Alliance for Better Zambia President Fr Frank Bwalya says he will continue speaking out against the PF government’s failed policies.
Fr Bwalya who was attacked by suspected PF cadres Wednesday morning at Flava FM radio in Lusaka said no amount of intimidation will shake him.
Unruly youths stormed the Flava FM studios with some carrying knives, and poured opaque beer on Fr Bwalya and ordered him not to go ahead with a scheduled radio interview programme.
‘They confronted us and pulled two of the people I was with and they started beating them up. When I saw this, I approached them and while in the process of rescuing the other person who was badly beaten, they turned to me poured some ‘Shake shake’ beer on me,” Fr Bwalya said.
He said after that, they told him point-blank that it was he they actually wanted to sort out.
“They tried to pull him out of the studio saying it was me they wanted but I overpowered them and that is how they ran away,” he said.
“When I confronted them I wanted to see what they were going to do and if they would throw some punches on me I was going to throw back to protect
myself and want I am telling Zambians is to arm themselves because the PF (Patriotic Front) is upto no good,” Fr Bwalya said.
He said he was sure that the people who waylaid and attacked them were PF cadres because some people had already informed him prior to this.
“I even reported to the Police but the officer-in-charge said there was nothing he was going to do because I didn’t know these people,” he
said.
[pullquote]I even reported to the Police but the officer-in-charge said there was nothing he was going to do because I didn’t know these people[/pullquote]
Fr Bwalya said the people who attacked them did so with impunity because they knew that the police under the PF had become toothless.
“Right now I am going to report this to the police so that there is a record for the international community to know about this,” Fr Bwalya said
However, Fr Bwalya went ahead with the interview and has vowed never to relent siding with the poor.
“Should we wait until people die, there are no medicines in hospitals. We know the cadres that have done this.” Fr Bwalya said.
Fr Bwalya explained that his involvement in active politics was driven by the need to protect the poor.He also reviewed that the Pope, Head of the Catholic Church has said Christians should be involved in active politics.
“Ubwato bwalifika, nomba kufumamo.. ni pa Mpoto,” (the boat has doked, now is the time to leave the boat and enter the cooking pot,) Fr Bwalya said.
Fr. Bwalya said ABZ will liaise with all other political parties on issues of common interest, although the main pre-occupation of ABZ is to let the people know what the party stood for.
He pointed out that the world has had several Christians that have gone into politics and succeeded to help the poor.
Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo when contacted over the matter said that she was still waiting for a report from the officer-in-charge where Fr Bwalya had reported the matter.
“When I confronted them I wanted to see what they were going to do and if they would throw some punches on me I was going to throw back to protect
myself” Ngamwachiposa naimwe ka ? Iyo mwalikalipa bashi mapepo.
@Mo taim, why you think Fr. Bwalya teti apose nkonya? He is a strong man, he said “to defend” himself. Even Jesus told Peter to put sword away, “..tumone nga balaposa”.
@nostradamus
Father Bwalya can do better than inkonya… he can use the mpoto to hit those cadres`heads… they were lucky today, he was not armed with a mpoto because he forgot it home…next time those cadres wont be lucky!!!
I think people should start carrying guns and knives to equip themselves from the PF brutality on freedom of expression within democracy which is under threat! We are now in the state of nature.
@ Ola, we don’t want ifyo ifyama dangerous. Even @Ndobo lightened it up that “mpoto”.
These ma knife issue, I will never carry again. In my boyhood I had a red “okapi” for mangos. I forgot and went to play football. And you know ama tackles…. heee muyemo-muyemo. So I slide down, knife opened in pocket, and you don’t want to know more…..
Even mango I just bite, always buy already cut veggies or chicken pieces.
The type of politics obtaining in our country must stop forthwith before we start losing lives.
The ruling party must tame its violent cadres who are going round unleashing violence with the blessings of the top leadership.
its every Zambian’s constitutional right to participate in national discourse and belong to a political party of their choice. This is not PF country but Zambia
Members of other parties cant keep taking this forever, they are bound to react to protect themselves, while the impotent police look on.
I am extremely disappointed with PF’s uncivilized and barbaric behavior towards other political competitors
This impunity must stop now!!
Chi Kambwili Ububi # 2.
Just from the name one can tell you are a complete idio.t. we were all created in the image of God and we dont choose on how we will appear when we are born. You must be a black sheep of your family.
While this is not an endorsement of Fr. bwalya, I’m happy that people are beginning to stand up for themselves and fight back.
I wish he’d choose another slogan though – Pa Mpoto brings a vision of a black pot of nsima with the nsima overflowing the sides – just after nayaling it on a mbabula.
I strongly condemn this barbaric behavior by PF,I now agree that Michael wants a one party state.Fr.Bwaly and the opposition it’s time to fight back.
Who cares about the monister that you created,busy playing with the snake with your finger inside its mouth now that its biting you, starting crying oh pls save us the crap where were you in 2011 when thinkers of this world were try to bring you into term with the reality now that you manage to bring Zed to what it is today you even have the guards to think pipo that you have caused so much pain will give you a listening ear if i were you i would go back to Church now that you arent me enjoy your black moments that you created.
Can you imagine there is not a single minister in the PF who has the courage to advice SATA accordingly…not even Mmembe and inchito with their influence. one wonders what they are planning these two, i get the feeling they are waiting for him to fall on the way side. Surely PF knows that cant win with there underhand tactics, political followers can only be patriotic for as long as there is provision, when that runs out aha!! its Usain Bolt style
When one slaps you, give him the other side. This is what the Bible says. And Inspite of the regretable circumcitances that Father Bwalya found himself in, I don’t subscribe to him saying Zambians should arm themselves. Christianity preaches peace and humility. Where is peace in what Father Bwalya is advocating. What happened to him is not good and can never be justified, but his stance is equally wrong.
Uluse! Brother needs to get laid. He will calm down for a little bit, you cant be celibate for so long and think rationally, I mean he is a young man and all.
As expected…..bringing it down to the most basic of levels. You don’t disappoint.
Zambian woke up because you are in for a rude awakening. Sata’s administration is heading in a wrong direction. Zambian are sitting on the side line and watching their rights get eroded. What had happened to Father Bwalya could happen to anyone. I urge LT reader to voice your opinions by making comments and not just reading. Soon, you will be asked to show a PF party card for services. Impeachment is an option.
Stop putting stunts in the name of gaining cheap popularity. PF should be very careful of its opponents for they are using their speciality of maiming other opponents and heaping it on PF. Does PF have an intelligent wing and PR wing to counteract this rubbish being heaped on the party. Kabimba wake up and do your job.
Father we are behind you. Your track record is there for every one to see. Balipwa ba PF and they know you are a real threat to their incompetent leadership.
Stand up zambians and get united againast pf.sata has no human heart for zambians.lets pray for one man to die than many,may the head of the snake be crushed before innocent souls are lost.the real devil is pf and there leadership.lets pray and act for our prayers to be effective.protect yoselves.
is he speaking under the influence of shake shake or dobo? uyu umuguys paliba nerve
Ban all cadre engagements in every party that exist. Every party has these so called uncivilized and uncultured thugs. STOP IT AND BAN IT.
As we rejoce to hear the pipo insult those we hurt there others not happy, if only the opposition could be issue based i think th situ can change.
Former father uli chipuba sana how can you join politics a dirty game .You think zambia is a parish you can run iwe chi bwalya go back and serve God.What experiance do you have to run this country go back and enjoy umutulo and wine
All I’m going say is, “Separation of church and state…” find me one country who’s poor have become rich just because a religious man took office… Sata over any religious leader looking to take office. Ati Zambia should prepare for the new messiah… mans a joker.