LUNGU BANKROLLS FRANK BWALYA

By Scoop Reporter

IMMEDIATE-PAST Socialist Party spokesperson Frank Bwalya is contemplating forming a new political party with the sole purpose of decimating and annihilating his former political party, with the first preparatory meeting held last Sunday in Mufulira.

Mr. Bwalya is swimming in money with resources in reckless abundance from former President Edgar Lungu who is reportedly unsettled by Socialist President Fred M’membe’s perceived popularity and fears that should he be president in the foreseeable future, he would take revenge over the closed Post newspaper.

According to the outcomes of the meeting which was held at Kuku’s Night Club in Mufulira which is owned by former Mayor of Mufulira Gift Chapa, each district across the country will be given a vehicle soon after the party is registered with weekly allowances for party mobilisation.

President Lungu is said to be less concerned by President Hakainde Hichilema’s rule even if he is to go for 10 years but anticipating the infighting over who leads the UPND after President Hichilema’s tenure, this may leave the ruling party weak and give room to M’membe to lead the country.

His fear is that unlike President Hichilema who has thus far shown no interest to have him incarcerated despite the atrocities he inflicted on him, including the infamous treason charge slapped against President Hichilema when he was in opposition, M’membe is seen to be vengeful hence the need to stop him at all cost.

“Forget about Frank Bwalya saying he will not form or join another political party. During the meeting on Sunday, it was made clear to us that money will be made available and our primary focus is to ensure that we get as many Socialist Party members as possible before we lure UPND members to join us. The idea is to decimate the Socialist Party because President Lungu has not forgotten The Post story and fears that should M’membe form Government, he will have him prosecuted over that issue,” one of the sources that attended the meeting told The Scoop. 

The source said Mr. Bwalya’s party already has the backing of the Catholic Church as five fathers from the Copperbelt as well as some former mine workers’ unionists were part of about 100 people that attended the meeting. 

“Parish Priests from St. Patricks, Kamuchanga, Kankoyo, Chibolya, and St. Lawrence all attended the meeting. Others included Patriotic Front (PF’s) Leya Mukutu Ward Councillor Christopher Lungu, miners, and former trade unionists for the miners. Frank Bwalya had no permit for the meeting so it was held in a haste within an hour from 14:00 to about 15:00 and we dispersed.

“The takeaway message was that all the districts will be given a vehicle for mobilisation and weekly funding for mobilisation purposes. In a nutshell, our role is that of party spoilers to the Socialist Party because bamudala still has unfinished business with Fred M’membe and would rather have Mr. Hichilema as President because he has forgiven him than having M’membe as Head of State because he believes he is vengeful,” the source said.

But when contacted for a comment, Mr. Bwalya could neither deny nor dismiss the story as being false but only said he was on leave for 21 days.

“Since you have called me, you can accurately quote me that I am off the media for 21 days. I am not switching off my phone (but) I won’t volunteer a comment to that effect,” Mr. Bwalya said.

Pressed to confirm whether the rumours that the catholic Church was supporting him as they now wanted to back their own, he responded, “I don’t know which part of the country Catholics behave like that. Remember that I am your fellow reporter,” he said.