THE three church mother bodies have called on Government to seriously consider a Government of national unity (GNU) if the current political tension in the nation is to be eased.

In a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, the three church mother bodies said it was important for Government to accept that there was a political crisis which could not be solved by simply inviting the opposition into Cabinet.

Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu of the Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ), Bishop Paul Mususu from the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Father Ignatius Mwebe of the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) signed the statement commenting on the state of the nation.

They said a GNU would be more beneficial to the country than continuously weakening the opposition by offering ministerial jobs to individuals without due respect to their political parties and the electorate.

"We strongly recommend that (President) Mwanawasa considers meeting leaders of the opposition, at a neutral venue, to resolve the contentious issues, if indeed the idea is to extend an olive branch," the statement reads.

Government should work towards reducing tension in the nation by drawing up a long-term plan that would facilitate long lasting dialogue.

The three organisations said it was sad that development of the nation had been derailed by the perpetual legal battles that had beset the office of the President and that of the vice-president.

They condemned political bickering that had ensued following the firing of vice-president Enoch Kavindele and the exposure of conf

They said investigations should be instituted immediately into the alleged corruption unearthed after last week's Cabinet reshuffle.

They called on Zambians to report all corruption cases to law enforcement agencies as the battle against the vice was not for one individual.

But MMD national secretary Newstead Zimba said there was no need for a GNU as far as the ruling party was concerned because the opposition alliance had disintegrated.

Mr Zimba said the question of forming a GNU could no longer stand because the opposition which was advocating national unity could not work together.

He said a GNU required widespread support from the opposition and wondered on whose behalf the church was calling for a GNU.

He added that the church should also consider what was happening in the political arena, especially over the presidential petition before the Supreme Court.

He said the MMD did not know how serious the church was about the GNU because it also belonged to the Oasis Forum which was opposed to Government.

In another statement, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has called on leaders to concentrate on economic and social issues.

JCTR coordinator Muweme Muweme said there should be an equal weight of public discussion on politics and food.