Chief Chamuka of the Lenje speaking people of Chisamba district in Central province says the best way to fight Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases in the country is through spiritual counselling because perpetrators behave in a manner that is beyond human understanding.

And Religious Affairs and National Guidance Minister, Reverend Godfridah Sumaili says promoting the establishment of chaplaincy in the chiefdom is in line with her ministry’s mandate of actualising the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

Speaking at his palace during the induction ceremony of Apostle Benasho Kabwe, of Power Harvest Full Gospel Ministries, as chaplain, Chief Chamuka lamented that the cases recorded on sexual violence and defilement were so alarming.

He said the increase in GBV cases in the chiefdom required a different approach because arresting perpetrators only has not helped to transform the minds of offenders.

Referring to some cases of defilement, Chief Chamuka said some people in the nation were behaving in a manner that defied human understanding.

“We have a lot of issues mostly to do with gender based violence. Chiefs alone cannot manage to fight this vice. I feel we need the presence of a man of God at the palace, so that as a chief I can be drawing wisdom from him. The setting up of the office of the chaplaincy will help in the fight against gender based violence. The arrest of perpetrators of gender based violence is usually given priority. But I think arrests of culprits should take second priority. What we need to do is to cherish spiritual counselling because the perpetrators of SGBV usually act in a manner that is beyond understanding,” Chief Chamuka said.

The chief reiterated that if spiritual counselling was given priority in the lives of offenders, everything else would fall in their rightful place.

“We want this chiefdom and Zambia as whole to be violent free and I feel the word of God is the best tool that can refine everything,” he said.

And Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance, Reverend Godfridah Sumaili said the promoting the establishment of chaplaincy in the chiefdom was in line with her ministry’s mandate of actualising the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

She challenged other traditional leaders to emulate Chief Chamuka in speaking against the evils of early marriages and other GBV related cases.

“What is happening here must be a model to other chiefdoms. It is my hope that all traditional leaders in the nation will come on board with the establishment of the chaplaincy. I am confident that this initiative will contribute greatly to the inculcation of national values as enshrined in our constitution. I am talking about morality and ethics, patriotism, national unity, social justice, among others,” said Reverend Sumaili.