Suspected gay arrested in Mzuzu
Mzuzu police are quietly keeping in custody a suspected gay since Thursday last week apparently to avoid international attention.
Limbani Sibande, 24, was arrested and charged with gross indecency the same offence the famous gay couple of Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were charged with in 2010.
International pressure forced government to release Tiwonge and Steven.
Northern Region Police Public Relations Officer Peter Kalaya confirmed the arrest and the charges but declined to divulge more information.
When we tried to get more information on the arrest from National Police headquarters in Lilongwe, Public Relations Officer, James Kadadzera, confirmed the arrest but asked for more time to respond fully.
However, one of the officers who preferred anonymity told The Daily Times that the Sibande, was arrested because he was suspected to be a homosexual, which in Malawi is illegal and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
“We have charged Sibande with a withholding charge of Gross Indecency which is contrary to section 156 of penal code and the court remanded him at Mzuzu Prison on Friday,” said the police source
“The file is with Mzuzu Chief State Advocate because we have been told not to handle the matter. You remember President Peter Mutharika spoke something on the gay issues and it attracted international attention.
Sibande hails from David Sibande Village in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande, in Mzimba District.
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