newsChurch and Commonwealth leaders are saying prayers that cloak fury after Zambian authorities detain one of Africa’s most distinguished Christian leaders
Bishop Trevor Mwamba, held in a prison somewhere in Zambia
Thanks to the courage of the former Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the world now knows that the Zambian government has arrested Bishop Trevor Mwamba, one of Africa’s best known religious and political activists. European Union and African Union leaders, together with men and women in the Commonwealth, are today asking – Who will be next on the hit list of an increasingly unpopular Zambian government? TREVOR GRUNDY reports-
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa has expressed its outrage that one of the world’s best known Anglican bishops has been arrested and held at a Lusaka prison without charge or trial.
“We are deeply disturbed at the detention of a number of opposition figures, including Bishop Trevor Mwamba, the retired Anglican Bishop of Botswana and a Zambian national who now leads Zambia’s United National Independence Party (UNIP),” said an Anglican Church statement issued in Cape Town.
“We add our voices to that of the UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk, who has called on Zambian authorities to end arbitrary arrests and respect due process.”
Other groups including the European Union, the African Union, the SADC and the Commonwealth have also voiced concern.
Bishop Mwamba is a widely respected theologian across the world-wide Anglican Communion.
Among those who have expressed concern at his arrest is his wife, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, formerly a Botswana diplomat and a Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General from 2008 to 2014.
Bishop Trevor and his wife were well known Christian figures in Britain when they lived and worked alongside some of the most run-down parts of the UK before their return to Africa where they were known to be deepky concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor – in Britain as well as Africa.
Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba – the Commonwealth champion who blew the whistle that alerted the world to the plight of her husband and others in Zambia.
Mwasekgoa Masire-Mwamba is still a prominent figure in the Commonwealth, the well-connected daughter of Botswana’s second president, Katumile Quett Joni Masire between 1980 and 1998.
She raised the alarm after Bishop Mwamba disappeared without explanation for a number of days, before it was revealed he was being detained at a Lusaka police station.
The Anglican statement added: “We pray for all those opposition figures held in various police stations in Lusaka. We strongly appeal to the Zambian authorities to allow them access to decent sanitation, reading material and other human necessities.
“We pray for dialogue among all parties and that the democratically-expressed wishes of the people of Zambia will be respected in united nation.”
Waves of repression are sweeping over so many parts of Africa.
Especially in Zambia and neighbouring Tanzania.
Journalists have been advised by ministers to steer clear of controversy. That’s why the arrest and detention of Bishop Mwamba has only recently come to light.
Thabo Makgoba (above) the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town is a Christian leader who is not afraid of talking truth to power. He issued a statement expressing deep disturbance over the detention of Bishop Trevor Mwamba and an unspecified number of other individuals in Zambia following the country’s disputed election. The Archbishop’s statement, which also called for prayers for Zambia and emphasized healing, reconciliation, and unity, highlights growing international concern over the human rights situation in the country during a period of political tension.
In a statement after the arrests were exposed, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said among those apprehended including George Chisanga, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, Simon Phiri, Richard Banda Francis Mulenga and Patrick Mwansa who are all held in lawful custody at various police stations in Lusaka.
Kangwa adds that the persons of interest have been under surveillance over the last few years and more recently in the last few months.
He said some of the individuals involved were connected to military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps , posing a serious threat to State Security.
Kangwa told a Lusaka news station that the individuals were also found in possession of high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials for use in armed insurrection.
He says the operation resulted in the seizure of restricted high – grade military weapons and the apprehension of suspected members of the militia and other persons found at the scene, while others fled and their whereabouts are unknown.
Kangwa added that during the operation, the occupants of the premises fired shots at the law enforcement agents which resulted in an exchange of fire.
He says the suspects have been charged and access will be given to their families and Lawyers.
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