“Not guilty” gay couple pleads in court
By Nyasa Times
Two gay men arrested in Malawi after getting engaged have pleaded “not guilty” to charges of “gross public indecency”. Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza appeared at Blantyre Magistrate Court On Wednesday after being held for two days in police cells.
“Not guilty” each of the two pleaded when the Magistrate formally charged them with gross public indecency contrary to section 156 of the Penal Code. Police said the gay couple could face further charges.
“I want the two to remain in custody for police to make thorough investigations,” police prosecutor Dickens Mwambazi told the court.
They however remain on remand and will be moved to Chichiri prison until Monday when their lawyers will apply for bail.
The pair held a traditional engagement ceremony over the weekend – believed to be the first same-sex couple in Malawi to do so.
Homosexuality carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in Malawi.
CEDEP’s executive director, Gift Trapence, says the laws used to arrest the couple are invalid because they are against the Bill of Rights enshrined in the 1995 constitution.
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