By Isaac Zulu
The police have canceled a call out issued to Catholic priest Father Chewe Mukosa following his preaching against lying politicians, loadshedding and poverty among other issues being experienced in the country.
The call out however, received widespread condemnation from individuals and opposition political parties who felt the priest was being intimidated.
CF spokesperson Frank Sichone, in a statement charged that the decision by the Zambia Police to summon Fr Mukosa for speaking out on matters affecting the Zambian populace and arresting of ordinary citizens only pointed to the fact that the UPND administration wanted people to “shut up,” which he said was a manifestation of the government’s dictatorial tendency.
“As Citizens First, we are not even surprised to see a notice from the Police to summon Fr Mukosa for simply telling the truth to his congregants. We are not surprised because we already warned Zambians that we are now getting into a dictatorship and what we are seeing now where priests and citizens are told to shut up is simply the manifestation of this dictatorship government of the UPND,” Sichone stated. “We urge the Church and citizens not to be intimidated by those in government who have terribly failed, but instead stand for the truth and defend our freedoms that our forefathers fought for. The Church and all of us must stand together with Fr Mukosa and speak the truth.”
Sichone stated that the Zambia Police should have engaged the Church mother body, instead of summoning Fr Mukosa.
Sichone stated that what the Police should have done was to advise those who were sending them to do this illegality to follow the right channel to engage the Church through its mother body than unleashing them on innocent citizens for simply expressing themselves.
He reminded the Zambia Police that politicians come and go, further urging them to exhibit professionalism in the execution of their duties.
And Kanchibiya member of Parliament Sunday Chanda also condemned the move and wondered if the police would now summon every priest who spoke.
Chanda said this was totally uncalled for.
” Let me also point out that the Church is the conscience of the nation. In a nation said to be Christian, is this what you can do to clergy holding different views? So if all priests start to preach in similar manner, will you summon and arrest them all?” He asked.
“Sadly it is this type of zeal that’s brought down many African governments and no one seems to learn. To the Police – This excitement is uncalled for and extremely careless. Learn from the past including those who have gone before you and become wiser.”
Chanda stated that it was a no brainer to arrest the priest and the court of public opinion would side with the priest for he committed no offence at all, adding that,” We have real criminals the Police must be pursuing and not the clergy.”
He stated that 60 years after Independence, such must not even grace the headlines of the media outlets at all pleading with the police not not gag divergent views.
But police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga urged Fr Mukosa not to report himself to the police.
“The Zambia Police Service issues this message to Father Chewe Mukosa, in response to the recent call-out issued to him by the Copperbelt Division.
We urge him not to report to the Copperbelt Division as per the call-out issued to him,” he stated. “After reassessment of the situation, it has been determined that there is no need for his immediate appearance or involvement in any ongoing investigations or inquiries.”
Hamoonga stated that Fr Mukosa was summoned by the police to provide a statement regarding remarks made during a religious gathering, which was deemed to potentially constitute hate speech.
He reminded the public that Zambia Police had a legal mandate to investigate all forms of criminal activity, regardless of where they occured.
Hamoonga stated that it was imperative for all individuals to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in such matters and urged the public to observe the law.
“We urge the public to uphold the principles of lawfulness and respect for one another as they go about their daily activities. Hate speech and any form of incitement to violence have no place in our society, and those found culpable will be held accountable under the law,” he stated.
Hamoonga stated that the decision had been made after careful consideration and in the best interest of all parties involved.
He stated that should there be any further developments or if his cooperation was required in the future, he would be duly informed.
“We appreciate his cooperation and compliance with this directive. Together, we can continue to uphold peace and security within our country,” Hamoonga stated.
On Saturday police in Ndola summoned Fr Mukosa to the police.
The call out was signed by deputy Inspector, P. Chisala, who demanded that the priest reports himself to Investigations Office Room 55 at Copperbelt Division Headquarters in Ndola.
