Same-sex marriages issue ruffle some feathers at Malawi running mates’ final debate
The topic of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) ruffled feathers during the Tuesday presidential running mates final debate with participants differing on what their governments would do once elected into power about the minority group.
The debate was organised by private-owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) and tackled sticky issues that produced varying responses from the panellists who included Sidik Mia (Malawi Congress Party –MCP), Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo (United Democratic Front- UDF) and Dr Micheal Usi (UTM Party).
Ruling Democrtaic Progressive Party (DPP) running mate Everton Chimulirenji shunned again the third debate after ducking other contests in Lilonge and Blantyre in previous weeks because his party’s stand is not to participate in any elections live debate.
At Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu on Tuesday night, marverick debate moderator Joab Frank Chakhaza brought the emotive issue of same-sex marriages or homosexuality.
The issue of LGBTI remains quite sensitive in Malawi and is outlawed with a maximum of a 14 year jail term.
While UTM party’s Michael Usi was for a national “referendum,” UDF runningmate Mwenifumbo, and MCP’s Mia said they would not entertain the phenomenon if voted into power, saying they will let the law take its course.
“UTM is a people party. My voice will not be a panacea for Malawians. Malawians will have to discuss….yes, a referendum will do,” Usi said.
“If they say yes, then we will go that way. If not, then we won’t. So, for us, we will have a people referendum,” UTM running mate added.
On his part, Mwenifumbo described the issue of LGBTI as “un-Malawian.”
“Democracy is a culture. But the issue of LGBTI is not in our culture. It is a foreign phenomenon. We will not be dictated about by the West to support something that is not in our culture,” said Mwenifumbo.
And MCP’ Mia said his party would not allow people of the minority sexual orientation in the country.
“I do not subscribe to that at all. If they cross the floor they will be arrested,” said Mia.
Mia felt the LGBTI community is in minority, hence, a referendum would not be a fair arrangement , as it is a forgone conclusion that homosexuality will be rejected.
Earlier, host Chakhaza led the audience in wishing Mwenifumbo a happy birthday.
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Nay! Someone should tell you big man and ngongoliwa that this is not Sodom .Ati yawa ukakamila utchisi zoona abambo akulu kulu mulufuna kukwata manyi ndiye kumtimako mbeee ha sisimen chitani manyaze ndimwe akulu ka
Chilima is showing lack of maturity and decisiveness by clinging to a position and salary which he does not work for. He is demonstrating the highest level of cowardice and double standardness by not quitting the vice presidency. So too, his running mate Usi is already showing signs of immaturely by not directly condemning gayism. Chilima and Usi are therefore NOT MATURED ENOUGH and are NOT READY to govern this country. We are not ready for UTM babies who seem like they shall be ruling by try and error. The matured DPP is the onl answer to all this. UTM… Read more »
No need to debate about gay issue its alien ideology we africans are not gays period.
Europeans cannot impose such stupid things on Arab countries but they take advantage of stupid people like Usi and Chilima. European countries cannot tell Trump and Americans to abolish the death sentence. We shouldn’t accept zopusa ngati izi. Mugabe told homosexuals that they are worse than dogs and pigs. Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba is one of them. From 1990-2014 amatani?
Mr Ussi, here you’ve goofed big time, sometimes trying to be clever has the effect of achieve the opposite.
Inu mukuti kuyankha mwa nzeru osaziwa kuti anthu akupakani choko. Apa mwaonetsa kuti your party will kowtow the so-called donors. It appears you’re too desperate to please azungu at the expense of your faith and people, shame on you!!!
I see no issue here to fume about, sexual orientation is ones wish, amuna awiri kapena akazi awiri akukwatana, ine zindinyung’unye?
kkkkkkkk a Usi… basi mwaonesa kupwambwana apa. mukufuna muzizatitaisa nthawi ndima by elections plus referendums mmalo moyangana chitsogolo. Nkhani yama gay is a foregone conclusion that Malawians are not party to, period! You have let your boss Chilima down on this one. Mwanyula bwana!!!
The same old problem, lie to get votes instead of calling a spade a spade.
Ladies and gentlemen, lets not get into the habit of legislating the bedroom. What is important is adult consent, full stop. Otherwise if you want to be the moral police then also arrest those that commit adultery, have sex before marriage or even engage is masturbation.
Someone should tell Mia that this is not Saudi Arabia or the isis caliphate where gays are thrown to death from their rooftops.
If a man is confident in his own manhood, he worries not about the neighbor being gay.
Go and tell Mia yourself chikala. Who told you that we have problems with whatever you do in private? The problem arises when you want to show your donors that their money is working, you start to show off your nasty asses in public. So if you feel good with ass insertion, go to the Netherlands or wherever it is legal, Malawi is not for gay show offs.
You sound like a simple fellow with shallow thinking. I guess we should stone all the gays right? Perhaps even kill them in public?
What a stupid ideology
Mwenefumbo and Mia have shown real maturity in this debate n how I wish if UDF could as well join MCP to run the affairs of this country for the betterment of all Malawians as from may 23. U have my vote