Political and religious tensions escalated significantly on Sunday in Lusaka as opposition leaders, senior figures from the Patriotic Front (PF), and Catholic faithful converged at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus. This gathering was ostensibly for prayers ahead of Archbishop Alick Banda’s scheduled appearance before the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) on Monday, January 5, 2026. However, it also served as a powerful display of solidarity with the Lusaka Archbishop.

Archbishop Banda has been summoned by the DEC’s Anti–Money Laundering Investigations Unit in connection with the alleged irregular disposal of a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Toyota Hilux. This vehicle was reportedly gifted to him during the previous PF administration. The DEC Director General, Nason Banda, clarified that the Archbishop’s name surfaced during court proceedings related to illegally disposed state assets, and the vehicle in question is currently in DEC custody.

The Lusaka Archdiocese had earlier issued internal guidance, instructing Catholics to attend a solidarity mass at 08:00 hours on Monday before proceeding to the DEC offices. This directive, signed by Vicar General Fr Andrew Simpasa, also mandated all Lusaka parishes to read a statement from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops during Sunday masses. The bishops’ statement strongly characterized the summons as an attempt to “suppress the Church’s prophetic voice,” further fueling the controversy.

The presence of opposition figures, including PF leaders and allied parties, at the cathedral prayers underscored the political dimension of the situation. Social media campaigns by opposition leaders framed the summons as persecution, with calls for Catholics to escort Archbishop Banda to the DEC gaining considerable online traction, sparking concerns about a potential public procession.

In response, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu moved swiftly to clarify the government’s position. During a press briefing, Mr. Mwiimbu stressed that the DEC’s action was “lawful, routine, and not political.” He emphasized that the summons did not imply guilt and applied to Archbishop Banda strictly “in his personal capacity,” not as a representative of the Catholic Church. “No one is above the law,” Mwiimbu asserted, warning that any public gathering or procession not officially notified to the police would contravene the Public Order Act. He cautioned political actors and clerics against mobilizing crowds around a law enforcement process, describing such actions as potentially illegal. The Minister highlighted Zambia's long tradition of senior public figures, including Presidents and religious leaders, appearing before investigative agencies without claims of persecution. He assured that police would only provide security to maintain peace and order, without interfering with prayer meetings.

Public opinion remained sharply divided as night fell. Supporters of Archbishop Banda viewed the summons as a direct attack on the Catholic Church, while others argued for the essential separation of faith from personal accountability to uphold the rule of law. This standoff has placed church–state relations under intense scrutiny, with Monday's appearance poised to test both public order and political restraint.

Despite the heightened tensions, the government signaled an opening for de-escalation. Minister Mwiimbu disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema had received a request for dialogue from Catholic bishops and had welcomed the engagement, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to dialogue on matters of national interest. Monday morning is now anticipated as a critical juncture, where the unfolding events will determine whether the situation remains peaceful, as authorities insist, or escalates into confrontation, depending on how political actors and church leaders navigate the delicate balance between prayer, protest, and the law.