President Hakainde Hichilema has reassured Catholic Bishops that his government remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the rights of all citizens are respected. During a dialogue meeting with the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) at State House, President Hichilema also issued an apology for the recent misconduct of police officers in Kabwe and the Copperbelt, labeling their actions as unacceptable.
The President informed the Bishops that administrative measures have been implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring. He emphasized that there is no conflict between the Catholic Church and the government, reiterating his administration’s respect for the Church.
President Hichilema called on the Church to partner with the government in addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing drought, which has led to food insecurity in various parts of the country. He briefed the Church on government measures aimed at mitigating the drought’s negative effects and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure food security for the Zambian people.
He also assured the Bishops that solutions to the current energy crisis are forthcoming and highlighted the realignment of the 2024 national budget to prioritize critical areas as part of the drought response strategy.
The ZCCB president, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, along with other Bishops, expressed concerns over the planned by-elections in nine constituencies, suggesting that such elections would strain the national treasury. They also appealed for a clear roadmap on the Constitution-making process and recommended suspending the new education curriculum to allow for broader consultations.
President Hichilema responded by reiterating his opposition to unnecessary by-elections and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the Church as a partner in national development.
The State House Press Office issued a statement following the meeting, highlighting the discussions on various national issues including drought, food and energy security, anti-corruption efforts, human rights, and social justice. President Hichilema expressed gratitude for the Church’s prayers and support in the government’s efforts to build a better Zambia for all.
Not even in KK’s or Lungu’s time have the police stormed into any church and armed with guns. HH must fire Matambo. Ruto has done it in Kenya.
don’t lie. HH was taken out of church in Ndola SDA. you have a short memory. Lung thinks he is clever. he wants to use the church for political milage. he is not going to church to pray. they have been preaching tribalism and polities.
Ba TM give us a date at the place. How can I have a short memory to something I don’t know about?
By the way why are you people so obsessed with tribal talk?
@ Deja Vu, they’re obsessed with tribal talk because they’re the tribalists. The people that have received compensation for political violence or wrongful incarceration hail from one region. Did the Bishops forget to mention Jay Jay Banda?
This is a good move of reconciliation, well done Mr President. Obviously it started with the President calling a Chawama Catholic priest as a joker, then his SG also followed and called a Catholic Bishop as lucifer, a public apology which has not come. Then we saw a full blown raid on churches that hosted PF politicians, this was bad but now a wise move by the President.
@Iwe Sapheka kikikikiki you are being sarcastic ka!
Mr President, please also meet us the Canter and light truck drivers whose money is stolen every day at Police check points. The canter vehicle and light trucks in general are the most harassed vehicles by Police on all Police road blocks in Zambia. These robbers find flimsy offences even those they can just advise. Drivers have to leave money every day, I hope this government realises that this is now a pandemic which cannot be easily stopped because the motivation is money. The ministry of commerce should also come in as this is increasing the cost of doing business in Zambia
YOU ARE SO RIGHT THE POLICE ARE OUT OF CONTROL
HH has i afraid appears to have lost control and shows more interest in trival affairs instead of
CORRUPTION BY POLICE AND ZESCO
They have crafted a new type of road block one that’s mobile.
Guys, these chaps must just fire themselves & leave!!! ZWAAAAAAA!!!! We cannot afford to have rulers without direction. Churches are invaded by police under the instruction of bitter upnd leadership
Guys, these chaps must just fire themselves & leave!!! ZWAAAAAAA!!!!
upnd govt have no respect for anyone.. churches are invade by the police..mmmm
Cry my nation, pipo are in trouble, hh has a big ego, he thinks he knows it all. As far as he is concerned all is well in Zambia… that is wickedness
True rule of law will happen when it doesn’t have to be pronounced as a pledge from the executive head. Where rule of law works it walks the talk! You see it in a fair justice system, and a police that protects its citizens! The current setup is like a stepchild who gets beat up as soon as its biological parent turns a corner.
In the just ended by elections, Upnd thugs have hijacked ballot boxes making it impossible for the ECZ to announce the results. And the police are just watching. Ati Rule of Law.
“Uwakalema Takaleka” all this is rhetoric, all well meaning Zambians know by now that Hakainde is a talk show man. He does not even remember what he said a few minutes later. He has been singing about the rule of law from the opposition time. But what everyone wittinesses now is the complete opposite in all of his previous statements.
God is patient with all of us. Any event that happens under the sun happens in full view of God and He later stands up to act at the right time.
We have taken your maize and you shall eat our promises!! Kkkkkkkk
At least HH meets the aggrieved bishops and addresses his country men and women. He has even apologised to the bishops. ECL would be in state house chilling, sipping on something alcoholic and not giving two Fs. The church should be wiser and not let politicians talk like ECL on the pulpit “I’m a dangerous person, I’m a snake”. Why didn’t the bishops protest against that statement by Lungu or reprimand the priest who allowed Lungu to use his church to spew hatred??? If you hide in the church or hospital, the shelling and bombing will happen regardless….kikiki
Forget ECL. The obsession with past failures will halt your progress. It will drag you into the well of doom
WE NEED A NEW CREDIBLE PARTY TO BE FORMED NOW !!!!!!!!!!!
Zambia’s Police should be independent entity not controlled by politicians and have a disciplinary/investigative committee composed of lawyers,civil society ,religious leaders and maybe one or two foreign observers .This body should have a televised public hearing where rogue officers are exposed and shamed .
That’s the true rule of law , not rule of politicians.