Former Church of God overseer Bishop John Maambo has said he feels sorry for church leaders that have continued to endorse presidential candidates publicly.
And Bishop Mambo has maintained that church leaders are compromised .
Bishop Maambo's comments come following the three churches that have endorsed President Rupiah Banda as the rightful candidate for the 2011 elections.
The three are International Fellowship of Christians led by Bishop Simon Chihana, Life Gospel Fellowship Ministries International led by Bishop Joseph Kazhila and Living Water Global Ministries led by Bishop Bernard Nwaka.
Bishop Nwaka also said the fact that the Patriotic Front party leader Michael Sata failed to attend the funeral of second Republic president Fredrick Chiluba was an indication that he was not a believer in reconciliation, forgiveness and peacemaking.
He said if Zambians made a mistake of voting for Mr. Sata, they would be allowing the demon to enter State House.
But Bishop Nwakas endorsement of president Banda and his allegations on Mr. Sata has angered Bishop Mambo who said the role of the church should be only to encourage the Zambian people on the importance of voting.
In an interview with Flava FM News, Bishop Mambo adds that the church has many followers who are affiliated to different
political parties hence they should not be forced to support a particular candidate.
Efforts to get clarification from Bishop Nwaka proved futile as his phone went unanswered and eventually switched off.
Meanwhile Bishop Mambo says the change of government that is being advocated for, calls for leaders that will be friends with the poor.
He explains that Zambia needs leaders that will address the key issues affecting the living standards of the people
.. Bishop Mambo fears that if the
church does not take a strong
stance, the tenets of democracy
will be destroyed.

PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province yesterday thanked PF leader Michael Sata for having visited him at UTH when he was hospitalised in Lusaka last week.

In a telephone interview from his Ephendukeni palace in Feni area in Chipata, Mpezeni said he was now well.

“I am well and back at the palace. I have recovered,” Mpezeni said. “Let me just take this opportunity to thank Mr Michael Chilufya Sata for having visited me when I was admitted to UTH.

When someone visits you when you are sick, then just know that, that person loves you. I hear some people are saying a lot of things about Mr Sata’s visit to me when I was in hospital but for me, I just want to thank him a lot for that gesture.”

And Mpezeni warned what he termed as the “young men” talking a lot of things in the state media.

“These young men who are talking a lot of things in the state newspapers should stop,” he said. “This man calling himself Dan Jere, I don’t know him. If he continues talking about me, nkamukakisha (I will have him arrested).

Let’s preach love, not hatred. Whatever Sata did was out of love, so let’s look at things from that point. I don’t know this man who is talking, he is not my relative. If he thinks he is, let him bring his mother to the palace.”