Msonda’s ‘kill gays’ case discontinued: SG says Malawi not ready to change anti-gay laws

The case against People’s Party (PP) publicity and administrative secretary Ken Msonda where he was accused of inciting violence against homosexuals has been discontinued.

Msonda was dragged to court by Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) for remarking that gays should be killed.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale applied to court for the discontinuance of the case and the High Court has discharged Msonda.

Judiciary spokesman Malenga Mvula confirmed that the case has been thrown out following the DPP application but did not disclose the reasons.

Msonda described Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people as being worse than dogs and that gays and lesbians were “sons and daughters of the devil”.

“Arresting them won’t address this problem because sooner or later they are being released on bail. The best way to deal with this problem is to KILL them!,” Msonda reportedly posted on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Solicitor General and secretary for Justice Janet Banda, has  said  Malawi government position on maintaining anti-gay laws “has not changed.”

Banda said that government allows debate on the matter so that people are more informed.

She said during a meeting government officials held with United States Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI persons, Randy Berry,  Malawi officials  made obligations to “prevent violence against the LGBTI community, to facilitate access to medical and health car.”

Banda however said the general consensus at the moment is that Malawi is not ready to change its laws and embrace homosexuality.

Berry, who said he was not in Malawi to convince the government to accept homosexuality, but to support and encourage the end of discrimination against LGBTI,   stressed that Malawi needs to allow debate on the issue for people to understand homosexuality issues, saying that the debate will only allow people to open up and end homophobia.

Under the current law, those found guilty of homosexuality in Malawi, could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison with hard labour.