A nurse in the southern African nation of Malawi is behind bars for reportedly insulting Lazarus Chakwera, the country’s president, via a WhatsApp conversation.
Police has since slapped cyber harassment charges against Chidawawa Mainje, 39, the nurse who works at Ntcheu District Hospital, following her arrest on April 30.
Mainje’s trouble began when she made some controversial comments about President Chakwera’s handling of the country’s economic situation, in a WhatsApp group.
The comments by this Malawian nurse annoyed a member of the WhatsApp.
This member took a screenshot of Mainje’s comments, shared it with a well-connected politician.
The politician then reported Mainje to police, brandishing the screenshot as evidence that the nurse had insulted President Chakwera.
Harry Namwaza, the deputy spokesperson of Malawi’s National Police, confirmed Mainje’s arrest and the cyber harassment charges instituted against her.
Mainje becomes the second person to be arrested for insulting a top government official in a WhatsApp chat in a space of one week.
Police recently arrested Dauka Manondo, 51, for reportedly insulting labor minister Vera Kamtukule.
President Chakwera’s administration has been criticized for failing to deal with the high cost of living, corruption, nepotism and unemployment, with protests being held over these challenges in 2021, just a year after the Christian preacher took power.
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