Zambians must unite to remove treacherous PF - Bwalya
By Henry Sinyangwe
Wed 11 Dec. 2013, 14:01 CAT
ZAMBIA may never recover from the consequences of bad governance and mediocre leadership if Patriotic Front remains in power beyond 2016, says Frank Bwalya.
Bwalya, the president of the Aliance for Better Zambia, stated that there was need for a united political front to save Zambia from a regime that he alleged had become dishonest, corrupt, nepotistic, lazy and notoriously wasteful.
"Therefore, we call upon all Zambians to unite behind a political alliance that should remove the treacherous PF in 2016 and immediately start a programme of real transformation of our society. This transformation should prioritise enactment of a people-driven constitution that would contain the known popular provisions that Zambians want in the new constitution," Bwalya stated.
He stated that the new dispensation after 2016 should prioritise strengthening state institutions to guarantee the rule of law and entrenchment of the multiparty democratic culture.
"These reforms are indispensable for accelerated social and economic development," Bwalya stated.
He stated that it had become clear that PF had betrayed the trust and confidence of the people, who gave them the mandate in 2011.
Bwalya stated that the PF had abrogated the key terms on which Zambians voted for them, including delivering a new and people-driven constitution.
"What is shocking for many of us who campaigned and voted for PF is that the manner in which they have broken their promises speaks of a kind of dishonesty characteristic of crooks. Metaphorically, we can say PF sold Zambians a bag of kapenta but it turned out that the bag was full useless leaves with only a bit of kapenta spread on top of the bag," he stated.
"This is why many Zambians who voted for President Sata and his PF are saying 'banatigong'a'".
Bwalya said he was prepared to sacrifice anything to make a meaningful contribution to the realisation of the dream of a new Zambia governed by patriotic servant-leaders.
"I urge all Zambians to emulate Nelson Mandela by pledging to make personal sacrifices to rescue our country from a rotten regime and build a new Zambia for our children and their children."
Asked if he had in mind political parties that should unite, Bwalya said Zambians must first unite and political parties should be used to achieve the goals the PF had failed to achieve
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, PF
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Bwalya pleads for dismissed nurses
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 09 Dec. 2013, 14:01 CAT
ALLIANCE for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya says he is hesitant to blame the government over the dismissal of nurses that went on a 10-day strike. And Bwalya said his stay in politics is temporal.
Bwalya said the ABZ understood the difficulties involved in resolving delicate matters such as the nurses' strike. The government recently dismissed 250 nurses at University Teaching Hospital that went on strike, and labour minister Fackson Shamenda has said the dismissal of the nurses is final.
"We want to urge President Michael Sata, since he said he was going to govern this country following the Ten Commandments, that he should show compassion. We want to be very hesitant to condemn his government for firing nurses. We understand the difficulties of that job, especially in a matter like this one," Bwalya said in an interview on Friday.
"We are only appealing to his conscience to show compassion to the nurses, to the people who are suffering because there's a shortfall of nurses, having been fired, to reinstate them unconditionally. Make sure that the nurses have gotten the message that even when they have a grievance, they should make sure that they exhaust all laid down channels. So, for the sake of the people who are suffering, for the sake of their families, the President should show compassion and a fatherly heart to forgive them and allow them to go back to work."
And Bwalya said there were certain things he wanted achieved before he could go back to priesthood.
"My presence on the political scene is temporal. I've not changed my career from my vocation as a priest to that of a politician. I consider my presence on the political platform as something temporal; it's a passing phase. I don't look at politics as something which I should do for the rest of my life," he said.
Asked why he was heading a political party if he had no long-term political intentions, Bwalya responded:
"I have a specific task to perform using that vehicle, and when it is done, other people can continue with it. It's the task of delivering three things in this country. One, a people-driven constitution that Zambians have always wanted; I do believe that using the platform of ABZ, we would be able to deliver that. Secondly, strengthening of state institutions to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, that we clean up the governance system because of those strong institutions; and finally to entrench multiparty democracy."
On the perceived government failure to deliver a new constitution, Bwalya said it was a dangerous path to take.
"There're many people who are praying for the downfall of PF before 2016.
Failure to deliver a people-driven constitution will just exasperate this desire on the part of our people because it will be nothing short of a betrayal," said Bwalya.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA
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PF will never betray Zambians - Kabimba
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 03 Dec. 2013, 14:01 CAT
Justice minister Wynter Kabimba says the PF will never betray Zambians that voted the party into power. He was reacting to Alliance for Better Zambia (ABZ) president Frank Bwalya who said President Michael Sata and the PF have betrayed Zambians over the need for a new people-driven constitution.
Bwalya stated yesterday that the sudden U-turn by PF on the need for a new constitution had consolidated the common belief that the ruling party can't be trusted.
"It has become common for PF leaders, including President Sata, to shamelessly say or do something contrary to what they championed prior to the 2011 tripartite elections. As such, Mr Sata's statement that Zambia doesn't need a new constitution but amendments to the current defective constitution and that there will be no referendum, is but another manifestation of PF dishonesty," Bwalya said.
He said that what President Sata stated in Mansa on Saturday was contrary to his earlier pronouncements.
"Moreover, it is contrary to the PF Manifesto which states, and I quote; 'Under the MMD government the opportunity to have a new constitution that reflects the will and aspirations of the people, and which could stand the test of time has once again eluded the Zambian people. The colossal expenditure of more than K135 billion incurred under the National Constitutional Conference has been a sheer waste of scarce resources that could have been applied to meaningful national development. This failed process has been nothing but a betrayal of the Zambian people. Additionally the rule of law, social justice and the justice delivery system have been compromised. In order to redress the above, the PF government shall: Establish in consultation with stakeholders a Committee of Experts to review the recommendations of all previous Constitutional Review Commissions in order to draft and present a constitution which will reflect the will and aspirations of the people for submission to a referendum and subsequent enactment only, by the National Assembly." (22 LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS. PF Manifesto 2011 - 2016. Governance and the Administration of the State page 42)," said Bwalya.
He stated that the PF Manifesto clearly states PF's regret that MMD failed to deliver a new people-driven constitution.
"Moreover, the citation makes it clear that PF believes in subjecting the new constitution to a referendum and then presenting the new constitution to the National Assembly only for enactment. Against this background, our party Alliance for Better Zambia believes that PF is a dishonest party and that it will not deliver a constitution that will reflect the aspirations of our people. It is therefore regrettable that another golden opportunity to have a good constitution has been lost. It is even more regrettable that again a lot of money has been spent on a process to come up with a new constitution only to be informed that a new constitution was not necessary," Bwalya stated.
He stated that the PF should admit that they too have betrayed Zambians and that they don't deserve to be trusted.
"We find the statement by Mr Sata that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) calling for a new people driven constitution don't represent anyone but themselves totally unacceptable. The credible NGOs including churches calling for a durable people driven constitution in Zambia have been consistent for many years. As a matter of fact, when Mr Sata was in the opposition, his party shared the same position of NGOs. It is therefore immoral that President Sata should today rubbish their calls saying they only represent themselves," Bwalya stated.
He stated that ABZ's position was that the treachery of PF may make Zambians lose faith in the political dispensation which had the potential to create instability in the political system of the country.
But Kabimba, in response to Bwalya, said the constitution-making process was still in the process and that the technical committee had not yet handed over the final report to the government.
"So you can't make an allegation at this stage the PF has betrayed the Zambians when the PF government has nothing in its own hands in form of the final report of the constitutional bill. It is not fair to politicize things out of context. I have written to the technical committee that they must hand over the report on or before December 31. When we have that document in our hands as government and we have taken whatever decision that the government takes, which decisions I am sure will be in the interest of the Zambian people, then one can make a comment," Kabimba said.
He said there was need to make statements that unite the nation.
"We were voted by the Zambian people. There is no way we can betray the people of Zambia that put this government into office, and we can't. So to make statements prematurely does not show that you are making comments in good faith. Let's try and make statements that unite the country," said Kabimba.
Speaking in Mansa on Saturday, President Sata said defects in the new constitution could be corrected by way of amendments.
"If there are defectives, we don't need a new constitution, we can amend this constitution. If you have a chapter that you want, you can insert in the bills of what you want. We appointed a committee to look at the constitution and when they bring that document, we are not in a hurry. If there was a vacuum, we would have been in a hurry," President Sata said.
"How do you bring in a referendum? We have only had one referendum during Mwanakatwe, how do you come and want to bring in a referendum in between? Secondly, the procedure is that me, I'm hands-off. When the committee (technical committee) finishes, they will deal with the justice minister, who will take it to Cabinet. But what I am saying is if there are defects, we can call for amendments."
President Sata also castigated civil society organisations that were criticising the government over the constitution-making process, saying that they represented themselves and not the views of people.
Labels: ABZ, FRANK BWALYA, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Bwalya calls for deregistration of PF
By Henry Sinyangwe
Sun 10 Nov. 2013, 14:01 CAT
THE recent violent conduct by PF cadres calls for the de-registration of the party according to Section 13 sub-section (1) (b) of the societies Act, claims Alliance for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya.
And home affairs minister Edgar Lungu says Bwalya's call for the deregistration of the PF was valid. In a statement yesterday, Bwalya stated that the PF had become a danger to peace, good order and the welfare of the general public.
According to Section 13 sub-section (1) (b) of the societies Act, "the minister may, in his discretion, cancel at any time the registration of any society affected under the provision of Section seven if he is satisfied that it is expedient so to do on the ground that - the interest of peace, welfare or good order in Zambia would, in his opinion, be likely to suffer prejudice by reason of the continued registration of such society."
Bwalya stated that the intra-party violence in the ruling party had reached unprecedented levels leading to the loss of life.
"No one should doubt the potential of PF violence to cause national instability. Against this background, we call upon the responsible minister to rise above partisan interest and de-register PF before the violence they have been perpetrating gets out of control," he stated.
Bwalya stated that there was need for a thorough investigation to bring to book those that had been sponsoring violence in PF.
He stated that there was need for President Michael Sata to put an end to lawlessness.
"Should the minister fail to de-register PF, we urge the people of Zambia to delete PF from the list of political parties to vote for in by-elections and the 2016 tripartite elections," stated Bwalya.
"We think that the police have failed to be professional because they fear being fired by President Sata should they be tough with violent PF cadres."
When contacted, Lungu said the PF was not above the law and that its members should put their house in order.
"The challenge is valid because we the PF are not above the law. If the information gathered by the police and the intelligence warrants that we deregister the party...then I have to abide by that, but we need to make consultations," he said.
Lungu said it was up to the PF members to change and begin behaving properly.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, PF, POLITICAL VIOLENCE
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Sata has an agenda on PF wrangles - Bwalya
By Fridah Nkonde
Tue 22 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
ALLIANCE for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya says his party is benefiting tremendously from the confusion happening in the PF. And Bwalya says wrangles in PF are being encouraged by President Michael Sata himself.
In an interview on Sunday, Bwalya said it was evident that President Sata wanted to achieve something which was not clear at the moment.
"He is trying to achieve something which is not clear at the moment, whether it is to get rid of the Kabimba group or to get rid of the other group. It is not clear at the moment. But the wrangles have been encouraged by President Sata himself for an agenda which is yet to be established. The President, however, did not know in terms of strategy on how to go about it. As a result, the status quo is that he is stuck himself," Bwalya said.
"He is like a man or woman who releases the handbrake of a truck and it begins to roll down the slope and fails to control it because of certain factors within the mechanism of that truck such as brakes and other external factors. What has happened now is that the President has succeeded in dividing PF. The Kabimba group, those that belong to Kabimba will never trust those who are against Kabimba,"
Bwalya said there was no need to pretend that it would be easy to reconcile the two groups in the PF, adding that it was clear that Kabimba had been bruised.
"When you are secretary general of the party, and people begin to carry coffins and rise against you, you get bruised. Kabimba may not be finished politically, but it leaves a mark. On the other side, those who have been carrying coffins and rising against Kabimba, they have been slapped in the face and bruised themselves because they are asking themselves whether it was worth it; they are asking whose agenda it is, what they have achieved, and can never trust whoever may have sponsored them," he said.
Bwalya said it was unfortunate that President Sata, who had worked very closely with Kabimba, decided to keep quiet when people were rising against the latter.
He said it was clear that the PF may not be joined by credible leaders in future because of the confusion in their party, adding that it was sad that President Sata had failed to keep the party together.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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Govt has shown political will on constitution, says Bwalya
By Kabanda Chulu and Abel Mboozi
Wed 16 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
THERE is no corresponding improvement in the living conditions of people despite the extraordinary increase in the size of the national budget, says Bweengwa member of parliament Highvie Hamududu.
And Lubansenshi member of parliament, Patrick Mucheleka has advised the government to stick to the budget and not treat the document as a mere piece of paper. Meanwhile, Alliance for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya says the PF government has shown political will towards the constitution-making process by providing over K44 million towards the exercise.
Bwalya has also commended the government for raising the Pay As You Earn tax exempt threshold to K3,000 from K2,200 last year. Commenting on the K42.68 billion (US$ 8 billion) budget announced last Friday by finance minister Alexander Chikwanda, Hamududu said the government should start addressing challenges of implementation deficit.
"The PF government has doubled the budget amount from what they found, but what is of concern is that there is no corresponding improvement in the living conditions of people… poverty is still high, inequality is widening, education standards are not improving, unemployment rates are still high and death rates are also still high," said Hamududu. "This means that we are not making progress despite the huge amounts that are being spent. So, government should engage public service workers to sign performance contracts like what President Paul Kagame is doing in Rwanda.
This way, we shall create a system that will make everyone perform and it will also help to weed out non-performers. Actually, performance-based approach will produce results since people will apply seriousness to service delivery."
And Mucheleka said the 2014 budget seemed to be an ambitious and good document.
"But given the experience of 2013, where government borrowed beyond what they had projected, we don't know how they will implement most of the programmes contained in the budget document. We know what has necessitated the increase, it is the desire to improve social services, which is a good thing," Mucheleka said. "But how do you fund the budget with 25 per cent borrowing? There is nothing wrong in borrowing if the money is invested in productive sectors but our fear is that this government sometimes borrows without having any ideas on how to spend the money and they have no regard to the budget which they treat as a mere piece of paper."
He advised the government to widen domestic resource mobilisation instead of resorting to borrowing.
"We expected to see measures of broadening the tax base, including the capture of the informal sector and how to maximise revenue collections from the mining sector which engages in tax avoidance," Mucheleka said.
He said Zambia was likely to slide back into the debt trap due to lack of a consistent and transparent debt strategy.
"By his own admission, the finance minister said Zambia's debt stands at US$3.2 billion as at September 30, 2013, and when you add the K10.51 billion which they intend to borrow in 2014, then the debt levels will rise and by the time PF will complete its tenure, we might even exceed the US$7.2 billion debt that was cancelled in 2006," said Mucheleka.
And Bwalya said the government's allocation of money for the constitution making process in the 2014 budget was commendable.
"We are happy that there is a provision for the constitution-making process, although it's clear that the government does seem to favour a referendum to legitimise the entire process as a popular way of adopting the constitution. But the fact that some money, about K44.2 million, has been set aside for the exercise is in itself a good step," he said.
On the PAYE exempt threshold of K3,000, Bwalya said the move would put more money in the few people who were in formal employment.
"Against this background, we urge the government to do more to stimulate the economy,create more meaningful jobs so that more people can feel the impact of this good policy by the PF. Overall, we feel it's a good budget that should be implemented in a pragmatic manner so as to benefit the poor citizens in our nation," he said.
Bwalya noted however, that having a good budget was not enough but what mattered was its effective implementation.
"As the government implements the 2014 budget, it should do so with prudence and financial discipline so that the welfare of our people is uplifted for them to make economic progress," he said.
Bwalya urged the government to stick to the budget next year and avoid unbudgeted for projects and activities at all costs.
"If this is not done, we fear that there will be increased borrowing and we shall even deplete the reserves. We are fearful of that because it's us that will bear the burden of paying back such debts in future," said Bwalya.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, FRANK BWALYA, PATRICK MUCHELEKA
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Bwalya accuses govt of abusing media
By Mwala Kalaluka
Mon 30 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
ALLIANCE for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya yesterday accused the government of abusing state machinery to deny his political party access to the country's public and private media institutions.
And Bwalya says he has decided to do away with the position of personal assistant in his office after senior party members advised him that it was too sensitive a portfolio for an opposition party leader.
Bwalya said in an interview that the PF was trying to make it difficult for him to have democratic space and participate in the governance of the country.
"Some radio stations and other quasi-government institutions have been instructed to stop or to block us from using their facilities," he said.
"This thing has become so pathetic that we are being denied even to place adverts; paid for adverts and simple announcements for meetings."
Bwalya said the latest case was that of Sun FM in Ndola, where his scheduled talk-show was cancelled on Wednesday and officials at the private radio station claimed that the Zambia Information Communication and Technological Authority (ZICTA) had ordered them to halt the talk-show as the arrangement was not conducive.
"I had an altercation with the employees from the radio because I could not understand how ZICTA came into the picture. I was inconvenienced," Bwalya said.
"Yesterday (Wednesday), we paid Radio Maranatha in Kabwe for an announcement of a public meeting which was supposed to be held on Saturday in Kabwe. This Thursday morning they have called our officials in Kabwe to tell them that some authority in Lusaka has told them not to go ahead running the announcement; nothing controversial in the announcement."
Bwalya alleged that senior PF officials and President Michael Sata were the ones behind these machinations against him.
"They are using state machinery to intimidate some private radio stations, including quasi-government institutions, to make our work difficult," he said. "This is a party that claimed that they were going to finish me within three months when we formed ABZ in May this year. They have also claimed that I am not a factor. Therefore, one wonders why they are putting spanners in our works. We urge Mr Sata and his Cabinet to uphold the Constitution and allow every citizen democratic space."
But Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Emmanuel Mwamba said Bwalya's allegations were contrary to what he (Mwamba) had been preaching over the last five days he had been in office that the democratic space should be opened up through the airwaves.
Mwamba advised Bwalya to complain to him officially but also reminded him that the institutions he was complaining about were private with their own independent guidelines.
And asked about the stepping down of his personal assistant Emmanuel Chilekwa, Bwalya said there was no way he was going to accept his decision when he just communicated to him through a text message.
Bwalya said he went to Chilekwa's house when he appointed him his personal assistant.
"I have been advised by senior party officials not to engage another personal assistant because it is a highly sensitive position and for a party in the opposition, we could have a lot of problems coming through such positions in the party," said Bwalya.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MEDIA
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MMD should continuously apologise to Zambians - Bwalya
By Moses Kuwema
Sat 20 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
THE Alliance for Better Zambia leader Frank Bwalya says the MMD should continuously apologise to the Zambian people for the mess in which the country still finds itself.
Bwalya said the MMD had left the country in a lot of mess, for which Zambians were now investing a lot of time and resources to correct.
"The best thing they MMD can do is to continue apologising to the Zambian people for the mess they created, the mess that we are still faced with, the mess that a lot of Zambians now are investing a lot of time and money to correct," said Bwalya.
Bwalya said MMD leaders or members of parliament had no moral right, for instance, to point fingers at the PF on the NGO Act.
He urged Zambians not to allow anyone to trick them as if they were fools or devoid of memory.
"There are a lot of issues which are coming up in the country which certain known people created and now the same people are turning round condemning other people for the same problems that they created themselves. An example is the NGO Act of 2009. This act was initiated by the MMD government, and I am very surprised that certain members of parliament, who were in that government and are in Parliament today, can have the audacity to condemn the PF government for a wrong that they initiated themselves but only failed to implement it because we opposed them at that time," said Bwalya.
He said if the MMD had listened to the people at that time and changed the NGO Act, the current debate surrounding the Act would not be there today.
"But because they refused to listen, this debate has continued. We are challenging them to just keep quiet. Let the people who have been consistent in opposing the NGO Act, especially the NGOs themselves, be the ones to engage the government over this issue. There are even some civil society organisations that supported the NGO Act of 2009 in its current form. Some of them are now saying no! The PF government wants to trample on NGOs," he said.
Bwalya, however, said his party does not support the Act and wants it repealed.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MMD
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Kambwili, Bwalya go for each other
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 14 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
SPORTS minister Chishimba Kambwili yesterday accused Frank Bwalya of being a con man who was forming a political party to serve as a conduit for receiving money from unsuspecting well-wishers. But Bwalya described Kambwili's claims as cheap propaganda, accusing him of plotting to finish him politically.
"He who comes in the political arena must have clean hands. Ask Bwalya if he is a clean man. Ask him how clean he is. You and I know that priests are kept by the church and Bwalya does not…even when he was at Zesco, he was earning an allowance. Now go and see the house he lives in in Roma," Kambwili said.
"He lives in a house which is three times the size of the house of the Catholic bishops of most churches. Rentals for houses in Roma range from US$5,600 per month. Go and ask him who is paying for that house he is living in."
Kambwili maintained that Bwalya was a materialistic person that was pretending to be poor.
"Why live in such a house when you don't work? Why hasn't he gone to live in Kalingalinga or Mtendere?" asked Kambwili.
But Bwalya said unlike the PF whom he said had received lots of money from well wishers and only used less, sharing it among themselves PF, he was only receiving small amounts from well-wishers to sustain him.
"That is how all these statements by him Kambwili should be understood because since the PF government is looking for an opportunity to arrest me and scandalise me, they would not even publicly talk about the information they have which can incriminate me. They would have just swiftly moved to arrest me. It is very sad that PF wants to use the same things Mr Sata was accused of to accuse me," Bwalya said.
"Now when you look at Mr Sata's record and my record, I think it can be easier for certain things to hold on Mr Sata than on me."
Bwalya said he had been fending for himself following the Catholic Church's' decision to withdraw his sustenance allowance which he was legally entitled to since 2009.
Bwalya said he had made money through a lot of hard work and that his life was simple and different from that of some people in government, who he said were now thriving on illegal deals and connections.
"I live here and go into Kabanana (compound) and have a meeting, the impact it will create, without money is more than the impact they would create with the money that they have. I don't believe in money myself. That is why before I die, I want to ensure that I make a contribution to the politics of this country," said Bwalya, who took this reporter around his apartment in Roma.
Bwalya said the reign of thieves had ended because people of integrity were coming.
"When John the Baptist told his disciples to follow Jesus and Jesus turned round and saw the following, he asked 'what do you want?' Then the disciples said 'master where do you live?' Jesus responded saying 'come and see'. For me to make people my disciples, I tell them come and see how I leave. They look at opportunities I have been given to make money and then I decide to leave like this, then they say 'maybe this man means something'."
Bwalya said he would move to a house in Kalingalinga should he fail to sustain the rentals for the house.
"This furniture (sofa) you see with me, I got it from the Copperbelt. The printer was given to me two years ago by a close relative of Mr Sata. That water dispenser I got it on credit from a shop in Kitwe from someone who was supporting Mr Sata. That TV you see there, was given to me by somebody who is a staunch supporter of the PF here in Lusaka.
When I came to Zesco, I just had a bed. That stove and fridge, I bought it on hire purchase," Bwalya explained.
"I don't need a lot of money just like I didn't need it when I campaigned for PF."
Bwalya is currently living in a two-bedroom semi-detached flat in Roma, one of which he is using to print badges for his party bearing initials ABZ, with inscriptions 'Fr Frank Bwalya For President ABZ'.
Bwalya has stuck President Michael Sata's portrait in his living room.
He explained this as a form of recognition that President Sata was reigning although he did not agree with some of the things he was doing.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FRANK BWALYA
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Fr Bwalya overrating himself - Kambwili
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Thu 02 May 2013, 14:00 CAT
FATHER Frank Bwalya is a wolf in sheep skin who is being misled into overrating himself, says Chishimba Kambwili.
Commenting on Fr Bwalya's presidential ambitions, Kambwili, who is PF national youth chairperson and minister of youth and sports, said the priest was misleading himself into believing that since he was popular as leader of an NGO, he could make a good or popular president.
Kambwili dismissed Fr Bwalya's claims that he was receiving overwhelming support from Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, as cheap political propaganda.
"He is taking a wrong route. I advised Fr Bwalya that to be leader of an NGO and being popular is very different from being popular in the political circles. And I gave him this advice, free advice as a friend, and now when I read today's (yesterday) Post, I am disappointed that he has continued to pursue the same ideas that he has," he said.
Kambwili said Fr Bwalya was insulting all the PF members by suggesting that President Michael Sata did not know anything about governance and he was better than the President.
"Let me tell Fr Bwalya again that my advice to him is a very open advice, that if he does not want to rescind his decision to try and attack PF and want to be president in the next three months, there will be no Fr Bwalya," he warned.
Kambwili said Fr Bwalya would soon lose the respect that people accorded to him.
He said forming a political party in Zambia and making it grow to a level where people appreciated it to the point of entrusting such a party with power, was a very difficult undertaking that Fr Bwalya would soon come to understand.
"The Father is overrating himself. He may be popular as an NGO but being popular as an NGO is not being popular as a political party. I can give him a practical example. Nevers Mumba was a very popular preacher - Zambia Shall be Saved, and Nevers miscalculated. He thought if he formed a political party all the born-again Christians were going to support him. What happened to Nevers? He formed an organisation called National Christian Coalition and was refusing to say it is not a political party. People asked him; are you going to form a political party? He said no, just like Fr Bwalya said in yesterday's Post that 'I don't want to form a political party.' But we are able to differentiate sense from nonsense and read between the lines," he said.
Kambwili said he hoped Fr Bwalya would learn from the experiences of Mumba.
He said Fr Bwalya had ill-timed his attacks on President Sata, who enjoyed a lot of popularity nationwide.
"I can give him an example, Levy Mwanawasa wanted to attack Frederick Chiluba when Chiluba was at his peak, the way Mr Sata is. What happened to Mwanawasa? He just resigned and went into oblivion," he said.
Kambwili said many other people have started political parties in Zambia which have ended nowhere.
"You see, when you perceive that there are problems, it's better to solve them from inside but I think Fr Bwalya is being self-centred and I am so disappointed that we respect this man of God because we thought he was speaking for the people of Zambia and yet he was speaking to lay a ground for him to say he can be president," he said.
Kambwili said a lot of youths had sent him messages requesting for permission to rise against Fr Bwalya to which he had declined.
He asked Fr Bwalya to refrain from the route he was taking, saying the clergyman would be finished in no time.
"My advice to him as a friend, which advice I gave him one-on-one, is that let him abandon his presidential ambitions because the people of Zambia are not stupid. When you rise on a platform and speak to the people of Zambia as an NGO, people would want you to continue as an NGO and speak to the people as an NGO but when you rise as an NGO and later on you say you want to be president, people will lose confidence," Kambwili said.
He said Fr Bwalya should take the free advice he was giving before he becomes finished like a doormat.
Kambwili said he was a very close friend of Fr Bwalya but was gravely disappointed with his 'rantings' and wondered what wrong the PF had committed within a short period in office for Fr Bwalya to start challenging.
He reminded Fr Bwalya to recall the case of former Kasama Central member of parliament Saviour Chishimba, who wanted to challenge President Sata then as an opposition leader and went on to form a political party that never lasted.
He said Enoch Kavindele also wanted to fight first Republican president Dr Kenneth Kaunda and resigned to form his own party but that he ended up being losing out.
Kambwili said PF would silence its critics after three years because of the programmes the ruling party had rolled out.
"...I have been there, we formed PF in 2001. What we have been through to be where we are...no ba Father, I think apa pena awe you are out of contest. Ba Father bweleleni mukufwala inkansu pantu abantu balamisula. I am telling him abantu balimuchindika but balamusula Father get back to wearing your priestly robes because people will detest you, people have respect for you but you will be detested soon.," said Kambwili
.
Fr Bwalya claimed on Tuesday that he was receiving a lot of support from some ministers over his presidential ambitions.
Fr Bwalya, who recently resigned as Zesco board chairman, said he had received overwhelming support from sections of society, including ministers and deputy ministers, on the presidential idea and that it was up to the people to decide whether he could actually be trusted for the mantle or not.
"When I speak like this, I speak with confidence because of the text messages that are flooding my phone. I don't want to delete them because I believe it's God speaking to me through these messages but my phone now is congested," he said.
"I am just overwhelmed and I have always said God's way is the best and it is for the good of the people. No one has sent me any negative message, people are sending me positive text messages, some of them are cabinet ministers, some of them are deputy ministers and a leader of a certain country abroad who I met on one of my official engagements."
On Monday, sources revealed that Fr Bwalya was positioning himself to stand as Republican president in 2016 because he feels he can make a better president than Sata.
Sources also disclosed that Fr Bwalya had been telling his confidants that President Sata was too old to lead Zambia.
The sources also said Fr Bwalya had been telling people that he could make a better secretary general than Wynter Kabimba.
And Fr Bwalya said he would only state his position over the presidency after 32 days..
On Sunday, Fr Bwalya claimed he resigned as Zesco board chairperson so that he could be free to praise or criticise the actions of the PF and President Sata in particular.
Fr Bwalya also strongly criticised President Sata and the PF over the by-elections and the arrests of opposition political party leaders.
"I am back. I apologise to UPND leader HH and MMD President Dr. Nevers Mumba for not speaking out for them when they were arrested on flimsy charges on Livingstone and Kitwe, respectively," he said.
Fr Bwalya also said people were losing hope in the PF and the promises the party made even in terms of the fight against corruption, citing President Sata's statement advising the Anti Corruption Commission to notify him before investigating ministers which he hoped was a slip of the tongue.
Labels: CHISHIMBA KAMBWILI, FRANK BWALYA, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Fr Bwalya claims PF ministers' support
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 01 May 2013, 14:01 CAT
FR FRANK Bwalya says he is receiving a lot of support from some ministers over his presidential ambitions.
Fr Bwalya, who recently resigned as Zesco board chairman, yesterday said he had received overwhelming support from sections of society, including ministers and deputy ministers, on the presidency idea and that it was up to the people to decide whether he could actually be trusted with the mantle or not.
"When I speak like this, I speak with confidence because of the text messages that are flooding my phone. I don't want to delete them because I believe it's God speaking to me through these messages but my phone now is congested," he said.
"I am just overwhelmed and I have always said God's way is the best and it is for the good of the people. No one has sent me any negative message; people are sending me positive text messages. Some of them are Cabinet ministers, some of them are deputy ministers and a leader of a certain country abroad who I met on one of my official engagements."
Fr Bwalya said people had been calling him to assure him of the trust they had in his leadership qualities.
"I am not asking the Zambian people to trust me. I am asking them to see a heart in me that can be trusted," he said.
Fr Bwalya said the Zambians had the onus of putting whoever they trusted in power.
He said that God, through people, was drawing his attention to the issue of leadership, which he was seeking counsel on and that he had realised that there was nothing wrong with it.
"Talking about the question that you asked on whether I want to become president, my answer is very simple: the Bible makes it very clear that anyone who admires to serve the people and the position of leadership does a good thing," said Fr Bwalya.
"The only difference is when a good man admires to lead people, it's a good thing but when a bad man admires to lead the people, that one is dangerous. So I want the people to judge me whether I am a good man and if I am good man who is desiring to lead the people, the people shouldn't be worried because after all, I will not impose myself on the people. It will be the same people that will go into that booth and put a cross after my name."
Fr Bwalya said he was in a prayerful manner.
"I am not on my knees 24 hours. For me prayer is a way of life, so the way I am eating, reading spiritual books, the way I am cleaning my house, making my bed when I wake up in the morning, I am doing everything in a prayerful manner and trying to make sure that God speaks to me even through small things.
"When I wake up in the morning, I see birds singing outside, I listen to them," he said.
Fr Bwalya said it will be the people that will elevate him and bestow the honour of serving them in whatever capacity they will choose.
On Monday, sources revealed that Fr Bwalya is positioning himself to stand as Republican president in 2016 because he feels he can make a better president than Michael Sata.
Sources also disclosed yesterday that Fr Bwalya had been telling his confidants that President Sata was too old to lead Zambia.
The sources also said Fr Bwalya had been telling people that he could make a better secretary general than Wynter Kabimba.
And Fr Bwalya said he would only state his position over the presidency after 34 days beginning Monday.
On Sunday, Fr Bwalya claimed he resigned as Zesco board chairperson so that he could be free to praise or criticise the PF and President Sata in particular when he does something correct or wrong respectively.
Fr Bwalya also strongly criticised President Sata and the PF over the by-elections and the arrests of opposition political party leaders.
"I am back. I apologise to UPND leader HH and MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba for not speaking out for them when they were arrested on flimsy charges in Livingstone and Kitwe, respectively," he said.
Fr Bwalya also said people were losing hope in the PF and the promises the party made even in terms of the fight against corruption, citing President Sata's statement advising the Anti-Corruption Commission to notify him before investigating ministers which he hoped was a slip of the tongue.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA
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Magande defends Sata’s Malawian judge appointment.
TIME PUBLISHED - Friday, May 4, 2012, 7:53 am
Judge Chikopa -Malawian high Court judge chosen to head the TribunalNational Movement for Progress president Ng’andu Magande says there is nothing wrong with President Michael Sata’s appointment a foreign judge to head a Zambian tribunal. Mr. Magande has wondered why people should be concerned about President Sata’s move to appoint a Malawian judge to head a tribunal instituted to investigate the three suspended Judges.
On Monday, president Sata suspended Justices Philip Musonda, Charles Kalimanja and Nigel Mutuna for alleged misconduct and appointed Malawian high court Judge Lovemore Chipoka to head the constituted tribunal.
Mr. Magande says president Sata only appointed a foreign judge to head the tribunal because he wants a panel that is not dented with local politics.
Speaking to QFM, Mr. Magande says if president Sata had appointed a local judge to head the team, the same people questioning the president's move would have complained of biasness.
And Mr. Magande says the suspension of the three high court Judges is not important stating that what is more important is the investigations into their conduct.
He says what President Michael Sata should now do is to ensure that the many commissions of inquiry instituted finish the investigations on time so that the nation can forge ahead with other important issues such as employment creation.
Mr. Magande however says the three suspended judges should be given a platform to clear themselves since they are still innocent until proven guilty.
And Get Involved Zambia has welcomed the suspension of the three Judges for alleged misconduct by republican President Michael Sata.
Father Bwalya hoped that the action taken by the republican president is the beginning of the long awaited judicial reforms.
He has however cautioned Zambians against passing guilty verdicts on the three suspended even before the tribunal concludes its work.
Father Bwalya says President Sata should be commended for the action he taken, stating that he was merely responding to complaints raised by stakeholders.
He says the government should go a step further by ensuring that alleged politically engineered judgments in the past regime are investigated.
President Sata has suspended Supreme Court Judge Philip Musonda together with High court Judges Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga for suspected professional misconduct.
QFM
Labels: CORRUPTION, FRANK BWALYA, JUDICIARY, MALAWI, MICHAEL SATA, NG'ANDU MAGANDE
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Don't allow leaders to steal, urges Fr Bwalya
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi
Mon 30 Jan. 2012, 14:01 CAT
FATHER Frank Bwalya has urged Zambians never to allow their leaders to steal from them again. And Bonny Tembo has urged Zambians to manage the change they voted for because if it overwhelms them, it will be a disaster. Meanwhile, a former Zamtel employee says the sale of the telecoms company to LAP green Network of Libya was economic sabotage perpetrated by greed and foolishness.
Speaking at a Get Involved Zambia (GIZ) organised meeting in conjunction with former Zamtel employees at Norfred Hotel in Kitwe on Saturday, Fr Bwalya said Zambians should not allow their leaders to steal from the public coffers because such money once stolen was difficult to retrieve.
He gave an example of the London High Court judgment which found late president Frederick Chiluba and others liable of defrauding Zambians, adding that there was need to register the judgment in question.
"Do not ever allow leaders to steal from you because these leaders may die and their relatives will end up enjoying their loot. Prevention is better than cure. Whenever a thief goes out to steal, he always has a plan of how he is going to defend himself. So let's not allow them to steal our money," Fr Bwalya said.
On the review of the red card campaign, Fr Bwalya observed that whilst it had achieved some of the things it was intended for such as the removal of former president Rupiah Banda and the MMD from office, there were still other pending issues such as the non recovery of plundered monies and the continued stay in the Judiciary of judges that used to deliver politically engineered judgments.
And the meeting resolved that the red card campaign would continue as a way of pushing for the removal of former president Banda's immunity so that he answers to the various corruption allegations against him.
Fr Bwalya, who read the declaration, said the red card campaign would also continue to push for the resignation or removal of Chief Justice Ernest Sakala and all judges and magistrates that allegedly disregarded justice and common sense by hatching politically engineered judgments.
And Tembo cautioned Zambians against being overwhelmed by change by failing to provide necessary checks and balances to the current regime.
"After the removal of UNIP in 1991, we all got too drunk with change and became too satisfied to oppose. Don't be overwhelmed by this change. We shouldn't go to sleep. Change has to be managed. Otherwise if we allow change to manage us, it will be a disaster," Tembo said.
He observed that some opportunists had already started taking the ‘front row' as if they were responsible for bringing change.
And Tembo added that the sale of Zamtel was the worst plunder of all time.
He said the Zambia Development Agency must be held accountable for the manner it facilitated the sale of Zamtel.
Tembo wondered whether RP Capital Partners of Cayman Islands that was chosen to valuate Zamtel's assets even went round the entire country to check on the company's assets.
He said Zamtel's repossession should be supported and that defenders of the sale must be visited by the law.
Meanwhile, a former Zamtel employee described the sale of the company as an act of economic sabotage perpetrated by greed and foolishness.
The former employee said union leaders became spokespersons for management and the government and were therefore part of the Zamtel demolition team.
She demanded that justice over Zamtel should prevail and that the saboteurs should pay for their sins.
She recalled that in the run-up to the privatisation process, Zamtel employees, especially those that opposed the sale faced a lot of threats and intimidation and that she was one such person who was even taken to the police for interrogation for opposing the sale.
Another former Zamtel employee said the former workers only expected two things from the current government; either giving them money as redundancy packages or reinstatement.
And people who attended the meeting resolved to embark on a white ribbon campaign to express goodwill and support to the government so that they deliver a constitution that would represent the long standing aspirations of Zambians, put pressure on them to appeal against decisions not to register the London High Court judgment and ensure that aggrieved ex-Zamtel employees that were underpaid receive justice.
The white card campaign will be done on Wednesdays while the red card campaign will continue on Fridays.
Labels: BONNIE TEMBO, FRANK BWALYA, ZAMTEL
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Government's delay in ‘cleaning up' parastatals worries Fr Bwalya
By Moses Kuwema
Fri 23 Dec. 2011, 13:57 CAT
GET Involved Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya says his organisation is worried about the PF government's delay
in cleaning up graduates of the Rupiah Banda and Fredrick Chiluba ‘academy of kleptocracy' in parastatals and the civil service. In an interview, Fr Bwalya said the delay would jeopardise the fight against corruption.
"Already we know that at Road Development Agency evidence is being destroyed, now that is just a tip of the ice berg. We do believe that in many ministries and parastatals and other public service institutions, evidence is being destroyed because Rupiah Banda and his people could not steal so much money without the full cooperation of those who are in-charge of these institutions who benefited," Fr Bwalya said.
He said a number of people who were not prepared to be part of that criminality objected and some were fired from their positions.
Fr Bwalya said, however, many of them stayed in those positions because they cooperated and that this was at a fee for them.
"So these people are still in the civil service, they are still in public institutions and so on and we do know that they would destroy the evidence because it incriminates them as well. President Sata and his government should move fast, if they are short of men and women to prosecute these cases, the international community can assist so that there can even be more training for these officers. The scandals that went on under the MMD especially during the last three years of Rupiah Banda administration is enormous and everyday Zambians will be discovering something they never imagined could happen," he said.
Fr Bwalya said there was a lot of criminality that went on under the MMD during Banda's reign.
He said the MMD should either seek amnesty by coming out in the open and return the money that they had actually stolen and apologise to the Zambian people or wait to be prosecuted.
"If not they should be prepared to go to jail and for us as Get Involved Zambia, we will be very disappointed if these criminal characters don't go to jail because we would be sending a signal that you can do this and just go to court for a prolonged period but continue to enjoy your loot," Fr Bwalya said.
He also welcomed the appointment of Mutembo Nchito as Director of Public Prosecutions and that he was confident that this development would result in money that has been stolen finding its way back to the treasury.
Fr Bwalya urged Zambians to help law enforcement agencies with information so that all the stolen money could be recovered and used for its intended purpose of development.
Labels: CORRUPTION, FRANK BWALYA, PARASTATALS, PF
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Nevers Mumba is a shameful lair and cannot be trusted-Father Bwalya
TIME PUBLISHED - Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 1:43 pm
Father Frank Bwalya has charged that MMD presidential aspirant Nevers Mumba cannot be trusted with the leadership of the party. Father Bwalya has described Dr. Mumba as a shameful lair, who cannot be trusted to run the affairs of the former ruling party,
Father Bwalya, who is the executive director of Get Involved Zambia, said that it was a pity and shameful for a leader to lie that he was cleared by the auditor general’s report while he served as Zambia’s high commissioner to Canada.
In an interview with QFM radio, Fr Bwalya said that Dr. Mumba has been exposed of his lies even before he attempts to take over the presidency of the former ruling party.
He has further questioned the rational behind Dr Mumba’s defence of former president Rupiah Banda against alleged corrupt activities.
He said that it was clear knowledge that the former head of state might be linked to corruption.
Father Bwalya has advised the MMD leadership to think clearly on the type of leader they would want to have.
He adds that Zambia needs political leaders who are clean and have a better vision for the country whether in opposition or the ruling party.
QFM
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA, RED CROSS
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Rupiah returned to politics to steal public funds - Fr Bwalya
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Sat 26 Nov. 2011, 12:00 CAT
THE people on the Copperbelt and Lusaka voted for President Michael Sata because Rupiah Banda had clearly shown that he was a daylight robber, says Fr Frank Bwalya. And the MMD on the Copperbelt says the people in the province voted for the PF because the MMD did not attend to the plight of workers the time it was in government.
Commenting on former president Rupiah Banda's accusations that the people of Lusaka and the Copperbelt caused his defeat in the September 20 general elections by voting overwhelmingly for Michael Sata, Fr Bwalya who is Get Involved Zambia executive director said the former president must keep quiet as he was the one responsible for the sufferings many Zambians were going through.
He said Banda returned to politics to steal public funds and to destroy the country as evidenced by many ‘dirty deals' that he engaged the government in and were now resurfacing.
Fr Bwalya said communication along the line of rail between Copperbelt and Lusaka was so good that it did not take long before many people realised that if they allowed Banda to continue as Republican president, the country would have collapsed.
"We are now advising Mr. Rupiah Banda to keep quiet because he destroyed our country. The same advice we gave to the late Frederick Chiluba to say keep quiet and he didn't listen and we therefore started calling him lazo thief is the same advice we are giving to Rupiah Banda. Let him keep quiet. The man (Rupiah Banda) went as far as lying about where his parents were born. He committed a criminal offence. He occupied State House illegally," Fr Bwalya said.
He said the new PF government should make sure that they don't make silly mistakes that would overshadow the important achievements that they may be scoring.
Fr Bwalya said the PF should concentrate on addressing real issues that would uplift the living standards of the majority people.
"The PF has done very well in some areas…Some of the bad things they have done are denting their image in a manner that is even taking away the positive things. The new government should execute duties in the best interest of the country," said Fr Bwalya.
And MMD Copperbelt information and publicity secretary Yotam Mutayachalo said the massive defeat of Rupiah Banda was expected because issues of workers and the operations of the mines were not addressed.
Mutayachalo said the MMD was the brainchild of the workers and people were bitter that the government had betrayed them because many issues of national interest that were raised were ignored.
Labels: CORRUPTION, FRANK BWALYA, MMD, RUPIAH BANDA
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Stand up and defend the change you voted for, says Fr Bwalya
By Mwila Chansa-Ntambi
Sun 30 Oct. 2011, 12:20 CAT
ZAMBIANS must stand up and defend the change they voted for, says Get Involved Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya.
Commenting on President Michael Sata's threats to dissolve parliament and call for fresh general elections if opposition parliamentarians continue to allegedly frustrate the government's programmes in parliament, Fr Bwalya observed that the change people voted for may not be realised if the opposition frustrate government programmes aimed at advancing development in the country.
"As GIZ we are very wary about the attempts by the opposition to frustrate government programmes. We vigorously campaigned for change and the majority of the Zambian people voted for change," Fr Bwalya said.
"But the change they voted for may not be realised because of the opposition frustrating government programmes that are clearly non partisan but meant to advance development in the country."
Fr Bwalya urged Zambians that voted for change to support President Sata and ensure that the opposition does not succeed in frustrating the government's programmes.
"…But should that fail, we welcome the dissolution of parliament so that PF can have the required numbers in parliament. Yes elections are costly but at the end of the day, it's more costly on the Zambian people if their government fails to advance policies that would improve their livelihood," Fr Bwalya added.
He noted that issues of lower taxes, job creation and a new constitution may not be achieved in the current scenario.
Fr Bwalya further said some people that committed wrongs against Zambians were still in the MMD and had found solace in UPND in order to allegedly frustrate the PF government so that gullible Zambians may think those people managed the country's economy better.
"So we urge all Zambians to stand up and defend the change they voted for. Otherwise we stand a danger of our President being frustrated by these criminals," said Fr Bwalya.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, MICHAEL SATA
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Fr Miha dies
By Abigail Chaponda, Darious Kapembwa in Ndola and Salim Dawood
Sun 30 Oct. 2011, 11:50 CAT
MISSION Press director Fr Miha Drevensek has died. Secretary general of the Franciscan Friara in Zambia Fr Matthews Mumba confirmed the death yesterday. Fr Mumba said Fr Miha, 65, was taken ill to Mirama Hospital in Ndola yesterday morning following a heart attack, but died around 15:00 hours.
And Get Involved Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya said the death of Fr Miha came with a great sense of shock and loss. Fr Bwalya said to him, Fr Miha was a courageous priest, a prophetic voice and a parent.
"Fr Miha is a person that helped me materially, as well as his family and yet he conducted himself in a very humble way. Even when he criticised leaders like late Levy Mwanawasa and late Frederick Chiluba, he still went to their houses and they remained friends," said Fr Bwalya.
"For me, I will not consider it as death but I will consider it as Fr Miha going back to the Lord."
Fr Miha was also editor of The Challenge and Icengelo magazines.
Labels: CATHOLIC CHURCH, FRANK BWALYA, MIHA DREVENSEK, OBITUARIES
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Cops censure Fr Bwalya over honking
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Thu 01 Sep. 2011, 12:00 CAT
COPPERBELT police on Tuesday cautioned Get Involved Zambia executive director Fr Frank Bwalya against honking unnecessarily and killing animals in public. Copperbelt police commanding officer Dr Martin Malama on Sunday summoned Fr Bwalya to his office over some statements he was making against elected leaders.
Dr Malama told journalists in Ndola after meeting Fr Bwalya that he was concerned about the utterances the cleric was giving at public rallies about elected officials and how he would forcefully remove them.
He said Zambia had laws and if anyone felt the elected officials were fraudulently chosen, they were free to go to court.
"Elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner and if one decides to take the law in his hands, he will be to blame," Dr Malama said.
He said he cautioned Fr Bwalya about honking, which was an offence, and about him killing animals in public.
Dr Malama said people campaigning should obey laws during campaigns because the law reigns supreme.
And Fr Bwalya described the discussion with Dr Malama as cordial and reciprocal.
In an interview after the meeting, Fr Bwalya who was accompanied by PF provincial chairman Rebby Chanda, PF district chairman George Chisulo and Get Involved Zambia members said Dr Malama expressed concern over what he (Fr Bwalya) said in Luanshya's Mpatamato area about removing President Rupiah Banda from State House once re-elected after the September 20 elections.
"I said to the people of Luanshya that I was prepared to die there at State House," he said.
Fr Bwalya said the second issue was about what he did at a rally in Mpatamato where he killed a chicken and broke its eggs to illustrate a point that those who wanted change should avoid vote splitting as a way of counteracting rigging.
Fr Bwalya said Dr Malama also wanted to remind him that honking unnecessarily was an offense.
"It is about the ‘Rupiah achoke' campaign which we have started having every Friday that the police wanted to remind me that unnecessary honking is an offence," he said.
Fr Bwalya said he would pray over what was discussed and issue a comprehensive statement about his views on the three points that were discussed.
Labels: FRANK BWALYA, RED CARD CAMPAIGN
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Fr Bwalya demands resignation of MMD-adopted civil servants
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 25 July 2011, 14:00 CAT
CIVIL servants that have been adopted to stand in this year’s elections must resign, says Fr Frank Bwalya. Commenting on the recent announced adoption of MMD parliamentary candidates that include some civil servants to stand in this year’s elections, Fr Bwalya said their continued stay in office after joining active politics was immoral and illegal.
“People should look at these as individuals that do not respect the rule of law and decency of politics. This is abuse of office,” Fr Bwalya said.
“In fact, Zambians in constituencies where they are standing should reject them because they lack respect of the law.”
He said MMD was so desperate that it had now resorted to shortcuts just to stay in power.
The MMD has adopted Ministry of Health director of technical services, Dr Canisius Banda, director of public health research in the same ministry, Dr Victor Mukonka and Northern Province permanent secretary Mwalimu Simfukwe to stand as parliamentary candidates in Mandevu, Monze and Mbala constituencies respectively.
The trio has, however, not resigned from their government positions, as per requirement upon declaring interest in active politics.
Civil servants are barred by law from engaging in active politics.
Labels: CADRES, CIVIL SERVANTS, FRANK BWALYA
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