Detention of Bishop Trevor Mwamba and Co-Accused in Zambia
Written and Published by Bishop Jo Seoka (RSA)
The Rt Rev’d Dr. Joannes Seoka
former Anglican Bishop of Pretoria 1998 – 2015
We express our profound concern and condemnation of the continued detention and prosecution of Bishop Trevor Mwamba and his co-accused, who are scheduled to appear in a Zambian court today after a previous postponement reportedly linked to insufficient evidence to sustain the sabotage charges against them.
Reports from the court precinct indicate that security around the court has been intensified to extraordinary levels, with military and security personnel deployed in large numbers and media access significantly restricted. Such measures raise fundamental questions about transparency, accountability, and the authorities’ commitment to upholding the principles of open justice.
The apparent exclusion of journalists from effectively covering these proceedings represents an alarming assault on press freedom and undermines the public’s right to independent scrutiny of judicial processes. Open courts are a cornerstone of democracy. Restricting media access fuels legitimate public concern that authorities may be seeking to shield proceedings from scrutiny rather than demonstrate confidence in the integrity of their case.
This disturbing pattern increasingly mirrors trends witnessed elsewhere on the African continent, where political opponents have faced legal processes perceived by many as politically motivated. The use of state institutions against government critics damages public confidence in democratic governance and weakens the rule of law.
The heightened security measures and restrictions on public access have also intensified concerns regarding the welfare of the detainees. Families, supporters, and human rights advocates have expressed anxiety over reports alleging mistreatment while in detention. These concerns warrant urgent and independent investigation. Authorities have a duty to ensure the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of all those in state custody, regardless of their political views.
The Zambian Government must demonstrate its commitment to democracy by guaranteeing fair and transparent legal proceedings, protecting freedom of the press, and ensuring that all accused persons enjoy their constitutional rights, including access to legal representation, family members, and independent medical attention where necessary.
We call upon civil society organisations, faith communities, human rights defenders, democratic institutions, and all citizens who value justice and constitutional governance to speak out against any abuse of state power. Silence in the face of injustice only encourages further violations of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Democracy is not measured by how a government treats its supporters, but by how it treats its critics. The world is watching, and the Government of Zambia must choose whether it will uphold the principles of justice, transparency, and democratic accountability or continue down a path that raises serious concerns about political persecution and the erosion of civil liberties. Let us rise for justice and condemn dictatorship.
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For background information see:
https://anglicanism.org/bishop-trevor-mwamba-a-moral-voice-in-a-political-world
Extracted from and first published on Facebook page, 5th November 2026
Advocate of Peace and Justice Incarcerated
An appeal from Bishop Jo Seoka
regarding the arrest of Bishop Trevor Mwamba
The Rt Rev’d Dr. Joannes Seoka
Former Anglican Bishop of Pretoria 1998 – 2015
Dear friends and colleagues of Bishop Trevor and the wider Church.
I write this brief public letter to appeal to all who cherish justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. At this critical moment, I urge us to lend our voices in calling upon the Zambian Government to secure the release of Bishop Mwamba, Mundumbile, and 16 other co-accused, who remain incarcerated despite not having been formally charged with any offence, but rather based on allegations. Our collective advocacy can help ensure that due process, fairness, and justice are upheld. Therefore, I urge you to demand justice and the release of the Bishop and his comrades.
Bishop Trevor, as I know him, is a man of faith and justice, whose life and leadership have been defined by conviction, compassion, and courage.
Throughout his ministry, as priest and Bishop, Trevor stood alongside the poorest of the poor, speaking boldly for justice and defending the dignity of every person. His move into politics after retiring from Church leadership reflects a consistent commitment to serving people beyond the church walls. This is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ who called him, required of him. People and their dignity mattered to Trevor because all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God.
At the heart of his message is ubuntu—the African understanding that our humanity is bound up with one another’s. It is a philosophy grounded in compassion, mutual respect, solidarity, and human dignity.
During the election campaign, Bishop Trevor called for free and fair elections, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law. Nothing he said was a provocative demand, but a call for basic conditions for a peaceful, democratic society.
It is therefore ironic that a person calling for peace, justice, and respect for the law should be arrested for almost two months without being charged. If peace and justice do not form part of the essential ingredients of a healthy society, then democracy is replaced by dictatorship, which puts innocent people in prison. The bishop and his co-accused must be immediately released or charged – not incarcerated.
+Jo Seoka
Remembrance 11th November 2026
