The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has summoned Lusaka Catholic Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda for questioning regarding motor vehicles belonging to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), which were allegedly found in his possession after being seized during investigations into illegally disposed government assets. This development, confirmed by DEC Director General Nason Banda, has ignited widespread debate and raised questions about the motivations behind the investigation. A call-out circulating on social media indicated the Archbishop was invited to appear at DEC offices in Lusaka on January 5, 2026, before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit.

In a New Year briefing held in Lusaka, DEC Director General Nason Banda vehemently dismissed claims that the summoning was politically or religiously motivated, emphasizing that the matter should not be viewed through such lenses. He clarified that the decision was a standard procedural step in investigations, not an act of intimidation or persecution. Banda, identifying himself as an active Catholic, reiterated that calling individuals for interviews is a routine process and does not automatically lead to prosecution, expressing hope that the Archbishop would comply without unnecessary escorts, as such call-outs are not meant for public dissemination.

However, critics argue that the DEC's intense focus on a single vehicle—a Toyota Hilux allegedly gifted to the Archbishop during the previous administration—appears disproportionate when juxtaposed against Zambia's severe economic challenges. The 2024 Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Trends Report highlighted an staggering US$3.5 billion, or approximately K81 billion, lost to illicit financial flows in a single year from tax evasion, illegal mining, trade mis-invoicing, and complex corporate schemes. This amount represents nearly 42 percent of the 2025 national budget, underscoring the scale of systemic corruption that dwarfs the value of the assets in question.

The New Dawn administration, which came into power promising transparency and zero tolerance for corruption, has faced scrutiny over its own record. Recent years have been marked by significant scandals, including the ZAMMSA scandal involving 61 containers of medical supplies, which led to the withdrawal of US$50 million in U.S. health aid, yet accountability for senior officials remains largely elusive. Furthermore, public trust in anti-corruption efforts was eroded by the dissolution of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) board in mid-2024, following allegations by a commissioner that the institution had been "captured" to shield high-ranking officials.

Against this backdrop, the summoning of Archbishop Banda, a prominent and outspoken moral critic of governance failures, has been met with considerable skepticism. With Zambia approaching 2026 and heightened political stakes, the Catholic Church stands as one of the few institutions possessing both moral authority and a nationwide infrastructure capable of influencing public opinion. There are concerns that the State's actions could be a narrative strategy, shifting public discourse from the massive US$3.5 billion lost under the current watch to the Archbishop's questioning over assets linked to the previous Patriotic Front (PF) administration, effectively rewriting headlines.

While the DEC insists its mandate is prevention, commentators stress that prevention must be proportional to harm. They argue that addressing the irregular disposal of a few vehicles from a past era does little to mitigate the "category-five hurricane" of economic crises currently afflicting the nation. The critical question posed to the DEC is why the spotlight frequently falls on those who challenge power, while the alleged architects of grand corruption remain in obscurity. This perceived unevenness in enforcement risks transforming accountability into a tool of intimidation rather than justice, failing to convince a skeptical public that the fight against corruption is being waged where it truly matters, such as recovering billions siphoned through illicit networks or stocking empty hospital shelves.

In response to the summoning, Rev. Fr. Augustine Mwewa, President of the Local Catholic Clergy in Zambia, urged Catholics to respond with prayer, unity, and courage. Speaking shortly after the DEC's invitation to Archbishop Banda became public, Fr. Mwewa described the move as "controversial" and a form of "persecution," expressing expectations for further such actions. He accused the current government of initiating a "war against the Catholic Church" and demonstrating intolerance towards divergent views, asserting that criticism from the Church is being met with intimidation.

Fr. Mwewa further criticized the government for failing to deliver on numerous campaign promises, indicating a perceived performance score of only "one or two out of ten." He specifically cited unfulfilled pledges regarding the cost of mealie meal, fertiliser prices, fuel costs, and power supply, along with delayed payments to farmers. The cleric highlighted the disparity between initial promises—such as mealie meal at K50, cheap fertiliser, and an end to load shedding—and the current realities faced by citizens and agricultural cooperatives.

Warning that pressure on the Church is likely to intensify, Fr. Mwewa urged believers to remain spiritually grounded and united. He encouraged Catholics to actively participate in national affairs while maintaining peace and prayerfulness, emphasizing the importance of voters' cards as a means to "fight these people with prayer and unity." He also cautioned that laws, including cyber legislation, might be wielded to silence dissenting voices but implored believers not to retreat, urging them to "speak out against all evils." Furthermore, he called on Church leaders across all denominations to uphold their prophetic mission, resist political compromise, and avoid being "bribed" or selling their "prophetic voice," accusing the government of employing various "mingalato" (tactics) to suppress critical voices and unfulfilled promises.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Archbishop's summoning, the DEC Director General, Nason Banda, also outlined the Commission’s significant operational achievements in 2025, particularly in drug supply reduction and asset recovery. Between January 1 and November 30, 2025, the DEC received 4,638 reports linked to suspected drug-related offences, commencing 4,456 investigations—a 4.7 percent increase from 2024. The Commission recorded an all-time annual record high of over 1,800 tonnes of illegal and controlled drugs seized countrywide in 2025, representing an aggregated increase of over 4,000 percent compared to 2024. This included a massive discovery of more than 1,500 tonnes of cannabis plants in Kafue District. Joint operations also led to the arrest of 4,750 people for drug-related offences, with 911 convictions. Furthermore, the DEC identified and dismantled 102 out of 125 drug cartels. Through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU), assets valued at over K24 million and US$2 million were placed under seizure, 56 motor vehicles were seized (eight forfeited), two helicopters were forfeited to the State and handed to the Zambia Air Force, and 107 properties (83 houses and 24 pieces of land) were seized, contributing significantly to national development.