Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka is expected to appear before the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to provide an explanation regarding a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Hilux vehicle, which was reportedly gifted to him by the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government. This summons has generated significant public interest and sparked various reactions across Zambia.

The Lusaka Archdiocese, through its vicar general Andrew Simpasa, called upon Catholics to attend mass and then proceed to the DEC offices in a show of solidarity for the Archbishop. Parishes were also instructed to read a statement from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), which condemned the summons as an attack on the Church. However, DEC Director General Nason Banda had previously warned against individuals bringing ‘irrelevant people’ to the commission’s headquarters during the Archbishop’s appearance.

The summoning has been met with different interpretations. Opposition figures, such as presidential candidate Dr. Fred M’membe of the Socialist Party, alleged that President Hakainde Hichilema is orchestrating the summons to remove Archbishop Banda from his leadership position before the August 13 general election, viewing it as a political survival strategy and an intensified attack on the Catholic Church. Dr. M’membe urged Catholics to pray for the Archbishop and accompany him to the DEC.

Conversely, several voices, including analyst Chilufya Kasonde, Aaron Shamoba, the House of Clergy Zambia, and a consortium of ten civil society organizations, have strongly emphasized that the DEC’s action is a lawful invitation to an individual for questioning, not an arrest of the Archbishop or an attack on the Catholic Church. They argue that in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, no one, including clergy, is above the law. They cautioned against conflating faith with personal accountability and framing a lawful inquiry as “persecution” or a “war against the Catholic Church,” which they deem misleading and inflammatory. They stressed that accountability strengthens public trust and that the Church’s vital role in Zambia is best preserved by upholding integrity and respecting legal processes, rather than by politicizing legal matters.

The House of Clergy Zambia, represented by Rev. Jimmy Ng’ambi, clarified that the matter concerns an individual assisting with inquiries into a specific administrative and legal issue related to a motor vehicle, not the Archbishop's sermons, pastoral advocacy, or stance on governance. They supported the government’s position that investigative institutions must operate independently and without undue pressure, cautioning against political actors turning a legal inquiry into a political or religious standoff.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, reiterated that the matter is strictly between the DEC and Archbishop Banda as an individual, not the Catholic Church. He cited Article 43(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires all citizens to cooperate with law enforcement. Mwiimbu also issued a stern warning against unlawful public gatherings and processions, emphasizing that law and order would prevail, and that political mobilization would not be tolerated. He recalled that President Hichilema himself appeared before the police multiple times while in opposition without mobilizing supporters. The Minister confirmed that the government is open to dialogue with the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops on national issues.

The consortium of civil society organizations further elucidated that legitimate questions arose from court proceedings linked to a former ZRA Commissioner General, where the vehicle in question was allegedly diverted from its intended recipient (a ZRA employee) to the Archbishop. These questions pertain to how ownership changed, who facilitated registration, and the documentation involved. They highlighted that both Zambian law and Catholic canon law require clergy to uphold legal and ethical standards, and that internal canonical processes exist within the Catholic Church for such matters. They urged calm, transparency, and clear communication from the DEC to prevent misunderstandings.

The Zambia Police, through spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, also issued a warning to individuals against causing disorder, citing heightened public interest and social media mobilization. Chilabi affirmed the police’s duty to maintain public safety and order, stating that any actions crossing legal boundaries would result in intervention. He appealed for calm, peace, and law-abiding conduct as DEC investigations continue. This collective sentiment from various entities underscores the importance of allowing due process to unfold, maintaining that no individual, regardless of their esteemed position, is above the law in Zambia’s constitutional framework.