NO WIND IN THE AIR OO

‘Farting’ Gvt Minister admits mistake
By Steven Dumisani Mkandla

(Lilongwe)One of Malawi’s greatest judicial experts and also the country’s Justice minister who was obsessed with ‘farting’ and vehemently advocated a statutory ban on public farting in Malawi has admitted he made an error of interpretation on the country’s law on air-pollution.

“Malawians should be able to control their gas other than releasing it in public….We are entitled to introduce order in the country,” Justice Minister Dr George Chaponda (pictured-right) had argued early in February.

“Would you like it yourself, that people should be farting in public everywhere?” Chaponda asked a radio presenter recently.

Farting ban
“I think the government has a right to ensure decency,” he was quoted by Nyasa Times as saying.

The minister said government wants to mould citizens to be responsible and disciplined other than just urinating in public or farting.
Chaponda had also argued that similar laws were in place in countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. “Have you gone to Singapore, have you gone to Malaysia? If you go to Malaysia and chew your chewing-gum and throw it in the street you will be arrested,” he said. “You can control your farting. Why not go to toilet instead of farting in public,” Chaponda said adding that the law was already in place as part of the archaic colonial laws and that the special law commission has been reviewing them.

However, facing embarrassment the minister soon changed his ‘legal’ position regarding farting and withdrew his bid for the ban sighting an error of judgment on the law. The learned justice minister agreed with a prolific lawyer who challenged him that what the clause says by “fouling air” does not in effect translate to farting or breaking the wind. Quoted by Nyasa Times, Lawyer Anthony Kamanga said:

“How any reasonable or sensible person can construe the provision to criminalising farting in public is beyond me.” (ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

‘Farting’ Minister still in Malawi’s government
By A Correspondent

Published: April 9, 2012

Comment

(Lilongwe)One of Malawi’s greatest judicial experts, and a government minister, accused of being obsessed with ‘farting’ for his recent legislative motion for a nationwide ban on public-farting in Malawi, has retained his position in government despite the death of former president Bingu Wa Mutharika.

Dr George Chaponda has retained his ministerial position as Education Minister despite his earlier plans to impeach Malawi’s new president Joyce Banda.

As late as November last year, Chaponda moved a in parliament motion to impeach Mrs Banda as he was seen intending to block her from rising to the presidency.

But as Joyce Banda took over the powerful post at the weekend, she indicated that she does not seek to effect revenge on her enemies. Banda told supporters that she there is no longer any need to effect revenge.

Chaponda’s name became the talk of the whole world last year when he called for a statutory ban on farting. He was the country’s Justice Minister at the time.

“Malawians should be able to control their gas other than releasing it in public….We are entitled to introduce order in the country,” Justice Minister Dr George Chaponda (pictured-right) had argued early in February.

“Would you like it yourself, that people should be farting in public everywhere?” Chaponda asked a radio presenter recently.

“I think the government has a right to ensure decency,” he said.

The minister later admitted his error of interpretation.

(ZimEye)