Court sends Kamlepo, Makande to jail
Zomba Magistrate Court has given opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) deputy secretary general Hophmally Makande and Malawi Democratic Party (MDP) president Kamlepo Kalua a twenty month prison sentence
Makande was found guilty in an offence of proposing violence whilst Kalua was convicted for uttering seditious words.
The court heard that the offences were committed at the political rally of UDF during the closing of May 19 elections campaign in the lake side district of Mangochi.
Former president Bakili Muluzi addressed the rally.
The court established that the two politicians threatened that UDF would take the law into its own hands if Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) did not rescind its decision to bar Muluzi from the presidential race.
Mec barred Muluzi from contesting on grounds that he already served his maximum two five year consecutive constitutional terms.
Recently, Kamlepo warned the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that he will call for mass action if it continues to promote tribalism and regionalism.
“Next year (2010) if we see DPP manifesto is not implemented. If we see there is too much tribalism, too much regionalism as we have seen, I will come out and I will tell the people that this is not what we fought for, what we wanted,” said Kalua.
“I am a political heavyweight. I am the only one that can stand up to [President] Bingu wa Mutharika and say that this is nonsense. Nobody can stand up and say this Bingu is nonsense. I am the only one that would go and challenge Bingu,” said the vocal politician who was among pioneers who championed Malawi change from one party dictatorship to democracy.
“I am the only one that challenged Dr Bakili Muluzi. I am the only one that challenged Dr Kamuzu Banda and I marched in Blantyre to Sanjika,” he said.
Shaa mafia arrested? Cant believe this may be this is the jungle the Gorilla Warrior usually preach about.
Kamlepo ndi Bighead go and rest ku prison. U are a tired, spent politician, if u dnt agree with e gvt there are proper channels for u to follow not inciting political violence or asking pple to go and march, u know that causes problems anthu achamba, mbava amapezela njira yonongela katundu wa anthu osalakwa.
Muluzi mumanamizana naye akakhala nanu ku ndende? mukanasiya ndale muzisamala zidzukulu ku kaya, nanga ku ndende mukalera ndani?
I hope jail shuts ur dirty mouth.
They got what they wanted. I hope they will not be involved in fights fighting 4 unyapala like the one between Naser Kara and Clive Macholowe. Sory to the families
Malawi politics at its best. Nachipanti was killing people, corruption at road traffic and immigration etc etc, no court has found these guilty. But because one said he is the only one that can challenge Bingu, the case is rushed and people are sentenced. Shame to our courts.
no.the crime was committed long time ago ma friend.
You have a point my dear.
Zonse zikuoneka ndipo zonse kwa aliyense zitheke basi ngati walakwira malamulo.
In true democracies, there is absolutely no case there. Which judge officiated the proceedings? Hope the appeal will reverse the ruling, unfair trial at best; shame Malawi democracy!
The beginning of political prisoners in Malawi!!!
Which political prisoners? Man/woman, be sober when commenting. Even you, when a little child insults you in the house, dont you discipline them? We are a cultured nation no matter what one thinks. Even the Bible talks so much on what we need to do to elected leaders. Its high time we contributed based on real tangible facts and not otherwise. As regards the magistate being pro DPP, that is not an issue. All Malawians regardless of their profession, align themseleves with a political party. But when it comes to issues to do with one’s profession, they handle it as such. We dont have to remind each other of incidents know to have happened in the same Zomba when injunctions were being issued in bed. Was that professionalism or party politics?
Zinazi kumakhululuka. Why not give them community service for 3 months, for example? Aaaa, iyayi court laonjeza pamenepa. Kulakwa analakwa, koma such political crimes were commited in the heat of the campaign. I hop the appeal will commit them to a community service or a suspended sentence.
On a different note, the story lack details. Who is their lawyer? Did he/she say anything about appealing? Who was the magistrate? What was his basis of the decision? Please give us details in your stories you guys. Of course I am not saying the stories should be long, am only asking for the relevant details. I hope am not asking for too much.
justice system ya pa malawi yokondela kwambiri, anthu okuba ndalama ku OPC are not arrested but those who say something against govt at the meetings are going to jail, koma ziliko?
always do not talk much to achieve.much talking hinders oh its sad.But that was 2 much justice has followed, if there is forgiveness in politics it should follow suit