Political violence vexes church

WE are concerned with the recent political violence that characterised the Sesheke by-election, says North Western Presbytery Bishop Moses Gondwe.

Bishop Gondwe stated that violence should be condemned because it should have no space in a democratic and Christian nation like Zambia.

He said the church was scared at the level of violence happening in the country especially what was witnessed in Sesheke and Tunvwanganai ward in Solwezi.

‘’We are concerned as a church with the violence that we are seeing in the country because if left unchecked, it will tear the country apart,’’ he said.

Bishop Gondwe said this when he addressed congregants in Solwezi during an induction service for Reverend Moses Chitundu as minister in-charge of Trinity congregation.

The service was attended by Provincial Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela, North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila, Solwezi District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga and some provincial heads of government departments.

He said elections should not divide the country because in every competition there is only one winner.

“You don’t need to shed blood to win an election and we are scared as church,” Bishop Gondwe said.

And Bishop Gondwe has called on Zambians to speak good about the country despite the economic challenges the nation is facing.

He also appealed to Zambians to pray for the leadership of the country which God has ordained to lead his people.

“I don’t care if you love His Excellence, the President Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu or not but he needs a blessing and prayers from all of us,” Bishop Gondwe said.

He pledged the church’s continued support to the government in its quest to deliver development and services to the people of North-Western Province.

Bishop Gondwe said the church in the province is grateful to the government for the many development projects being implemented but that more could be done to improve the living standards of people in the region.

And Mr Mangimela appealed to the church to support the forthcoming provincial investment expo taking place in August this year.

Mr Mangimela said the expo slated for August 18-24 this year will help to unlock the investment potential in the province to attract investments in order to create jobs and wealth for the people.

The permanent secretary also called on the people of North-Western Province to work together in unity for the betterment of the region.