HOME AFFAIRS PS DISMISSES CLAIMS GOVT IS PERSECUTING THE CHURCH

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has firmly pushed back against mounting public assertions suggesting that the state is engaging in a systematic campaign to persecute the church or infringe upon religious freedoms in Zambia. Speaking through Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dickson Matembo, the ministry sought to put to rest growing speculations and anxieties circulating within various public forums and independent circles regarding the relationship between the government and religious bodies. Mr. Matembo categorically dismissed the claims as unfounded and misleading, emphasizing that the New Dawn administration remains deeply committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens, including freedom of worship and association. He clarified that any regulatory actions or inquiries undertaken by state machinery, such as the Registrar of Societies, are strictly administrative processes designed to ensure compliance with national laws rather than targeted witch-hunts against religious institutions. The clarification comes in the wake of heightened political and social discourse surrounding state oversight of registered entities and civil bodies. Critics and certain opposition figures have frequently voiced concerns over perceived executive overreach and tightening state control over independent organizations. However, the Permanent Secretary maintained that statutory bodies must execute their mandates impartially to maintain institutional integrity, public accountability, and the rule of law across all sectors of society. Zambia has historically prided itself on being a peaceful Christian nation where faith-based organizations play an indispensable role in community development, healthcare delivery, and educational advancement. Consequently, any friction between state organs and religious leadership tends to evoke intense national debate and emotional responses from the citizenry, who view the church as a vital moral compass and