Madalitso Kateta, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
Two top opposition politicians have been handed a 20-month jail sentence for utterances that could have incited violence during the Malawi elections this year. They are the United Democratic Front Secretary General Hopmally Makande and United Democratic Party President Kamlepo Kaluwa.
The Chief Resident Magistrate Nyakwawa Usiwa Usiwa said while the law provided for freedom of expression, the conduct of the two politicians was very irresponsible as they uttered their sentiments at a very critical political period.
“The two ought to have observed caution in uttering their campaign messages that might have incited violence and while the court notes that the late Masauko Chipembere and Chakufwa Chihana made similar utterances the ones made by the accused were very aggravating than that of the former and I therefore convict and sentence each one of you to 20 months in prison with hard labour.”
AfricaNews correspondent said Kaluwa known for his popularity and pomposity suddenly became depressed when the sentence was pronounced.
The two have made their intentions known to appeal.
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