Welcome Back Fr. Bwalya, But….

By Rev Kapya Kaoma
Am I the only person who wondered what had happened to Fr. Bwalya after September 2011? Honestly, I want to know where he went when PF controlled Police attacked opposition cadres and their leaders. Where was he when Kabimba intimidated the Anti-Corruption Commission? How about when his fellow Roman Catholic priest was arrested and deported for standing up for the rights of farmers?

Fr. Bwalya’s aspirations for public office are commendable. After all, he has the democratic right to do so. But, I wonder whether he has the right to lie to Zambians. Bwalya is no johnny-come-lately to Zambian politics; so for him to pretend to see PF wrongs now is disingenuous. I understand that it demands moral courage to withstand the temptations of power and money – you can ask Pastor Nevers Mumba. Seriously, if Bwalya could not tell that the PF government had lost direction until last week, I doubt his sanity.

[pullquote]the most tyrannical of governments are those which make crimes of opinions, for everyone has an inalienable right to his thoughts.[/pullquote] I have consistently questioned PF’s misuse of power. Some people say that I am bitter and rightly so. I am bitter that our nation is slowly becoming like Zimbabwe. The selective application of the law, the arrest of citizens for expressing their views on governance and the arrogance of PF cadre-ministers demand prophetic rage. I am reminded of the words of the Jewish-Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza: “The most tyrannical of governments are those which make crimes of opinions, for everyone has an inalienable right to his thoughts.” These words aptly define what the PF government has become – a dictatorship.
No day passes without hearing about a politically motivated arrest or persecution. Ironically, only members of the opposition are arrested.. Our police, courts, and Anti-Corruption commission are now instruments of oppression – making vicious dictators like Robert Mugabe angels! As long as they kiss Sata’s boots, criminals are left to roam our streets in cars bought with our tax Kwachas

[pullquote]Bwalya is no johnny-come-lately to Zambian politics; so for him to pretend to see PF wrongs now is disingenuous[/pullquote]

Surely Fr. Bwalya should know that we, the church leaders are Christ’s voice for the oppressed. As for politicians, they will always be politicians – always looking to the next election. If that means lying or pitting tribes against each other, they will do so – after all, politics is a game of divide and rule. That is why I personally cherished Bwalya’s role during the MMD era; he was a resilient prophet, always speaking the truth to power. But then he disappeared and only returned to head the board of ZESCO. Had Bwalya maintained his integrity, he would have remained the most crucial and influential voice in Zambia – always reminding politicians of what God demands – mercy, justice and righteousness.

Bwalya should have known that politicians are not the messiahs but sinful individuals – Chiluba, Mwanawasa, Banda and Sata. As a moral voice, Bwalya should have maintained his prophetic stance rather than sacrificing it to PF. From now on, PF will invalidate his voice as that of a bitter failed politician.

Here is my word of caution to my fellow religious leaders. If your goal is to become a politician, be transparent about it. Don’t use the Church to launch your political career. Zambia needs religious leaders with integrity – willing to stand on the side of the oppressed. We, the religious voices are the ones who carry the burden of watching the poor die from poverty and curable diseases; and the frustrations of families that are denied justice because of their social and economic status. Sadly, Fr. Bwalya dumped this royal calling for Sata’s PF.

[pullquote]It is a fallacy for opposition leaders to expect PF to look after their interests.[/pullquote]

That said, I want to clear one issue – the poaching of opposition MPs. While many of us want PF to stop poaching MPs to ensure multi-party democracy in the nation, I bet to differ. Political science 101 is simple; exploiting your opponent’s weaknesses is key to winning an election in multi-party politics. PF has found a working strategy – divide and rule. PF knows that it can’t compete on the policies, so dividing the opposition is key to winning the 2016 elections.

It is a fallacy for opposition leaders to expect PF to look after their interests. Each time the opposition fights itself, it is Christmas to PF. We all know that since 1991, our MPs have behaved like street prostitutes – always selling themselves to the highest bidder. So it is up to the opposition parties to find a counter strategy. Until MMD and UPND MPs reject PF pecuniary advances – PF will ensure its hold on power.
I also disagree with those who feel that MPs can’t switch political parties. Unless we reject the fundamental right to free association, barring lawmakers to switch sides is trumping on their fundamental rights. While the issue of by-elections is costly, we should be careful not to sacrifice our fundamental rights on the premise of economics. It is for this reason that I congratulate Bwalya’s ambitions for political office. Good luck my brother with your new party and yellow card campaign – I bet Zambians have short memories.