Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following the ongoing gassing of household in Zambia for nearly two months by unknown criminal gangs which has left hundreds of people injured and deaths resulting from mob justice, Catholic Bishops under their umbrella body of Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) have condemned the crime terming it “typical acts of “terrorism” and have called for “an immediate end.”
“In the name of God, we call for an immediate end to the shedding of blood. We call upon the members of the public not to take the law into their hands. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty by the courts of law,” reads in part a statement issued in Lusaka Friday, February 21, at the end of the one-day meeting by the Catholic Bishops.
According to reports, gassing has been reported in five provinces including Copperbelt, North Western, Central and Southern. The Church leaders have bemoaned this widespread attack of household which is a sign of disrespect to humanity. Quoting Gen. 4:9 – 10 they said, “The voice of God speaks afresh to the conscience of every Zambia.”
The prelates have acknowledged that the ongoing events interfering with the normal activities of citizens in the country are well organized and some people could be acting behind the scenes.
“What we have are criminal and subversive activities which seem to be well planned, coordinated and seemingly sponsored aimed at inducing fear and disturbing peace among the citizenry to a point that people cannot sleep peacefully or go about their business,” the statement reads in part.
The Shepherds of God’s people have noted some irresponsible conducts saying, “As a nation we have reached such alarming levels of disrespect for human life and the destruction of property both private and public. Institutions of security and order have been attacked in the process. Suspects have been subjected to mob justice in full view and participation of children and young people in committing such atrocities.”
“Irresponsible recording, posting and sharing of such atrocities on social media to the unsuspecting public has further worsened the situation. Furthermore, the scarcity of timely, adequate and credible information on the matter from relevant authorities has fueled further speculations and rumour mongering,” they decried.
Some reports have disclosed that the suspects spray gas that make their targets dizzy before they attack them. The reports have further revealed that President Edgar Lungu admitted that the country was “under siege.” He offers K250, 000 (approximately USD $17,000) to anyone who will give information leading to the arrest of the suspected criminals gassing households.
The Church leaders highlighted some of the possible causes of the ongoing criminal activity saying, “Erosion of traditional, religious and moral values of our society,” and “Polarization of the nation on the political front, evidenced in: Intolerance of divergent views, hate speech, tribal overtones, and selective application of Public Order Act.”
They noted further, “Our current economic downturn with the result of: Unemployment, hunger, general high cost of living (and) Mistrust and declining confidence of the community in the Police Service,” could be some reasons for attacks in the country.
The prelates have therefore called on “those behind the said crime of gassing people (to) stop forthwith and repent.” They have also appealed to political leaders to act responsibly and be instruments of peace.
“Our Political leadership across all political divide must denounce all forms of criminality and subversive activities in order to guarantee peace, tranquility and harmony,” they commented in the joint statement read by Bishop George Lungu on Friday.
the bishops have also called on security personnel to be up-beat in the services they offer saying, “The security wings should be proactive in detecting and apprehending perpetrators of crime and ensuring the due process of the law is carried out and as a way of deterring criminal activities in our society.”
They have called for respect to Zambian traditions and religious ethos advising the citizen that “Every Zambian must uphold our traditional, religious and moral values with regard to the sacredness of human life and inviolability of human rights.”
Warning on the misuse of social media the prelates said, “Irresponsible recording, posting and sharing of graphic materials on social media to the unsuspecting public should come to an end forthwith.”
“We express our prayerful closeness to the traumatized families that have lost their beloved ones in the ongoing criminal activities, including those still living in fear and spending sleepless nights, protecting themselves and their properties. To the victims of alleged gassing and those that have lost their property in the ensuing confusions: we express our solidarity. We equally share our closeness to those men and women in uniform who have been attacked or injured in the course of protecting life and property,” the Church leaders condoled.
“As we begin our Lenten season, we call for a contrite heart and repentance that this should not happen again in our Country. May our Lady, the Queen of Peace and Comforter of the Afflicted intercede for us,” the Bishops concluded.