A Malawian man, Davis Mpanda 29 has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for having sex with a 15-year old boy.
The Nation Newspaper of Malawi reported that Mpanda was arrested on January 25 at a trading centre near the commercial capital Blantyre, for having “carnal knowledge with a person against the order of nature.”
Lunzu Magistrate, Diana Kamwangala, said that same-sex is “a serious offence” in the country which criminalises homosexuality.
The Magistrate also noted that “such offences are on the rise in Malawi.”
“The offences are against Malawi’s moral values. The convict is an abuser because what he did to the juvenile is sexual corruption,” Magistrate Kamwangala said the ruling.
“Because of the psychological trauma which the boy will live with for the rest of his life, this court therefore sentences the convict to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour,” she said.
Deputy government spokesman, Kingsley Namakwa has said that gays must be more open – despite the fact they can be imprisoned for 14 years.
Speaking after a police arrested 21-year-old Peter Sawali for putting up gay posters in Blantyre, Namakhwa who is deputy information minister urged other gay people to come out.
“As far as the Malawi government is concerned we only have two gays in Malawi – Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga.
“If there are others, let them come out in the open.”
But he reiterated that any who did come would be arrested, in line with Malawi’s laws.
Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga have become the faces of gay equality in the African country after they were arrested for holding a traditional wedding ceremony in December.
They have twice been denied bail and are pleading not guilty to charges of gross indecency.
Their case is expected to resume soon and their lawyers are calling for a review of Malawi’s homosexuality laws, saying they violate the country’s constitution.
Sawali avoided jail for putting up the posters and is serving 60 days of community service.
Police are investigating how he obtained the posters. They believe he and other gay rights activists in Malawi may be sponsored by international organisations.