State House has rejected parts of a pastoral statement by the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, saying some passages closely resemble opposition narratives and risk conveying an impression of national crisis. In a press release issued in Lusaka today 1st October 2026 by Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, the Presidency responded point by point to the bishops’ statement of 30 September, while acknowledging the Church’s pastoral responsibility and its enduring contribution to national life.

State House said the statement gave insufficient recognition to the democratic mandate expressed through the ballot, and that claims of ethnic manipulation, widespread fear and narrowing democratic space required specific evidence and substantiation. It said concerns alone cannot invalidate the citizens’ democratic decision, and that electoral grievances should be examined through the appropriate institutions, supported by evidence.

On arrests and access to justice, State House said lawful accountability must be distinguished from political persecution, noting that an arrest establishes neither guilt nor persecution, irrespective of the accused person’s political or religious standing. It said allegations of unlawful detention or abuse must be investigated individually, and that lawful arrests should not be recast as abductions.

The Presidency vehemently rejected what it described as a characterisation of Zambia as a country at war or under pervasive military control, arising from the statement’s combined references to military personnel, violence and insecurity. It welcomed the bishops’ appeal for dialogue, but said any dialogue must respect the electoral verdict.

“The Church’s pastoral strength lies in being a shepherd who leads the flock from the front through example, truth and compassion, rather than one who flogs the sheep into line through fear or pressure,” State House said.

The Presidency also raised concern over the timing of the statement, saying its proximity to court proceedings involving a prominent member of the clergy raised a sensitive question about its possible effect on public opinion. It said timing alone established no intention to influence proceedings, but warned that portraying pervasive fear and institutional failure could inflame public sentiment around a matter requiring independent determination. State House said the accused person’s dignity, presumption of innocence and right to a fair hearing must be protected, while investigators, prosecutors and the courts must discharge their responsibilities without interference. It described the bishops’ proposals on civic education, institutional accountability and reconciliation as useful ground for cooperation, provided they rest on verified facts and respect for institutional independence.

The full statement follows below.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
STATE HOUSE
PRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 1st October, 2026, Lusaka.

RESPONSE TO THE ZCCB PASTORAL STATEMENT OF 30 SEPTEMBER, 2026

State House respects the pastoral responsibility of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Church’s enduring contribution to national life. In that spirit, we offer a respectful but candid response, following the sequence of their statement.

The Bishops’ stated intention to avoid partisan alignment is welcome. Nevertheless, some passages closely resemble opposition narratives and, taken together, risk conveying an impression of national crisis while giving insufficient recognition to the democratic mandate expressed through the ballot.

On political polarisation and ethnicity, we reject tribalism in all its forms. Claims of increasing ethnic manipulation, however, require specific evidence and a clear comparative basis. Without these, they risk deepening the mistrust the statement seeks to address.

References to widespread fear and narrowing democratic space similarly require substantiation. Individual concerns deserve attention, but should not automatically become a description of the entire nation. Repeated references to fear and anxiety risk reinforcing an impression of crisis without adequately establishing its scale or causes. Public communication must neither inflame people’s emotions nor exploit their anxieties to steer them towards a political conclusion.

On elections, concerns alone cannot invalidate the citizens’ democratic decision. Electoral grievances deserve examination through the appropriate institutions, supported by evidence. Broad doubts about credibility, without identifying material failures and their effect on the outcome, risk delegitimising voters’ choices.

On access to justice, opposition participation and arrests, lawful accountability must be distinguished from political persecution. An arrest establishes neither guilt nor persecution, irrespective of the accused person’s political or religious standing. Allegations of unlawful detention or abuse must be investigated individually. Lawful arrests should not be recast as abductions.

Constitutional questions should be addressed through established constitutional and legal processes. The combined references to military personnel, violence and insecurity risk suggesting a country at war or under pervasive military control. State House vehemently rejects that characterisation.

We share the statement’s Christian principles of dignity, justice, truth and peace. Its appeal for dialogue is welcome, but dialogue must respect the electoral verdict. Citizens have spoken through the ballot; further engagement should strengthen national cooperation while respecting their decision and lawful avenues for resolving disputes.

The proposals on civic education, institutional accountability and reconciliation provide useful ground for cooperation. Their pursuit should rest on verified facts and respect for institutional independence.

Finally, the statement’s proximity to court proceedings involving a prominent member of the clergy raises a sensitive concern about its possible effect on public opinion. Timing alone establishes no intention to influence proceedings. Nevertheless, portraying pervasive fear and institutional failure could inflame public sentiment and generate pressure around a matter requiring independent determination.

The accused person’s dignity, presumption of innocence and right to a fair hearing must be protected. Equally, investigators, prosecutors and the courts must discharge their responsibilities without interference.

The Church’s pastoral strength lies in being a shepherd who leads the flock from the front through example, truth and compassion, rather than one who flogs the sheep into line through fear or pressure. Its voice should calm emotions, encourage independent judgement and guide citizens towards peace.

Our shared duty is to inspire hope through truthful, proportionate language, respect the citizens’ democratic mandate and uphold equal justice for all.

Issued By:

Clayson Hamasaka
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
STATE HOUSE

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