A political activist in Malawi appeared in court on Wednesday charged with ridiculing the president.
Manice Hale was arrested after she insinuated on social media that the President, Peter Mutharika was dishonest and demented.
President Mutharika had warned in the past that who ever insults him risks facing the law. The latest arrest and prosecution of Hale is seen as an enforcement of that threat.
The activist also known as Abinti Manice is the niece of the president’s elder brother, the late president, Bingu wa Mutharika.
She has been released on bail of $250 and ordered to hand over her passport. That means she is banned from traveling outside the country until the trial is over.
The trial resumes in September, according to Hale’s lawyer, Chikosa Silungwe.
There is much interest in the case because of the profile of the suspect who is a member of the new opposition UTM party.
The party has demanded her freedom with a message on Twitter.
FREE MANICE ABITI WILLIAM NOW#FreeAbitiManice pic.twitter.com/r63lPGu1DY
— United Transformation Movement (@UTM_Mw) August 21, 2018
The party was formed after Vice-President, Saulos Chilima left the governing party. He has since declared his intention to run for President in next year’s elections.
Chilima said there was high level of corruption and nepotism within the party.
Peter Mutharika is currently facing corruption allegations which he has described as ‘fake news’.
Source: Africafeeds.com
