Frank Bwalya defends HH over Chipo ‘parading,

By BARNABAS ZULU

FRANK Bwalya has come to the defence of President Hakainde Hichilema, scuttling assertions that he embarrassed and humiliated his policy advisor, Ms Chipo Mwanawasa, by asking her to publicly dispel rumours about her alleged pregnancy.
In an open letter addressed to Ms. Thandiwe Kitis Ngoma, on November 12, 2024, Mr. Bwalya, who serves as the Director-General for Media under the UPND Presidential Support Programme (PSP), defended President Hichilema’s actions as a necessary step to protect Ms. Mwanawasa from harmful propaganda.
Mr Bwalya criticised Ms. Ngoma’s letter as politically motivated and misleading, asserting that Mr Hichilema’s intervention was an act of responsibility, not disrespect.
The controversy arose following a public address by President Hichilema at the Lusaka Multi-Facility Economic Zone, where he addressed rumours about Ms Mwanawasa being pregnant.
During the event, the President invited Ms. Mwanawasa to stand before the audience and directly refute the rumours, a move that some observers and human rights activists have criticised as undignified.
But Mr. Bwalya expressed confusion at Ms. Ngoma’s profound dismay and anger over the incident, saying; “I find it puzzling that such a response arose from a video where the President defended a young woman subjected to malicious and hurtful propaganda.”
He said Mr Hichilema’s message was clear that the country must grow beyond the spread of destructive rumours.
“President Hichilema expressed frustration at the malicious rumours and emphasised his commitment to protecting individuals’ reputations, even if that meant defending Ms. Mwanawasa’s honor publicly,” Mr. Bwalya said. “He reiterated that he was willing to tolerate personal attacks but would not allow innocent people to be dragged through the mud.”
Mr. Bwalya also criticised Ms. Ngoma for what he perceived as an unjust attack on the President’s actions, arguing that she was attacking the person who came to the defence of Ms. Mwanawasa rather than those who spread the malicious rumours.
“You have presented yourself as someone who criticises the rescuer rather than the perpetrator,” Mr. Bwalya said, adding that Ms. Ngoma’s letter seemed to have an ulterior political motive.
Mr Bwalya also refuted the claim that President Hichilema was only protecting his public image. “This assertion is unfounded,” Mr. Bwalya said. “President Hichilema defended Ms. Mwanawasa against vile rumours; there was no personal scandal to protect, only an attempt to shield an innocent person from harm.”
He also rejected the idea that the president had exposed Ms. Mwanawasa to further scrutiny by having her stand before the public.
“The rumours had already tarnished her name publicly, and President Hichilema’s intervention was aimed at dispelling these falsehoods,” Mr. Bwalya explained.