A member of a church in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka has gone on the run and is being hunted by local police officers after dragging a priest from the pulpit and beating him up.

The incident is said to have occurred last Sunday at Kalingalinga Anglican Church in Lusaka.

The clergyman at the time was delivering a sermon when a congregant only identified as Mwale walked to the pulpit and ordered him to halt the preaching.

When the priest ignored the order to stop preaching, Mwale is said to have dragged his victim from the pulpit and started punching him.

Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo had confirmed the assault and said a manhunt for Mwale had been launched.

“It is alleged that the accused person went to the pulpit where the priest was and ordered him to stop preaching , and when the Priest resisted, he begun dragging him and also punched him on the face with fists and he sustained swollen lips,” Katongo stated.

“Initial investigations revealed that the accused person is among a group of church members fighting the Priest over the church car park space. It is further alleged that the Priest has been calling for church elections and this has angered some church members,” added Katongo.

A medical report form has been issued and a manhunt for the suspect who is currently on the run has been launched.

Katongo said when police officers went to the church, they found the church locked and members dispersed.