Mafinga Member of Parliament (MP), Robert Chabinga, says he has decided to support President Hakainde Hichilema in order to foster development in the country.
Mr Chabinga says his declaration to work with the United Party for National Development (UPND) government led by President Hichilema does not mean he has any intentions of defecting to the ruling party.
He says he has decided to support President Hichilema to foster the country’s developmental agenda.
He was speaking in Chongwe today when he officiated at an induction ceremony of Reverend Violet Sikwese at United Church of Zambia Mount Olives congregation.
“I decided to support President Hichilema for the developmental agenda of the country because we want this country to move forward from where it is today,” Mr Chabinga said.
He has since called on members of UCZ to pray for all politicians in the country for peace and unity to prevail.
He further encouraged Reverend Sikwese to take care of her congregation and treat each one them equally.
Mr Chabinga further said the UCZ does not belong to any political party but to everyone in the country.
He stated that the church should not be misunderstood to promote any divisions for allowing politicians to attend any of its services.
The Mafinga MP said politicians who choose to congregate at the church during a particular service cannot be identified as being members of that church.
Speaking during the same event, Acting Lusaka Province Presbyterian Bishop, Frank Bwalya, said the church is a house of God which accommodates people from all walks of life to enable them to find solace.
Reverend Bwalya has meanwhile appealed to government to help the church to champion this cause and how to appropriately lead the congregation.
“Help us as a church in shepherding the flock and also championing this cause to accommodate everyone from different backgrounds,” he said.
He further called on government to champion development in the area by addressing some of the challenges.
And Reverend Violet Sikwese pledged to offer her services selflessly to all congregations she will be overseeing as well as all the people in Chongwe district.
She thanked the church and other stakeholders for supporting her work and urged them to continue to do so as she serves in her new capacity.