Government  is working with church mother bodies to come up with a legal framework to introduce minimum qualifications for pastors to help reduce cases of misconduct by the clergy, Parliament heard yesterday. Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Godfridah Sumaili said it is important for pastors who provide spiritual guidance to people to possess some qualification.

The minister said this during questions for oral answer session in response to Kasama Central Member of Parliament (MP) Kelvin Sampa. Mr Sampa wanted to know what measures Government is undertaking to improve the moral standing of church leaders following negative reports in some sections of the media about their alleged misconduct.

“We are putting up a legal framework where we are going to have minimum qualifications for one to provide services of a pastor,” Reverend Sumaili said. The minister said the framework, once established, will guide the conduct of the clergy in the country. Rev Sumaili said the desire of her ministry is to see behaviour change among clergymen who have been cited for misconduct.

“We are not just there to condemn but we also want to see them [clergy] change and strengthen their leadership role in the church,” she said.
She said this in response to Kabwe Central MP Tutwa Ngulube (PF) who wanted to know steps taken to deal with men of God cited for misconduct to prevent would-be offenders.

The minister said she is in receipt of several reports of misconduct by some clergy, among them sexual abuse of young girls and theft from vulnerable members who seek spiritual guidance. “Some reports are allegations while some have been found to be true and so steps have been taken to counsel those found wanting to strengthen their character,” she said.

She urged all churches to affiliate with religious bodies to be accountable in their activities.The minister said the ministry is also holding talks with traditional leaders and the Church on the dress code in churches and outside. Meanwhile, 39 police officers were prosecuted for corruption- related offences between January 2015 and August 2018.

Acting Minister of Home Affairs Given Lubinda told the House that of the 39 officers prosecuted, 30 have been convicted, five acquitted, while four are still appearing before the courts. “In 2015, 11 were prosecuted, eight in 2016, 11 in 2017 and nine in 2018, bringing the total to 39,” he said.
Mr Lubinda was responding to Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa (UPND) who wanted to know if Government is aware that the Zambia Police Service is ranked among the leading corrupt institutions on the Transparency International corruption perception index.

He said integrity committees have been set up to promote ethical conduct through sensitisation programmes. The minister said weekly discussions on corruption are also held, including the introduction of direct payments to banks to reduce on officers handling money. “Regular rotations have also been introduced to avoid officers getting too familiar in