Malawi: Court Jails Gays for 14 Years

20 May 2010
allAfrica.com

A Blantyre magistrate has sentenced a gay couple to 14 years' imprisonment with hard labour for "unnatural acts" and "gross indecency" - the maximum possible sentence allowed by the colonial-era law under which they were convicted.

Star Radio fm reported that magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa imposed the sentences on Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Muonjeza on Thursday. They were arrested last December after holding a traditional engagement ceremony, which is recognised as a civil marriage in Malawi.

Their defence lawyer said he would appeal against the court's decision.

Reporting on the jailing, the radio station said it showed that "gays don't have a place in Malawi society."

Agence France-Presse reported the magistrate as telling the men: "Malawi is not ready to see its sons getting married to its sons."

He said the long prison term was imposed to protect the public "from people like you" and so others "are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example."

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