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Chibanda threatens to unleash C/belt MMD youths on Fr Bwalya

Chibanda threatens to unleash C/belt MMD youths on Fr Bwalya
By Mwila Chansa, Abigail Chaponda and Patson Chilemba
Wed 12 May 2010, 04:01 CAT

COPPERBELT Province MMD youth chairman Evans Chibanda has threatened to unleash his “battalion” of youths to sort out Change Life Zambia (CLZ) executive director Fr Frank Bwalya. But MMD chairperson for elections Mike Mulongoti condemned the threats of violence against Fr Bwalya.

Supporting Ndola district vice-youth and publicity secretary Alex Mubanga’s threats on Fr Bwalya, Chibanda yesterday warned that MMD youths would deal with Fr Bwalya the next time he launches his organisation or holds a red card campaign meeting.

Chibanda said he would give Copperbelt police commanding officer Antoneil Mutentwa a “piece of his mind” over the continued issuance of permits to Fr Bwalya to insult President Rupiah Banda.

“As youths on the Copperbelt, I think we have been very passive towards Frank Bwalya. I had a chat with him on a radio programme and I told him the constitutional requirements for change of a government which is to go through a political party but he does not seem to adhere,” he said.

“We’ve had so many insults coming from Frank Bwalya on our president and I think I will be failing in my duties as youth chairman if I don’t take action.”

Chibanda wondered why police had continued issuing permits to Fr Bwalya when his meetings had allegedly been provocative.

“I will have a chat with the commanding officer for the Copperbelt and I will give him a piece of my mind. It is up to police to understand because they are the ones who have continued issuing him with permits when they know very well that his meetings are provocative. He just keeps on insulting,” Chibanda said.

He claimed that the MMD would not have had a problem with Fr Bwalya’s meetings if he were spreading ‘normal’ messages like opposition political party leaders did.

Asked if he were not promoting lawlessness by threatening his youths to sort out Fr Bwalya, Chibanda responded: “What does a child do if its parent is being insulted?”

And Mubanga yesterday disclosed that he reported Fr Bwalya to Ndola Central Police for referring to President Banda as muwelele useless. Mubanga told The Post that he reported Fr Bwalya to the police around 16:00 hours on Monday.

“I have reported that Fr Bwalya to the police because he has insulted the institution. We are not happy with his utterances, he cannot be saying that President Banda is muwelele. That word means useless and President Banda is not useless. We are going to take Fr Bwalya to court and he should be dealt with, he has no manners,” Mubanga said.

“In fact, MMD Luanshya district officials will also report him to the police and that will teach him that a child does not play with fire.”

Copperbelt commanding officer Antoniel Mutentwa could not immediately comment as his phone went unanswered.

But when asked to comment specifically on the threats of violence by Mubanga on Fr Bwalya, Mulongoti condemned the violence.

“I condemn violence from whatever source, whether it’s MMD or anybody because what we want are clean politics. We have been watching the British elections…we saw the elections. That is what we are looking for,” said Mulongoti.

“In the coming year we would like to see those aspiring for the presidency to debate so that we can follow. I think that is my wish and I am anxious about that, so all those who are trying to introduce violence are killing that spirit. We want a spirit where the public can be able to judge for themselves who is better for them.”

Mubanga on Monday threatened to have Fr Bwalya beaten for allegedly insulting President Banda. On Saturday during the launch of CLZ in Luanshya’s Mpatamato Township, Fr Bwalya said President Banda was worthless and should be given a red card. Fr Bwalya said President Banda had brought more suffering among Zambians.

He said President Banda was spending public money on less important things such as funding the district commissioners’ offices when many people were suffering.
He said it was shameful for President Banda to be supporting people like former President Frederick Chiluba and education minister Dora Siliya who he said had committed offences against Zambians.

“She Siliya was called smart when she had committed a crime, Dora is dirty, FTJ stole the money, but he was the one he President Banda called damn good,” Fr Bwalya said.

“Rupiah Banda muwelele useless that is why people like William Banda are saying useless things. William Banda should be careful.”

On Monday, Mubanga warned that Fr Bwalya would receive worse punishment than what happened in Mufumbwe if he continued ‘insulting’ President Banda.

But Fr Bwalya urged all peace-loving Zambians to condemn the culture of anarchy and intimidation being perpetrated by the MMD.

Fr Bwalya said he never insulted President Banda but merely said the truth about him.

Labels: CADRES, DEATH THREATS, EVANS CHIBANDA, FRANK BWALYA, MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE

posted by MrK @ 3:52 PM