Nankhumwa requests Chakwera to pardon Mussa, Kunje

Malawi: Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, has appealed to President Lazarus Chakwera to pardon Mussa John, a 19-year-old man convicted of possessing Indian Hemp (Chamba), and former MEC Commissioner Linda Kunje, who was convicted of obstructing a presidential convoy in 2020.

Nankhumwa stated that it is not his intention to argue whether John is innocent or not, but rather that John's case did not warrant a conviction but rather a fine.

Reads part of his statement: "Malawians are asking: were the other people set free because they are well off in the society and capable of paying the fines? This is where people think there could have been an injustice and that you are the only one who can equalize this perceived injustice. Apart from being a teenager, Mussa John had the responsibility of looking after his old mother and a sister with disabilities. He may just be a teenager who did not have full knowledge of the consequences of his actions.”

Nankhumwa stated that Kunje must have learned her lesson and that she will not find herself in similar situations in the future.

Commenting on the matter, Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Gospel Kazako, had this to say: "There is a set process to be followed for the State President to pardon anybody. There are provisions therein. We are monitoring and looking at the decisions made by the courts on matters of similar nature. Whether we agree or we don't agree with the rulings, at the end of it all, courts are independent and if we declare our position on these matters we can easily be charged of interfering with court processes. We prefer to let the courts be independent," he explained.

Mussa John is currently incarcerated at Chichiri Prison for three years, while Linda Kunje is incarcerated at Zomba Maximum Security Prison for 18 months.