By Our Reporters:
There were two things in common in Blantyre, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Zomba cities and Mangochi District Thursday: Chilly weather and protests against same sex marriages.
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services indicated that chilly, foggy weather and rain drizzles would be the prevalent weather, with other cities getting partly sunny.
In Blantyre and Zomba, the weather oscillated between 12 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius, with Lilongwe recording 11 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius. In Mzuzu, on the other hand, the temperature was between 12 degrees and 17 degrees Celsius while Mangochi’s temperature was recorded at between 17 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius.
The other common thing were protests, which saw people, led by religious leaders, braving chilly weather to add their voice including members of Parliament and Alliance for Democracy president Enoch Chihana, joined the march.
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Chihana said his party is against same sex marriages, describing them as an abomination.
Receiving the petition on behalf of Parliament, Legal Affairs Committee Chairperson Yusuf Nthenda said the petition would go through all the necessary steps.
In the old capital of Zomba, security was tight as religious leaders led the faithful in demonstrations against same sex marriages.
The demonstrations started at 9:35am, with people turning up at Zomba Stadium at as early as 7am.
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Anti-same Sex Marriage Zomba Taskforce Chairperson Amos Yohane Tanaposi said they are against the idea of legalising same sex marriages.
Matawale Living Waters Bishop Botha Mateyu Phiri concurred; so did Ras Batawi Chilembwe, who said same sex marriage is a crime against humanity
The protest ended at the DC’s office, with office-bearer Reinghard Chavula getting a petition from those concerned.
In Mzuzu, demonstrations started at the Catholic Bishop’s residence to the DC’s office. They passed silently at Katoto Secondary School to avoid disturbing Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations candidates, who were answering questions.
In Mzimba, on the other hand, protesters delivered a petition at M’mbelwa District Council offices, having walked from Mnjiri Bridge.
In Mangochi District, Bishop Montfort Stima of the Diocese of Mangochi of the Catholic Church was among the protesters.
He asked development partners to respect the country’s culture and constitution by not attaching unacceptable conditions to their aid.
“On the other hand, the President [Lazarus Chakwera] and Cabinet should not give in to pressure by some organisations who want Malawi to legalise same sex marriages. If there is a need for change in any law relating to this, let the President call for a referendum instead of just using the courts or Parliament,” Stima said.
In his remarks, Mum Mangochi Chairperson Sheikh Fahadi Kansuli appealed to lawmakers to rebuff any bill pertaining to the legalisation of same sex marriage.
“If our MPs really represent us, they should not debate on any bill hinging on the legalisation of homosexuality. Homosexuality is evil,” Kansuli said.
The Mangochi demonstrations were organised by the Catholic Church, Mum, Quadria Muslim Association of Malawi, MCC and EAM.— Reporting by Mathews Kasanda, Chikondi Mitchaya, Deborah Madeya, Jarson Malowa, Yohane Symon, Blessings Gondwe & Samuel Kalimira
