Man arrested for insulting JB

Police in Chikhwawa on Saturday arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly insulting Malawi President Joyce Banda and her People’s Party (PP) supporters.

Chikhwawa Police Station spokesperson Sunday Ngulube confirmed the arrest of John William from Mbenderana Village, Traditional Authority Kasisi in the district.

William was arrested at Chikhwawa Boma after he allegedly showered the insults to PP director of women’s affairs (South) Jean Kamphale who was in the district to distribute party cloth.

Kamphale was not immediately available for a comment on the incident.

But Ngulube alleged the man was high on alcohol when he uttered the words and was arrested immediately by law enforcers who witnessed the incident.

He was due to appear in court on Monday afternoon.

Ngulube said William had been charged with an offence of conduct likely to cause breach of peace, a lesser offence which attracts a maximum sentence of K50 fine and three months imprisonment.

Last November, two women from Mwanza were arrested for allegedly insulting Banda and her party supporters. The arrest was heavily criticised by human rights organisations.

In 2010, five security guards were arrested in Lilongwe for allegedly calling the late president Bingu wa Mutharika names, when travelling in their own company vehicle.

However, a magistrate’s court freed the five guards due to lack of evidence from State that they insulted the late Mutharika.

The charge was premised on dictates of Section 4 of the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names Act.