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"where love is illegal"

Tiwonge Chimbalanga, Cape Town, South Africa. Nov. 25, 2014. Tiwonge Chimbalanga was arrested with her husband, Steven Monjeza Soko, in their home country of Malawi. They were both charged with buggery and permitting buggery, as well as with the offence of indecent practices between males in accordance with sections 153 and 156 of the Malawian Penal Code. Convicted, the two men were sentenced to the maximum penalty of fourteen years. According to the sentencing magistrate, the severity of the sentence was justified to protect Malawian society: 'I will give you a scaring sentence so that the public be protected from people like you, so that we are not tempted to emulate this horrendous example.' This judgement took place in spite of Malawi's own constitution and it being a signatory state to a number of human rights treaties. Thanks to international pressure, they were released, but on the condition Tiwonge and Steven did not see each other again. In fear of facing further persecution, Tiwonge fled to South Africa.