MALAWI POLICE HUNT FOR GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Following the conviction of a man for putting up pro-gay rights posters, Malawi police are continuing their hunt for the man they believe is behind the campaign, reports the PANA news service.

Peter Sawali (21) pleaded guilty to a charge of conduct that could lead to a “breach of the peace” and was sentenced to two months of community service cleaning the Magistrate’s Courts in Blantyre.

Police believe, however, that another man has been recruiting people, including Sawali, to distribute leaflets and posters advocating equality for gays and lesbians.

“We suspect he could be a link for international gay rights groups,” police spokesman Dave Chingwalu told PANA.

Sawali had told police during his interrogation that man who claimed to work for the pro-democracy Nanzikambe Arts Theatre group had given him the material to distribute. The authorities have, however, thus far not been able to find the man named by Sawali.

Two other men, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, are currently on trial in Malawi for getting engaged in a symbolic public ceremony. They have been charged with ‘unnatural practices between males and gross public indecency’ and face 14 years in prison if found guilty.