A man in Malawi has been found guilty of insulting President Lazarus Chakwera by posting a TikTok video featuring an animated character with the president’s face, performing dance moves.
Sainani Nkhoma was convicted by a court on Thursday for posting a TikTok video and derogatory comments about President Lazarus Chakwera on a community WhatsApp group in the central town of Mponela.
Members of the group reported him to the ruling Malawi Congress Party, leading to his arrest on Tuesday night.
Judge Talakwanji Mndala deemed Nkhoma’s actions inappropriate. Sentencing is scheduled for next week, with a potential fine of approximately $3,500 or a six-year prison term.
Chakwera assumed the presidency in 2020 after a re-run of the 2019 presidential poll, ordered by Malawi’s Constitutional Court due to widespread irregularities in the initial election results. Upon his victory, Chakwera expressed his joy, stating, “I’m so happy I could dance all night.”
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