Steven Monjeza (L) and Tiwonge Chimbalanga sit in a pick-up
truck before appearing at a magistrate court in Blantyre Jan 4, 2010.
"I love Steven so much. If people or the world cannot give me
the chance and freedom to continue living with him as my lover,
then I am better off to die here in prison. Freedom without him is
useless and meaningless." – Chimbalanga, 20, wrote in a statement
released through human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Steven Monjeza, 26, and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, 20, walked free earlier this weekend after Malawi president Bingu wa Mutharika pardoned and ordered the release of the pair who were sentenced to 14-year prison with hard labour, the harshest their crimes could attract under Malawi laws. Sexual relations between males is illegal in Malawi and most of Africa.
The southeastern African country had faced international condemnation as the case was closely monitored by international human rights groups after news broke that the couple had been jailed (at different prisons) since their arrest in December 2009. According to media reports, the pair had attracted attention after holding an engagement ceremony which was visible to onlookers.
President Mutharika on Saturday announced the pardon on "humanitarian grounds only" during a press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Lilongwe, the capital.
"These boys committed a crime against our culture, against our religion, and against our laws. However, as head of state, I hereby pardon them and therefore order their immediate release without any conditions."
But he added, "We don't condone marriages of this nature. It's unheard of in Malawi and it's illegal."
Patricia Kaliati, Malawi's Minister of Gender and Children, told the BBC the men could be re-arrested if they continued their relationship.
"It doesn't mean that now they are free people, they can keep doing whatever you keep doing," she said.
AFP and The Guardian (UK) reports that the pair was reportedly forcibly separated and taken to their respective home villages after their release from prison and that there are fears of reprisals against both men.
Monjeza's family members said his partner would not be welcome in their village.
Kelvin Kaumira was quoted as saying in The Guardian that the community was "fuming" over the incident. "People here are furious," he said. "There are so many beautiful women in this village looking for a hand in marriage."
Zione Monjeza, an aunt of Monjeza, said: "Nobody wants to see Tiwonge again in this village. If he dares to come here, he must do so with police for his protection."
His uncle, Khuliwa Dennis Monjeza, made clear that Monjeza's partner should not seek a reunion with him. "The issue of the same-sex marriage is abnormal in our culture," he said.
"We want to warn his partner Tiwonge that he should never set his foot in this village ... otherwise we shall deal with him. Our name, history and culture cannot be spoiled with one child known as Steve."