Fr. Bwalya Responds to Dr. M’membe’s unsubstantiated Accusations

… He clarified that his decision to leave the Socialist Party was based on disagreements with Dr. M’membe’s leadership and the party’s decision-making process.

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 (28 -08 – 2024 – Former spokesperson and National Chairperson for Mobilization for the Socialist Party of Zambia (SP), Fr. Frank Bwalya, has refuted accusations made by Dr. Fred M’membe, the party’s Second Secretary General.

In a media briefing this morning, Bwalya denied claims that his departure from the Socialist Party was due to his association with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).

Dr. M’membe had suggested that Bwalya abandoned the Socialist Party after forming new alliances with the UPND, where he was appointed Director General for the Special Presidential Media Team.

However, Bwalya clarified that his decision to leave the party was based on disagreements with Dr. M’membe’s leadership and the party’s decision-making process.

Bwalya criticized the party’s internal procedures, citing the dissolution of the Copperbelt Provincial Leadership Committee without proper hearing.

He claimed that despite raising concerns, his input was dismissed by Dr. M’membe, who indicated that decisions were made by a select few.

Bwalya described the Socialist Party as functioning more like a private entity rather than a political organization adhering to socialist principles.

He stated that Dr. M’membe’s leadership style contradicted the party’s values of transparency and member involvement.

In response to allegations of personal gain, Bwalya emphasized that his departure was due to fundamental issues with the party’s operations, not personal disagreements or new political affiliations.

Bwalya’s comments have intensified scrutiny of the Socialist Party’s internal dynamics and leadership practices as Zambia approaches future electoral events.