THE burial ceremony for the late Chifubu Constituency Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament Benson Bwalya was yesterday disrupted after some youths threatened to beat and block ‘rebel’ opposition parliamentarians’ spokesperson Peter Machungwa from addressing the mourners.
Mr Bwalya, 50, who died on Sunday after an illness was buried yesterday at Ndola’s Kansenshi Cemetery.
Confusion started after a group of PF youths led by Copperbelt Province youth chairperson Menyani Zulu threatened to beat Dr Machungwa, after he said that some PF leaders who were persecuting the late MP were now creating a picture that they loved him.
Dr Machungwa continued with his speech after a combined team of State and council police blocked Mr Zulu and PF cadres from attacking him as PF vice-president Guy Scott and a group of his party members decided to leave the tent.
He said Mr Bwalya was a fearless MP, who would be missed not only by the people of Chifubu but his colleagues in Parliament.
[pullquote]Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.[/pullquote]
“As PF MPs attending the National Constitutional Conference we have been living under constant threats and I am not surprised with what is happening here,” Dr Machungwa said.
Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba described the late MP as a bridge-builder who stood for unity and deserved to be emulated by all.
Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.
And parliamentary delegation leader, Mwembeshi MP Edward Kasoko said Mr Bwalya, who was a member of the select committee on agriculture and lands since 2006, served the people of Chifubu in Parliament with honour and diligence.
“He would be missed for his focused and well researched contributions in Parliament,” Mr Kasoko said.
At the Ndola City Council chamber, council chaplain Augustine Mwewa called on members of the public and the extended family members to ensure that no property was grabbed from the widow and the surviving child.
Chifubu Catholic Church priest Anthony Salangeta said during church service that politicians should see to it that the violence which characterised the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election recently did not repeat itself during the forthcoming Chifubu by-election.
Mr Bwalya, a retired soldier, was elected Chufubu MP in 2006.
He is survived by a wife and one child.
[Times of Zambia]
Sometimes I wonder why people praise all dead people. If a person was bad just say he was bad there is nothing wrong in saying that. If he was good say he was good. If he was a thief say he was a thief. If he has died from AIDS say AIDS has taken him. I just wonder why we always praise people at their barial.
🙂 Ati ngawafikako 50 years pa Zed ninshi walipalwa mune. Kanshi chachine
Anyway the good die young MHSRIP.
[-o<
Is every one with a divergent view naughty? KAYA Zambian politics. To me it appears like the politicians in the opposition are no better than the charlatans in government. It’s a case of they have chewed a lot let us also chew.
Typical PF insensitve kaponyas.
When Levy was alive, he was called a Cabbage, autopilot, etc… by PF cadres and leaders. Now that he is dead, he is their hero! When Benson Bwalya was alive he was called a rebel MP, an opportunist, a betrayer of the party, etc… but now PF want to refer to him as a hero!
African opposition politics is like monkeys in a tree!
Together we mourn
please politicians just mourn and stop politicking during funerals.. there is a season for everything Ec3
very typical of PF ,always fighting…no wonder ministers are firing guns at your a.s.s.e.s in serenje!
Machungwa should have delivered a funeral messege not a political messege at a funeral,yes the PF cadres were in order to attempt to beat him.People should learn to realise that a funeral is not a campaign fora:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t:-t
MHSRIP Blogging a bout a dead person is un cultural.A subject about the people of Chifubu.
Who crips off people of this Dr. title? they should do so on Machungwa. He is not a Dr but an *****. Insteady of wrinting Dr. Machungwa, we should be writing ido. Machungwa. ido is a Prefix for *****. It seems MMD cadres on this blog will never stop charging anyone with contempt for having different views. Vigilant PF cadres were in order to block this disgrutled guy from bring a political meeting at a funeral house.
where ever you see ****** in #10, I wrote. i.d.i.o.t becouse that is what he is and LT is sheeilding the truth by sensoring this. Is the word i.d.i.o.t an insult in LT’s dictinary? Shame!
PF’s Guy Scott produced a nice statement. Anyway, I shall miss the late’s contribution to Parlimant including himself.
Be blest all.
_
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you
#7 are u normal or what?its interesting to know how some pipo think…anyway i dont blame u.
Menyani afuno menya machungwa. Hahaha! I’m sure Katele would say it’s chimbuya.
I wonder what we can do as Zambians to stop these political fights breaking out at funerals and campain rallies. We have come very far as a peace loving nation but if some of these so called cadres are not educated on respecting people with divergent political views the whole country will be divided and thrown into total chaos.
Maybe its time the ministry of education had a second look at subjects like Social studies and Civics in schools to stop such acts of thuggery. It is disgusting to break into a fight when others are mourning a loved one. Please have respect!
don’t scatter roses after am gone..Machungwa wechinangwa wee..