Steven Monjeza, who was freed after being sentenced to 14 years for being gay, says he was promised cash by partner to get engaged; moves in with a woman
Steven Monjeza, who was freed after being sentenced to 14 years for being gay, says he was promised cash by partner to get engaged; moves in with a womanu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
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| Straight forward: Chimbalanga (R)and Monjeza (L) have now split after, the latter said he was with a woman. The couple were convicted of engaging in gay sex under a law dating back to colonial rule by Britain and later received a presidential pardon. File pic/AFP |
A Malawian man sentenced to 14 years in prison for homosexuality and who was later pardoned says he got involved with another man because he was promised money.
Steven Monjeza (26) said that he met Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20) a week before Christmas at a bar. But according to court records, the two were together for five months before that.
Monjeza says Chimbalanga promised him money to participate shortly after Christmas in an engagement ceremony that led to their arrest.
Monjeza would not say why he waited to make claims he could have used in his defence during the trial. There have been fears since their release the couple could be attacked by homophobes.
Monjeza told Malawi's Nation newspaper that he had been coerced into the gay relationship, and was now with a woman named Dorothy Gulo, whom he has moved in with.
When freed last month, the couple were taken separately to their home villages.
Curious lover The pair were warned they faced re-arrest if they continued their relationship.
Gulo was also interviewed by the newspaper and said, "I'd heard about men getting involved in a sexual relationship. I was curious so I accepted him."
Asked about Monjeza's former partner, she said, "I'm scared he is going to beat me up."
Human rights advocate Peter Tatchell, who campaigned for Chimbalanga and Monjeza's release, said anti-gay pressure had split the "star-crossed lovers".
"It is a tragedy that homophobic threats and abuse have forced this couple apart," he said. "They were deeply in love. The pressure has got to Steven."
There was condemnation from around the world for Malawi's anti-homosexuality laws after the pair were jailed for "gross indecency".
Under pressure from donor countries, Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika granted them a pardon, citing humanitarian grounds.
His announcement followed a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who praised the decision as courageous.
However, the Presidentu00a0 was recently reported as saying the couple's acts were disgusting.
