Refleksi : Bagi yang suka sejenis, jangan main ke Malawi, hukumannya bisa 
sangat berat.

http://www.capetimes.co.za/?fArticleId=5479351

Gay couple sentenced to 14 years hard labour
May 21, 2010 Edition 1 

RAPHAEL TENTHANI Sapa-AP 

BLANTYRE: A magistrate sentenced a couple to the maximum 14 years in prison 
with hard labour under Malawi's anti-gay legislation, and crowds jeered the two 
men as they were driven to jail yesterday. 

The harsh sentence for unnatural acts and gross indecency had been expected 
after the same magistrate convicted Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza 
earlier this week under laws dating from the colonial era. 

The case has drawn international condemnation and sparked a debate on human 
rights in this conservative southern African country. 

Chimbalanga, a 20-year-old hotel janitor, and his unemployed partner were 
arrested on December 27, the day after they celebrated their engagement at the 
hotel where Chimbalanga worked - an apparent first in Malawi. 

"Maximum sentences are intended for use for worst cases," magistrate Nyakwawa 
Usiwa Usiwa said as he delivered his sentence. "We are sitting here to 
represent the Malawi society which I do not believe is ready at this point in 
time to see its sons getting married to other sons or conducting engagement 
ceremonies." 

The lawyer for the two, Mauya Msuku, said they would appeal. 

Chimbalanga was composed as police officers handcuffed him to Monjeza. "I am 
not worried," he told reporters as they were taken to a police vehicle. 

Monjeza broke down upon hearing the ruling and was still sobbing as he was 
helped into the van. Hundreds of onlookers inside and outside the court house 
showed little sympathy. 

Many shouts of "You got what you deserve!" were heard. 

Michelle Kagari, deputy Africa director of Amnesty International, called the 
sentence "an outrage". 

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