CiSCA chairperson Bishop John Mambo says President Lungu should take action against Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Lawrence Sichalwe for sharing a pornographic video on social media because the minister’s conduct sends a bad signal to the young generation.
And Bishop Mambo has condemned Religious Affairs Minister Reverend Godfridah Sumaili’s silence over the issue which was against the country’s morals.
In an interview, Bishop Mambo said it was a known fact that the issue will die a natural death because it involved a government official.
“I this those clergy who gang and denounce the church should check themselves. They should be in the forefront denouncing that type of evil. If a leader including myself is found with pornographic material [then] I am not worth to be in that position. Truthful speaking, even without investigations that should be a summary dismissal, otherwise you will be sending signals that this is allowed and tolerated. We are a Christian Nation in our preamble of the Constitution, but if pornography comes from the top especially a minister and all that [then] we have a problem,” Bishop Mambo said.
He argued that Sichalwe did not have any immunity that protected him from facing prosecuted, and therefore, needed to be held accountable.
“I think let President Lungu give us an example in this case, what signal are we sending to the pupils in schools? Is the law selective? Because the police also can’t just say ‘we are doing something’ they should tell us what they have done. Of course a person is proven innocent until by the courts of law but the process itself must start,” Bishop Mambo said.
And Bishop Mambo expressed disappointment over Sumaili’s silence on the matter.
“I think that we must have a Constitution that embraces everybody such that when I make a mistake, I have to face the music. For me I am disappointed with that minister (of Religious Affairs) who should have intervened. But it’s like business as usual, so where is National Guidance and Religious Affairs?” asked Bishop Mambo.
“I watched the debate in parliament where people questioned the role of that ministry because we are on the increase in terms of immorality, alcohol intake and all that and yet we have a ministry that has got staff and a budget line that should handle these things. So this will send a terrible signal. The police are on record saying ‘we are investigating’ [but] what I know in this country is that if that person was not in office, then that matter would be pursued all the way until crucified on the cross, but because he is a minister it will die a natural death and as a result it does send a bad signal.”