Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba says the Ministry of National Guidance was necessitated by the Constitution which provides for the upholding of public, moral, social, cultural and ethical values.
Dismissing counter arguments from Patriots for Economic Progress president Sean Tembo, FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza and Economic and Equity Party president Chiluya Tayali this morning, High Commissioner Mwamba said the Constitution was clear on this and it was for this reason that President Edgar Lungu, in his State of the nation address, spoke about the moral fibre of the nation.
“National Guidance and Religious Affairs [Ministry] was necessitated by the Constitution. Remember the new Constitution provides that public, moral, social and cultural and ethical values be upheld. The Constitution is so specific about this matter that the President has been directed to address the State of the Nation Address (SONA) specifically to address the moral standing and fibre of our nation,” High Commissioner Mwamba said.
“Remember the Ministry is new and is still crafting guidelines but I know they will be derived from the Constitution.”
He said Minister of National Guidance was in order to deport fake prophets whom she perceived as inimical to the peace and stability of Zambia.
“Government has a duty of in its discretion [if it] finds that a foreigner’s presence is inimical to Zambia or its community. So the decision by the Minister of Home Affairs as advised by the concerns of the Minister of National Guidance is within the sanctity of the law. Is [Prophet Shepard] Bushiri’s right or freedom to religion infringed upon? That doesn’t arise as his church and his followers remain practicing their faith in Zambia. It’s been done within the sanctity of the law,” Mwamba said.
“In her discretion as Minister, Bushiri’s presence is inimical to the peace and stability of Zambia or its communities or if his conduct or practice disturbs the fabric of our society he can be denied entry. Witch doctors have their own space and allowed to practice without hindrance. Zambia uphold freedom of religion.”
And High Commissioner Mwamba also noted that South Africa had also been denying entry to the Dalai Lama.
“In South Africa, a country that celebrates religious and constitutional freedom, authorities have consistently refused entry to a respected man of God, commanding world-wide reverence-the Dalai Lama because his presence divides the two Bhudist faith (Chinese Buddism and Tibetan Buddhist),” said Mwamba.
One Response
Ubufi! President Lungu did not base the creation of the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs on Article 8 of our Constitution which outlines our national values and principles. He said and I quote the Daily Mail of 30th August 2016 which stated that a Ministry for religious Affairs would, ‘give flesh to the declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation.’ This declaration is NOT in Article 8 but in the Preamble of our Constitution and not the substantial provisions. Further, Lusaka Times of 28th August 2016 quoted the President saying he was considering creating a Ministry of Religious Affairs to, ‘oversee the values of Christianity being propagated in the Republic especially that Zambia is a Christian Nation,’ end of quote. This was during the order of service for the reception of Synod Bishop Sydney Sichilima of UCZ at St Andrews Congregation. So clearly he was caught up in a Christian euphoria and not in a constitutional euphoria. Fast forward to 17th March 2017 during the State of the Nation address to Parliament, the President mentioned Articles 8, 9 and 86(1) as, ‘paramount to fulfilling development.’In fact he said the values and principles are the, ‘compass, pillars and foundation,’of our nation. He directed the Secretary to the Cabinet to ensure the code of ethics are signed by all public officers and not the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs!!! He only mentions the ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs in tandem with ministries of Community Development & Social Services, Tourism & Arts together with Local Government when he spoke to issues of under age drinking, pornography and drugs abuse. Don’t lie to us. ‘Tachilaba mwebwa!’Scrap this redundant ministry!