malicious, provocative and misplaced decision by Archbishop Alick Banda to bless NRPUP/ Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu ahead of Thursday’s general election has understandably raised questions about his toxic hatred for President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government.

It is a well-known fact to many Zambians that Archbishop Banda supported the Patriotic Front (PF), and the high priest benefitted from the PF government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

It is not a surprise that Archbishop Banda is now supporting the reincarnation of the PF, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, hopping Brian Mundubile, and Makebi Zulu will win next week's elections¹.

The clergyman is also an alarmist who would like to see the country on fire because of his divisive, irresponsible, and hateful rantings.

His inherent favour for certain regions of Zambia against others is as toxic as his personal hatred for President Hichilema, which he shamelessly manifests using the Catholic Church podium.

While a church leader is entitled to meet politicians from across the political divide, the difficulty arises when such engagements are done by a brazen clergyman with a long record of outspoken criticism of President Hichilema and the UPND Government.

Archbishop Banda has made strong statements accusing the presidency of “playing with fire”, questioning aspects of the constitutional reform process and warning about alleged threats to democracy.

Against that background, the public sight of senior opposition figures receiving electoral blessing from such clergyman is a clear sign of a church moving beyond pastoral engagement and into the political contest itself.

Alick Banda is giving the Catholic Church a bad name. He seems to have personal issues against President Hichilema.

The Lusaka diocese's political interventions are anarchic because they are clearly promoting regional, tribal and personal agendas, all birthed individually by Archbishop Alick Banda.

Zambians must therefore be careful whenever religious authority like the Archbishop Alick Bandas of this world divide citizens along political, regional, or tribal lines.

A senior Catholic cleric like Archbishop Alick Banda has an enormous platform and moral influence, though that influence should unite the country rather than deepen political hostility.

It would be particularly unfortunate if Archbishop Banda's personal differences with President Hichilema were allowed to become confused with the position of the Catholic Church.

If the Archbishop has personal political disagreements with President Hichilema, he should not, in the process, create the impression that the Catholic Church itself has become an instrument for settling personal political scores.

The Catholic Church belongs to all Zambians who follow its teachings. It is not the property of the UPND, NRPUP, PF, Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, or any other political organisation.

The sight of Archbishop Banda blessing opposition leaders immediately before an election, therefore, deserves careful scrutiny because the action is being done by a politician/clergyman who has been hostile to President Hichilema.

One need not claim that a modern church leader is equivalent to a medieval pope. The historical circumstances are entirely different. Nevertheless, history provides useful lessons about the consequences when religious authority becomes entangled with political interests.

In 1452, Pope Nicholas V issued Dum Diversas, a papal bull that authorised the Portuguese monarchy to conquer and subjugate certain non-Christian peoples.

The historical episode illustrates how religious authority, when intertwined with political power, can be invoked to legitimise deeply harmful political projects.

The lesson for Zambia is not that today's Catholic clergy support such practices. They plainly do not. The lesson is that religious authority must always be exercised with great care, particularly when political passions are running high.

That is why Archbishop Banda should be held to the highest standard. The Church should be a moral referee, not a political player. Its responsibility is to promote peace, truth, reconciliation, justice, and democratic participation—not to appear to confer ecclesiastical favour on one political camp while relentlessly condemning another.

There is also a serious danger in political rhetoric that appears to encourage hatred. Zambia has 73 tribes and numerous regional identities, but these differences have historically coexisted within one nation.

Any political or religious figure who appears to encourage tribal, regional, or sectarian antagonism risks undermining one of the country's greatest achievements: peaceful coexistence.

The credibility of the Church depends not merely on the strength of its statements but on the fairness with which its principles are applied.

Archbishop Banda should, therefore, stop using his position within the Church by dividing Zambians to satisfy personal political hostility towards President Hichilema.

At this critical moment in Zambia's democratic history, the country does not need a hateful or divisive clergy like Archbishop Alick Banda.
It needs religious leaders who can cool political temperatures, reconcile citizens, and remind politicians that power is temporary while the nation belongs to everyone.

The Catholic Church must remain a church for all its faithful, and Archbishop Banda, precisely because of the authority of his office, has a responsibility to ensure that his personal political opinions do not become confused with the voice of the Church.

At the moment, Archbishop Banda is dragging the whole church into his cheap politicking and personal battles.



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The Editor Zambia The malicious, provocative and misplaced decision by Archbishop Alick Banda to bless NRPUP/ Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance…

10/08/2026

CATHOLIC BISHOPS PUSH BACK ON ALICK BANDA’S “CANDLELIGHT” MASS

A number of Catholic Bishops have opposed the planned “candlelight” prayer service by Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, calling it divisive and politically charged ahead of the August 13 elections.

The Bishops, who requested anonymity, say the event risks dragging the Church into partisan politics — against Catholic tradition and canon law.

“We shepherd people from all political parties in our parishes. To be seen holding a mass that promotes a certain agenda is contrary to Catholic teaching,” one Bishop stated.

Concerns Raised to ZCCB
In a letter dated 5th August, 2026 to the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, concerned Catholics warned that the candle symbol could be misinterpreted.

“Given that a named political party has adopted light as its official symbol, the public may perceive this event as an endorsement — even if unintended,” the letter reads.

The writers urged Church leadership to clearly state the prayer is not an endorsement of any party or candidate, to protect the Church’s role as a neutral, unifying institution.

They reaffirmed support for the Church’s role in praying for peace, unity, and a free and fair election.

See letter below written to the President of the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Chama:

5th August, 2026

The President
Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB)
Catholic Secretariat
Plot BRT 60 Kabulonga Road
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA



SUBJECT: CONCERN REGARDING PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF POLITICAL ASSOCIATION DURING PRE-ELECTION PRAYER ACTIVITIES

Your Grace,

We write as concerned Catholics who deeply appreciates the important role that the Church continues to play in providing pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and moral leadership to all people, especially during significant national moments such as the forthcoming General Election.

We hold in high esteem the Church's tireless efforts in promoting the common good, peace, reconciliation, and ethical values within our society. The Church has consistently served as a moral compass, encouraging citizens to uphold truth, justice, unity, and respect for human dignity.

We also recognize that the symbol of light or a lamp carries profound meaning within the Christian faith. It represents faith, hope, the light of Christ, and the presence of God among His people. Within the Catholic tradition, light is a powerful symbol of God's guidance and the call for believers to walk in truth and righteousness.

However, as a concerned member of the Christian community, we wish to respectfully raise a concern regarding the forthcoming pre-election candlelight prayers for peace organized by the Archdiocese of Lusaka. Given that a named political party has adopted the symbol of light as its official symbol, there is a possibility that some members of the public may perceive the event as being connected to, or endorsing, that political party, even if this is not the intention of the Church or its leaders.

Such perceptions, whether intended or unintended, have the potential to create misunderstanding during a sensitive electoral period. The Church has always stood as a unifying institution that welcomes and provides guidance to all citizens regardless of their political affiliation.

In the interest of maintaining the Church's valued position as a neutral and unifying institution and ensuring that it continues to play its important role in promoting peace, integrity, fairness, and confidence in the electoral process, we respectfully request that the Church leadership clearly communicate that the candlelight prayer is not an endorsement of any political party or candidate.

Such clarification would reassure the faithful and the general public that the activity is purely a pastoral initiative aimed at praying for peace, unity, justice, and the well-being of the nation, while preserving the credibility and impartiality of the Church during this important period.

As Christians and citizens, we remain committed to working together with the Church and all stakeholders in protecting the peace, unity, and stability that Zambia has enjoyed since Independence.

Thank you for your continued service, leadership, and guidance.

Yours faithfully,

A number of Catholic Bishops have opposed the planned “candlelight” prayer service by Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, calling…

08/08/2026

NRPUP cadres set Omega Church Ministries on fire

Omega Church ministries in Chalala was in the early hours of Monday set ablaze by NRPUP cadres on instructions from Kabwata aspiring MP Danny Yenga.

Police sources confirmed that the church had hosted Kabwata UPND aspiring MP Andrew Tayengwa during a prayer session on Sunday.

Danny Yenga and his cadres called it revenge for what they claimed was an attack on their camp in Kabwata recently.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and investigations and details will soon be availed to the public.



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https://theeditorzambia.com/2026/08/08/nrpup-cadres-set-omega-church-ministries-on-fire/

07/08/2026

Police intercept Tonse Alliance Vehicle found with 37 UPND t-shirts and 16 pangas. People on board have been arrested.

07/08/2026

CANDLELIGHT PRAYERS DESERVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION

The Editor Zambia

As Zambia enters the final days before the August 13 General Election, every public event, symbol, and message is likely to be viewed through a political lens.

In such a highly charged atmosphere, the concerns raised by United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General Batuke Imenda over the proposed candlelight prayer programme scheduled for August 12 deserve careful consideration rather than outright dismissal.

Imenda's appeal is not an attack on prayer or the Church. Rather, it is a caution against staging an event that could unintentionally carry political symbolism on the eve of one of the country's most important democratic exercises.

The issue lies in the fact that both candles and lamps are not neutral objects in the context of the 2026 elections. They are official electoral symbols assigned to candidates participating in the election.

The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), led by presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, uses the lamp as its official ballot symbol.

Some independent parliamentary candidates likewise campaigns under the candle symbol following a High Court ruling allowing them to retain it.

Political parties spend months encouraging voters to identify them through their ballot symbols, particularly in communities where visual identification plays an important role.

These symbols become central to campaign messaging, appearing on posters, billboards, campaign materials, and public rallies.

Consequently, any large public gathering centred around those same symbols immediately before polling day is capable of creating unintended political associations.

This is precisely the concern Imenda has articulated.

Even if organisers sincerely intend the event to be purely spiritual, perception matters in politics. Elections are judged not only on whether they are free and fair but also on whether they are perceived to be free and fair by all participants.

The timing is equally significant. The prayer programme is scheduled for August 12, only hours before voting begins nationwide.

During this sensitive period, Zambia traditionally expects political actors and public institutions to exercise maximum restraint to avoid actions that could influence voters or generate unnecessary controversy.

Symbols have always carried powerful meanings in politics. Around the world, colours, flowers, animals, clothing, and everyday objects become permanently associated with political parties.

Once that association exists, their public use during election periods inevitably attracts scrutiny.

Imenda has also raised legitimate concerns about public order. A candlelight gathering could easily attract supporters of parties whose campaign identities revolve around candles or lamps.

Such attendance, whether organised or spontaneous, could transform a religious gathering into what appears to be a political procession, creating tensions that nobody desires on the eve of voting.

Zambia has worked hard to promote peaceful elections despite isolated incidents of political violence witnessed during the campaign period.

Both political leaders and religious institutions, therefore, carry a shared responsibility to avoid situations that may unintentionally increase political suspicion or misunderstanding.

Importantly, Imenda has not argued against prayers for peace themselves. Prayer has always played an important role in Zambia's national life, and churches continue to provide moral leadership during periods of national significance.

The question is whether a candlelight format, employing symbols that are officially linked to contestants on the ballot, is the most appropriate expression of that prayer at this particular moment.

Alternative forms of national prayer that avoid potentially partisan imagery could achieve exactly the same spiritual objectives while eliminating unnecessary political controversy.

Such an approach would help preserve both the integrity of the prayer event and public confidence in the neutrality of religious institutions during the electoral process.

Ultimately, democratic elections depend upon public trust. That trust is strengthened when organisers of public events recognise how easily symbolism can be interpreted during an election campaign.


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The Editor Zambia As Zambia enters the final days before the August 13 General Election, every public event,…

07/08/2026

Viewer Discretion Advised!!!

This is Guntila Muleya, Former IBA Director General, shot by Caleb Zulu, brother to Makebi Zulu for ordering an audit into corruption at IBA from 2016 to 2021.