Churches demand more details from Tungwa family
By MUZIYA MUTUNGWA
SOME Christian organisations have urged former Archie Mactribuoy's wife Tungwa Chanda to avail them with more information about her situation to enable them make a meaningful intervention.
And Vera Chiluba has also been urged to speak out to enable the public weigh the situation.
This comes after Tungwa Chanda's father retired Colonel Gerry Chanda lashed out at the Church, women Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and some politicians for remaining silent over his daughter's broken marriage and also for making political mileage over the same.
National Women's Lobby Group (NWLG) last week called for a diplomatic approach to the matter as opposed to the use of the press.
NWLG chairperson Chipo Lungu, had said accusations would not help resolve the matter.
When contacted for a comment yesterday, the Lobby's information officer Juliet Chibuta, said they still maintained the same stand.
Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) director Reverend Paul Mususu, said it was difficult to defend Tungwa because her position was only read in the papers.
Rev. Mususu said the Church did not have information about her marital problems, making it difficult for them to react.
He added that Vera's view on the matter had not been heard, making the story to be "one-sided''.
Independent Churches Of Zambia (ICOZ) chairman Reverend David Masupa, said there was need to hear the true story from both parties.
Rev. Masupa added that a comprehensive investigation by the Church should be taken to avoid any speculations.
Rev Masupa noted that as much as the Church would like to sympathise with the affected person, their main role would be that of reconciling the two.
And GEORGE CHOMBA reports that two Church mother bodies say there was nothing strange about the decision of the Jehovah's Witness to ex-communicate Mr Levy Mwanawasa and wife, Maureen.
The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the ICOZ said yesterday that the Jehovah's Witnesses had a right to act according to their principles.
EFZ executive director Reverend Paul Mususu, said although he would not like to entangle himself in the Mwanawasa and the Jehovah's Witness affair, the two parties had the right to decide what they wanted.
"While the Church has the right to act in accordance with the principles of the faith, the Mwanawasas have the right to decide what they wanted in life," Rev. Mususu said.
And the ICOZ concurred with Rev. Mususu, saying any Church had guidelines to follow.
ICOZ chairman Reverend David Masupa however, said the Mwanawasa family should find a Church so that they could be under the shelter of God.
He cautioned against making a rush decision over the Church they intended to join.
Rev. Masupa who two weeks ago together with hundreds of his affiliate members backed Mr Mwanawasa's candidature for Republican President, said his grouping would continue praying for the State Counsel.
On the Radio Phoenix talk show, Scramble for Plot One, Mr Mwanawasa disclosed that his wife Maureen, had been excommunicated for supporting his Presidential ambitious.
When contacted for a comment about the excommunication of the Mwanawasas, The Jehovah's Witness declined to confirm their action.
Spokesman Dick Nkandu, said it would be unethical for the faith to comment on the private matters of Mr and Mrs Mwanawasa.
"A person's affiliation and disassociation to a chosen faith is strictly a personal matter. We regret that we cannot comment on private matters of Mr Mwanawasa and his wife," Mr Nkandu said.