STOP USING ALTAR TO FIGHT POLITICAL WARS…activist Chilufya Tayali claims Archbishop Banda is leveraging Catholic Church to shield himself from a DEC probe into a gifted State vehicle. By DAVID KANDUZAPOLITICAL activist and leader of the Economic Equity Party (EEP), Chilufya Tayali, has strongly cautioned the Archbishop of the Lusaka Archdiocese, Alick Banda, against abusing […]

STOP USING ALTAR TO FIGHT POLITICAL WARS
…activist Chilufya Tayali claims Archbishop Banda is leveraging Catholic Church to shield himself from a DEC probe into a gifted State vehicle.

By DAVID KANDUZA
POLITICAL activist and leader of the Economic Equity Party (EEP), Chilufya Tayali, has strongly cautioned the Archbishop of the Lusaka Archdiocese, Alick Banda, against abusing the moral authority of the Catholic Church to fight personal political battles against President Hakainde Hichilema.

The fiery remarks come as the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Zambia Police Service formally ordered the cleric to appear for questioning on Monday, September 28, 2026, regarding his controversial possession of a Government-owned vehicle.

According to Mr Tayali, the Archbishop was attempting to turn a routine, individualised criminal investigation into a broader confrontation between the State and the Catholic Church.

“Why can’t Alick Banda be subjected to the same law minus bringing in the church?” Tayali questioned, referencing international precedents where high-ranking Vatican officials have faced accountability in courts of law.
The investigation centres on a blue Toyota Hilux registration number ALF 7734 belonging to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

The law enforcement agencies suspect the vehicle was irregularly disposed of and gifted to the Archbishop Banda during the administration of former President Edgar Lungu.

As tension mounts, the DEC and police issued a stern, joint directive warning members of the public against staging illegal processions, crowds, or demonstrations.

In an official statement, the authorities explicitly mandated that only the Archbishop himself, his legal representatives and persons directly connected to the case will be permitted to enter the DEC premises.

Law enforcement warned the public to refrain from any actions that could breach the peace, clarifying that the matter was strictly a legal asset probe under Section 319 of the Penal Code and not a religious assault.

In response to the fresh legal pressure, the Archdiocese of Lusaka issued a public statement expressing deep concern over the Archbishop’s safety and well-being.

Defying the pressure to minimise the gathering, the Church had called upon the clergy, religious and faithful to gather for a special solidarity Mass at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus at 08:00 hours on Monday.
Following the Mass, the faithful were urged to remain united in prayer as the Archbishop Banda proceeds to the DEC offices at 10:00 hours.

The UPND officials, have echoed Mr Tayali’s sentiments, warning that organising mass mobilisations over personal property investigations risks unnecessarily politicising the justice system.