Frank Bwalya

Who is Frank Bwalya?

Father Frank Bwalya is a Zambian political activist, enjoying support from opposition Patriotic Front.

He has held positions as Chairperson for Broadcasting for the Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zambia for 2007–2008, and he worked for Radio Icengelo in 2007.

He has had a number of brushes with the law, after suggesting that the presidential election was fraudulent.

He was arrested in March 2010 and charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace during a rally held to mark youth day in Kitwe north of the capital Lusaka.

Bwalya flashed a card painted red when he joined the celebrations - which police said signified a call to remove the government. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

Bwalya was charged with defamation following a radio broadcast in January 2014, where he referred to President Michael Sata as "chumbu mushololwa". The Bemba term refers to a sweet potato that breaks when it is bent and is used to describe someone who does not heed advice. He was acquitted on July 15th, 2014 with the court finding that he was merely exercising his right to free speech.