Singer Mesho imprisoned 2 years over song mocking Islamic religion: Producer jailed
A controversial local singer Andison Alfred Chipwaila also known as Mesho has been convicted by First grade magistrate Asunta Muwalo in Blantyre for releasing the now banned song Mizikiti Ichoke which questions why Madrassah’s [a Muslim school, college, or university that is often part of a mosque] were introduced and why Muslims don’t eat Pork.
He further demands the demolition of all mosques in Malawi and let everyone eat pork freely.
Mesho was arrested after releasing the song and police slapped charges of intimidation which carries a maximum of five years or a K50 000 fine while the second count of uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings is considered a misdemeanor and attracts a maximum of one year imprisonment.
He was successfully prosecuted alongside the music producer Stephano Emmanuel for their respective roles in the making of the banned song.
In her ruling on Monday in Blantyre, Muwalo said mocking religion is the worst kind of mockery in the world and the actions of the two were damaging and sowed seeds of disharmony among Moslems and Adventists.
The court handed Chipwaila, who is the composer of the song, a two-year sentence for intimidation which is contrary to Section 88(1) (b) of the Penal Code and a further one year for writing words with intent to wound religious feelings contrary to Section 130 of the Penal Code.
Emmanuel, who was the second accused person in the case, has been penalised for his role in recording and releasing the song and has received one-year custodial sentences for each of the two counts.
Said Muwalo in her determination: “This judgment has been arrived at having considered all factors which were presented before the court and also bearing in mind that the two are first offenders. But we have also considered the deterrent effect the sentence will have on would-be offenders.”
Chipwaila, 29, comes from Binali Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkanda in Mulanje while Emmanuel, 25, comes from Samson Village, T/A M’biza in Zomba district.
Selective justice.
instead of arresting albino killers you are waisting your time kummanga ongoyimba nyimbo koma osapha muwamangetso omwe akupha anzathu achi alubinowa
All this happening is from reader ship . Full of shit kumipandoko /
Is kulakwa uku, why not arrest albino killers?
Mine is a suggestion that the censorship board should have the mandate to check all materials be it films,songs,shows and books for public consumption should first get authority of release just as is the case in Nigeria and other countries to avoid filling our jails because of ignorance.
Good thoughts
Peace can only prevail in our beloved nation if there is a fair and just judicial system. Bravo! to the judge that passed the verdict of Mesho case. We really need such caliber of professionals who stand for justice when and wherever it is due without taking sides. If Malawi can only stamp out corruption, in-justice, selfishness and envy, and foster the spirit of longing and togetherness…. we can really see the fruitfulness of our country.
This is not justice che Mussa. This man is suffering because of ignorance of the law. These matters should be dealt with by censorship boards and music associations. Not prisons.
I cant ignore your take on this issue. But to my knowledge the song was intended to provoke a section of the society in the country. Yes, censorship boards are to blame for letting such un-called for song to be produced anyway. But that is why law enforcers had to carry out their duty to reprimand the concerned artists to avoid breach of peace in wider communities around the country. And you cant call our law enforcers as ignorant of the law of the land for taking action on this issue. May be it sounded ok for some of you… Read more »
This is not a case of court ruling. there is no point of arresting an innocent soul. he may have done it out of ignorance or deliberately. I suppose the court to have remembered the rights of people. what the court has done is not an aspect of a democratised nation like Malawi. We have a democratic type of government but a dictatorship type of constitution. Let us review the constitution of Malawi to suit DEMOCRACY. The man Mesho was wrong but this is not a court case. He would have followed the democratic way but the judicial body itself… Read more »
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. All artists know that they’re supposed to submit their material ( be it music, books, films etc ) to the Censorship Board for “vetting ” before it is exposed to the general public for consumption. So Mr Richard Mnyayi, what’s that nonsense you have written here. Can’t understand it one lil bit. And what do you mean by ” Malawi is striving with civil unrest and governmental warfare “? Do you know what civil unrest is? Go to eastern DR Congo. Go to Somalia. Go to Central African Republic. Go to Syria. Go… Read more »
It’s good to sensitize this kind of people bro. Some people are good at playing around with words and phrases without real knowledge
Is he the same guy waimba yonyoza Asena??? Watitukwana kwambiri!!!
That is unfair. The law enforcers shoould also arrest a Muslim who sent a whatsapp message attacking Christians kuti amaseta /kupaka manyi while they themselves use water. That was derogatory statement. The guy should be traced and be arrested. Inu a MACRA do likewise to trace the guy. This Muslim has equally attacked our faith. Let there be justice.
Nanga chinalandila MK145m osachimanganso bwanji?