LILONGWE – A 20-year-old woman appeared in a Lilongwe court yesterday after she was arrested for sharing a video clip with a WhatsApp group which the state says was aimed at ridiculing President Lazarus Chakwera.
The woman, identified as Chisomo Makala, is accused of sharing the video on a WhatsApp group for comedy fans.
Police traced her number to Chigwiri parish in Lilongwe, where she was arrested.
Yesterday she appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Montfort Misunje in Lilongwe, where she denied the charges against her and asked for bail.
However, the state wanted the woman remanded in custody as she has no permanent home and could easily flee. The state also expressed concerns that the woman may contact members of the WhatsApp group who are witnesses in the case.
But Makala said she lives with her mother in Chigwirizano and that’s where she can be found.
Magistrate Misunje granted the woman bail on the condition that she post a cash bond of K10,000, provide a traceable and reliable cash bond of K30,000 and report to the headquarters West Central Police every two weeks on Thursdays.
The hearing on the matter was adjourned to November 10 this year.
