By 
Former President Edgar Lungu caused a near standstill in Chawama as a large group of slogan-chanting residents mobbed him after attending a Sunday service at St. Regna Parish.
The service marked the farewell of controversial Catholic Priest, Father Anthony Salangeta, who is being transferred to another parish.
After the service, as Lungu stepped out of the church building, a crowd of enthusiastic supporters greeted him with Patriotic Front (PF) slogans, raising their fists in solidarity.
Lungu and his entourage responded in kind, raising their fists and joining in the chants.
Inside the fully packed church, congregants periodically raised their fists during the service, further amplifying the political undertones of the event.
During the service, Father John Lesa praised Father Salangeta for his courageous work, highlighting his commitment to uplifting the community and speaking out on their behalf.
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“His personality might not seem appealing to everyone, but he was approachable and never hesitated to stand up for the people,” Father Lesa said.
He recalled that Father Salangeta’s boldness earned him various nicknames, such as “Mr. Lutoshi” and “AK47,” due to his fearless advocacy for the community.
Father Lesa also quoted one of Salangeta’s well-known sayings: “In life, you need to define your purpose,” noting that life is rarely kind to humanity without a sense of direction.
Father Salangeta previously criticized President Hakainde Hichilema for boasting about Zambia’s economic progress through graphs, questioning why this growth had not translated into improved conditions for ordinary citizens.
This remark during one of his sermons triggered a backlash from the ruling party, with some members dismissing him as a PF cadre and suggesting that he “enroll in free education” to better understand economic statistics.
Lungu was accompanied to the service by senior members of the Patriotic Front
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