Malawi’s senior judges are currently studying the wording of a new bill and while they do the whole country is holding its breath. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they are holding everything. The new Public Decency Bill has been said by the Justice Minister George Chaponda to criminalise flatulence, meaning it would now be an offence to “break wind” in public.
A storm is brewing. His remark on local radio that you should “just go to the toilet if you feel like farting” have led to much debate over the exact wording of the Local Courts Bill.It says “Any person who vitiates the atmosphere in any place so as to make it noxious to the public to the health of persons in general dwelling or carry on business in the neighbourhood or passing along a public way shall be guilty of a misdemeanour.” Local chiefs will be responsible for dealing with informers.
It has led to heated debate as to how a culprit will be identified. Perhaps they should add “Who smelt it dealt it” to the small print of the bill… It would certainly be an unusual way to get a Criminal Record.
