Msonda’s ‘kill gays’ case back in Malawi High Court

Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politician Ken Msonda will this Thursday be in High Court to hear the determination of Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda on whether his case of “kill homosexuals” remarks he made on his Facebook page should be heard as a constitutional case.

Two leading activists  on minority rights – Gift Trapence and Timothy Mtambo – applied to court for judicial review after Director of Public Prosecution had discontinued the matter.

The two exhibited to the court the Facebook post and a transcript of a radio interview with Joy Radio in which Msonda repeatedly said homosexuals had no rights in Malawi and they deserve to be killed.

Lawyer Mwiza Nkhata representing the two activist said Chief Justice will certify whether  the matter is a constitutional; matter which must be handled by a panel of  three judges.

After Msonda’s post on the social media Facebook, Malawi Law Society (MLS) issued a statement that demanded investigation by authorities on the remarks he made.

The lawyers’ body asked Malawi Human Rights Commission and the police to investigate the matter and take an appropriate action. MLS said Msonda’s remarks bordered on hate speech.

Msonda maintains: “ I stand by what I said and I will repeat it in court—homosexuals have no rights in Malawi and that is why they are being arrested.”