LOSING Ndola Central United National Independence Party (UNIP) parliamentary candidate, William Wilima has petitioned the Inspector General of Police to investigate and possibly prosecute Fr Frank Bwalya for inciting Zambians to rise against the government.

But Fr Bwalya has said people accusing him of inciting people to rise against the government of the day are Zambians who have no problem with the levels of corruption in the country.

In a walk in interview with the Monitor & Digest, Wilima said Fr Bwalya had himself admitted having personally published the inflammatory words, Change or die Zambia’, something he said denoted violence.

And in a letter to the IG, also copied to the Copperbelt Commanding Officer, Wilima observed that Fr Bwalya incited violence among the people with the messages he was putting across.

“Fr Frank Bwalya has admitted to have published the inflammatory words thus: ‘change or die Zambia’ of his illegal movement on T-Shirts and Radio Ichengelo with other violence inciting words. Fr Bwalya is to date adamant and unapologetic over the same words,” he said.

Wilima alleged that Fr Bwalya’s intention to violently change the legitimate Government would not be beneficial to any citizen including him as it would lead to blood shed. He warned against ignoring what Fr. Bwalya was doing saying it was such careless actions that led to civil wars in other countries.

“Fr Bwalya has repeatedly broadcasted and disseminated messages on radio Ichengelo which border on inciting the Zambian citizens to rise against a democratically elected government,” he said.

He added that Zambia has enjoyed peace since independence and one person should not be allowed to take that away from the people of Zambia. He said Fr Bwalya should not be confused by his alleged political inclination but behave like a man of God he is. He said according to the laws of Zambia, any person inciting violence should be prosecuted.

In 2001, Wilima lost to MMD’s Eric Silwamba for the Ndola Central seat. He later in 2003 joined the Patriotic Front, where he served as District Publicity Secretary up to 2006. He however defected to the ruling MMD a month prior to the elections and currently holds no position in the MMD.
 
Fr Bwalya has in the recent past been the centre of controversy as he has come out strongly against the Rupiah Banda government. Fr Bwalya said although he had not seen the letter in question, people accusing him of inciting people to rise against the government in power were not uncomfortable with the levels of corruption in the country.

He denied inciting the people of Zambia to rise against the people of Zambia because he was merely talking about the need for change and liberation in Zambia. Fr Bwalya said threats would not work because the people of Zambia want change, something he said has already started. He added that the people of Zambia want a life of liberation from lies and selfish leaders among other things.

“I want to tell them that it won’t work because the people of Zambia want change. People want a life of liberation from lies and selfish leaders,” he said.