Lusaka — THREE Christian church mother-bodies yesterday made a clarion call to all patriotic Zambians to join the fight against corruption.

In a joint statement signed by Christian Council of Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Bishop Paul Mususu and Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) secretary general Fr. Ignatius Mwebe, the Church urged President Levy Mwanawasa to subject all those found or suspected to be corrupt to the law regardless of their status in society.

"We further call upon all patriotic Zambians to report all corruption cases to the law enforcement agencies," read the statement in part. "And together let us fight this terrible vice, as it is not a battle for one individual."

The Church urged President Mwanawasa to exercise wisdom in ensuring that the crusade against corruption was won by subjecting all those found or suspected to be corrupt to the law regardless of their status in society.

The Church demanded for the immediate investigations of the alleged corruption of the leaders President Mwanawasa dismissed from his government last week.

They expressed disappointment at the way President Mwanawasa handled former vice-president Enoch Kavindele, finance minister Emmanuel Kasonde and information minister Newstead Zimba's dismissals. "What would have happened if Mr. Kavindele did not react in the manner that he did?

Are the other two gentlemen being spared because, unlike their colleague, they have chosen to remain silent? (In one instance even being promised a diplomatic posting)," read the joint statement in part. The Church condemned President Mwanawasa and Kavindele's washing of dirty linen in public because it demeaned the respect and integrity due to the two highest offices in the land.

"Mr. Kavindele's actions, after his dismissal, deserve to be condemned, because he himself when it suited him, went against the MMD party constitutional provisions," read the statement.

"How can he then turn back and claim the moral high ground only after he is dismissed? It indicates to us that as long as his misdeeds were not disclosed everything in the MMD was just fine." The Church wondered why President Mwanawasa chose to disclose the information only after Kavindele's reaction.

"We demand to know the truth behind these issues otherwise President Mwanawasa will be perceived to be shielding the same corruption he is trying to fight," read the statement.

"In the interest of transparency, President Mwanawasa should have allowed questions from the press by addressing the nation through a press conference during the day and not at night through TV and radio only."

The Church asked government to work towards reducing tension in the nation by drawing up a long-term plan that would facilitate and pave way for lasting dialogue. The Church observed that Vice-President Nevers Mumba's appointment came at a time when the legality of President Mwanawasa's presidency was still being challenged in the Supreme Court.

"How will the country focus on the development if the two most powerful offices in the land are subjected to perpetual legal battles, as they try to legitimise their hold on power?" read the statement.