CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha has castigated Anglican Priest Richard Luonde for allegedly issuing disparaging remarks against President Banda.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that President Banda has the interest of all Zambians at heart regardless of their standing in society.

Father Luonde was yesterday quoted as accusing President Banda of defending thieves and attacking donors.

The priest was quoted as saying posterity will judge President Banda harshly as it has allegedly become clear that he is more concerned about the welfare of former President Frederick Chiluba.

But Gen. Shikapwasha said Father Luonde's statement is shocking to say the least as the church has always been known to be partners with Government.
He said it is surprising that a man of God can utter such a statement without substantiating his claims.
Gen. Shikapwasha said it is not true that President Banda is shielding Dr Chiluba.

He said it should be understood that Government and the church are in the same business of fighting and protecting the interests and welfare of all Zambians.
Gen. Shikapwasha said the statement by Fr Luonde that President Banda is being segregative is baseless and lacks merit.

He said as opposed to attacking the head of State, Fr Luonde has a duty to pray for those in authority.
"I am surprised that a man of his standing in society can issue such careless statements in the media as opposed to preaching peace and love.

"President Banda stands and represents the interests of all Zambians including the interest of Fr Luonde and so he treats everyone the same contrary to the allegations. These allegations are baseless," Gen. Shikapwasha said.

He said Fr Luonde should have cared to contact Government to get clarification on the many ignorant points he has uttered against the President.

"Jesus says if a friend errs, speak to him and if he fails to heed to your advice, ask another person to speak to him as opposed to rushing to the media.

"In this case, the priest is disobeying the teachings of the Bible and it is actually he who will be judged and not President Banda," Gen. Shikapwasha said.

And Gen. Shikapwasha has said some members of the public have misinterpreted President Banda's recent statement on the conduct of some diplomats accredited to Zambia.

He accused some opposition political party leaders and The Post Newspaper of plotting an agenda to destabilise the relationship between President Banda and some donors.

Gen. Shikapwasha said being a former diplomat; President Banda was simply advising some diplomats and not donors against interfering in the affairs of the country, as it is a sovereign state.
"The President is a seasoned diplomat who knows diplomatic etiquette and so he was advising those who were attempting to meddle in the affairs of the country not to do so.

"It is, however, unfortunate that some people are misinterpreting his statement to destroy the relationship between Government and donors," he said.

And MMD youths in Ndola say they are disappointed with Fr Luonde's statement.
MMD Ndola district youth chairman, Patrick Nyasulu said this in an interview in Ndola yesterday.

"Father Luonde's statement is disappointing, especially that it came from a priest who is supposed to be preaching peace," he said.

Mr Nyasulu said it is unfortunate that Fr Luonde is insinuating that President Banda has chosen Dr Chiluba over the people of Zambia.

"He cannot put it as though Dr Chiluba is not a Zambian, President Banda is President for all Zambians and it is unfortunate that Fr Luonde can say that the President has chosen one person over all the others," he said.