BLANTYRE (MaraPost)—The Executive Director of Justice Link, Justin Dzonzi has described claims that Mangochi district is an Islamic State as both illegal and regrettable, arguing that there is no land in Malawi that is ruled by religious laws.
Dzonzi, who is a lawyer by profession, has since faulted Magistrate Jack Njikho’s judgment that went in favour of some Muslims who were against the sale of pork in the district, describing the ruling as unlawful and unconstitutional.
Last week, some Muslims protested the sale of pork and alcoholic beverages in the district claiming that the district is an Islamic state amid a court case where a businessman, Paul Msangwa drugged two Muslims for confiscating and burying the pig carcass he was selling at Maldeco market there.
Msangwa, who was claiming K85,000 compensation, lost the case on Monday this week.
Likewise, the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) has also described remarks that the district is an Islamic State as both regrettable and uncalled for, saying Malawi is one country, governed by one Constitutional.
“Malawi is one State, we cannot create two States. This is a secular nation and we must tolerate each other,” said MAM Chairperson Sheikh Mohammed Idrissa.
Business, according to Dzonzi, is guided by the council by-laws and it is not an offence for anyone to sell pork anywhere in the country as long as they follow the council by-laws.
“No one can be forced to follow the teachings of other religions. It is unfortunate and worrying to say Mangochi is an Islamic State,” said Dzonzi.
He also faulted the magistrate for failing to punish the accused persons although it was made clear that they confiscated and buried the complainant’s pork.
