Sumaili challenged over powers used to suspend Church of Christ’s operations

Godfridah Sumaili

National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister, Godfridah Sumaili has been challenged to tell the nation what powers exercised to suspend the operations of the Church of Christ following yesterday’s calamity at the Olympic Youth Development Center (OYDC).

United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) President Charles Chanda says in as much as the death of the eight people in a stampede came as a shock to the nation, it is worrying that the Religious Affairs Minister suspended the operations of the church of Christ which is not within her mandate.

Mr. Chanda says Churches are registered with the Registrar of Societies which is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

And Governance Activist David Kapoma says the best thing the Minister could have done was to recommend to the relevant ministries for the suspension of the said church without taking it upon herself.

Meanwhile, Electoral Expert, MacDonald Chipenzi says the Minister could have asked other relevant organs of government to investigate the matter thoroughly and later make recommendations without taking an ’emotional decision’.