Though President Joyce Banda is working hard to drag Malawi out of the problems caused by her predecessor, many of the country’s arcane and oppressive laws are still active. This has landed a man in trouble when he lost his cool while trying to get his passport. The man threw a tantrum and blamed the state of the country’s services on the “stupidity and failure” of Malawi’s President, writes the Washington Post.
He was arrested and charged with “conduct likely to cause breach of the peace”, though it was specifically because he insulted the President - an offence in Malawi. The judge told him he must respect his elders and fined the man $44 or nine months in prison. But activists have long opposed laws that protect the President’s name and person, saying it runs counter to the constitutional freedom of expression.
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