Church attacked in Zambia
June 04, 2013
Youth activists associated with Zambia’s ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF), attacked a prayer gathering at a Protestant church.
“We were beaten, others had their cars smashed by cadres with sticks, knives, and pangas,” said a Bishop John Mambo of the Church of God. (A panga is a heavy knife used in East Africa.)
Mambo added that “we are worried about the direction they are taking this country we have always warned that the PF tolerates thuggery, they do not believe in democracy.”
“That PF cadres, wielding sticks and all manner of offensive instruments descended upon innocent citizens, Church leaders, journalists, cameramen and some politicians in a Church, is unprecedented and totally shocking,” said a statement signed by Zambia’s Christian leaders, including a representative of the Catholic bishops’ conference.
“Citizens and opposition political parties must be accorded legitimate space to register different opinions, for example, through peaceful protests,” the statement continued. “Once again, we call upon the Zambia police to be impartial and to protect all citizens at all times.”
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Further information:
- Pre-meditated attack against a peaceful gathering in a church (Fides)
- Zambia: Bishop Mambo Shocked By Church Attack (Zambia Reports)
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