Zambia: Father Bwalya Accused of Fathering a Child, Lusaka Times, February 13, 2011

Zambia: Father Bwalya Accused of Fathering a Child

Lusaka Times
February 13, 2011

http://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/02/13/father-bwalya-accused-fathering-child/

Father Frank Bwalya places one his red ribbons on former MMD chairperson for Lands Judith Kapijimpanga when she defected to the opposition PF

CATHOLIC priest Fr Frank Bwalya has been accused of fathering a child with a woman he worked with while he was head of Radio Chengelo in Ndola.

Fr Bwalya, who has since abandoned his ecclesiastical responsibilities and is now head of a political association called Change Life Zambia, is said to have fathered the child with the named woman he employed at the radio station.

Sources at Chengelo Radio station in Ndola confirmed that Fr Bwalya is suspected to be the biological father of a male child with the woman, who has since been married to another clergyman.

When contacted for a comment on the revelations, Fr Bwalya could neither confirm nor deny the allegation.

When asked if it is true that he has a child in Kitwe, Fr Bwalya corrected the author saying: "You mean Ndola?"

Asked to confirm the allegation, Fr Bwalya said he had no comment.

When asked how he felt that some people are accusing him of having fathered a child, Fr Bwalya repeated: "No comment".

Asked if he knew the woman with whom he is alleged to have a child, Fr Bwalya just quipped: "I said no comment."

Sources in Ndola insisted that Fr Bwalya allegedly brought the named woman at the radio station and that the two had an affair.

"I have heard about it and according to what I have heard; Fr Bwalya has a child with one of the workers here. It was Fr Bwalya who facilitated her coming. She is now married to a bishop and that is all I know," the source said.

When contacted by phone, the woman with whom Fr Bwalya is accused of having a child refused to comment.

Asked if it is true she has a child with Fr Bwalya, the woman in apparent shock exclaimed: "What!" She then cut the line.

Further attempts to call her were futile as she did not answer the phone, which was eventually switched off.

The age of the child could not be established.

Fr Bwalya has formed Change Life Zambia as a platform to propagate his political messages, particularly those against the government.