Malawi court convicts man for Mutharika insult

The Balaka First Grade Magistrate Court in eastern Malawi has ordered a 60-year-old man to pay a fine of K3, 000 or in default serve three months imprisonment with hard labour for insulting President Peter Muthatika and denigrating him.

Police Prosecutor Constable Christopher Nyirongo told the court that the suspect Alinafe Paul, committed an offence on August 31 at Kanyumbaka village in the district.

“The suspect was coming from the garden when he found a grader grading the earth road past his village.

“The suspect then started accusing the President of why he thought of grading the earth road during the dry season which was making a lot of dust.

“He ended up calling the President all thoughts of names a development that annoyed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sympathizers who reported the matter to police,” said Nyirongo.

The suspect pleaded guilty to the charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace which is contrary to section 181 of the Penal code.

In his submission before sentence, Constable Nyirongo said the State President needs to be respected by everyone because he is a leader of the country regardless of one’s political affiliation.

He therefore asked the court to consider giving the suspect a stiffer sentence so that it should be a lesson to would-be offenders.

In mitigation, the suspect pleaded for forgiveness saying that he insulted the President thinking that things are just the same as it was during the campaign period when the President could be insulted anyhow.

He therefore apologized to all those he offended.

Passing judgment, First Grade Magistrate Felix Mandala said it was surprising that at his age, the suspect could insult the State President.

He said he has given him such a sentence considering that he pleaded guilty and showed remorse.

The convict has since paid the fine.