Religious leaders’ outcry over gay moratorium in Malawi

Religious leaders are expected to speak out against government decision to bow down to donor pressure to allow same sex marriages.

Last week, the powerful and vocal religious leaders asked the government not to relent on its crack down on homosexuals despite serious condemnations from donors and international community.

Pastor Zacheas Kawalala set the tone last week along with a member of Malawi Council of Churches, a grouping of Presbyterian and Pentecostal churches, who asked the authorities to continue arresting those involved in homosexuality.

The Catholic Church and Muslims have in the past made their stand clear, Malawi should not have same sex marriages, and it is unGodly.

Traditional leaders have also condemned homosexuality in Malawi describing it as alien.

The debate follows the arrest of Cuthbert Kulemeka, 19 and Kelvin Gonani, 33 who were arrested, charged and detained on gay sex grounds.

They risked jail term of up to 14 years hard labour for having sex “against the order of nature.”

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu has since ordered the drop of the charges of the two, saying Malawi is a signatory to international laws that allow homosexuality.

The US, the United Kingdom and Germany all raised their voices against the arrest of Kulemeka and Gonani, saying they were subjected to inhumane testing of their anus.

However Tembenu said the state would punish anyone who forces another person in homosexuality.

He said there were reports that Gonani forced himself into Kulemeka and when Kulemeka threatened to scream out for help in Gonani’s house, Gonani threatened to shout as well to tell people that Kulemeka was a thief.

Justice Minister further said Kulemeka was enticed with K30 000.

Tembenu added that the Malawi government acknowledges the viewpoint that no one should be arrested on the grounds of their sexuality or gender identity, and re-committed to reviewing the country’s anti-gay laws.

However, he added that any law review would be carried out “in consultation with the people of Malawi as prescribed by the Constitution”.