Post date: Feb 13, 2011 12:21:14 AM
Residents of Malawi's financial capital Blantyre are angry over the controversial bill proposing a ban on farting in public, saying there are better issues for government to discuss other than making a mockery of Malawians.
BLANTYRE, MALAWI . REUTERS - A waft of anger hung in the air on Tuesday (February 8) when Malawians were asked to react on the government's attempt to criminalise farting in public.
"We can't allow that. We all fart. Where do they think we could go and fart? That is no issue to debate upon. What do you think?", Blantyre resident Topsi Ganzalesi asked on Tuesday (February 8).The Local Courts Bill, to be introduced next week, reads: "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 carrying on business in the neighbourhood or passing along a public way, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour."
College student, Matthews Phiri, was not alone in saying he couldn't understand how the government hoped to enforce the new law - adding to widespread criticism that the new law is a giant waste of public funds.
"We all fart in public and it will be difficult to tell who has done it. Some do it silently. It some cases it is like teargas which goes like shhhh!. Our legislators need to concentrate on discussing development projects. They should not waste our time and money on childish issues. It would make sense if they talked about defecating and urinating anyhow but not farting. This will not work. We will keep on farting." said college student, Matthews Phiri.
The bill will also attempt to deal with citizens who hinder the burial of dead bodies as well as people who pretend to be fortune tellers.
Many feel there are better issues government needs to discuss than making a mockery of Malawians.
"This is a non-starter. It is common practice among patients to fart in hospitals. So, in case someone is helping a patient and that patient farts will it be proper to report that patient to police for a possible arrest? That is not normal. Is it? said Jack Banda.
Others say the government has run of ideas.
"Government should think twice. Not all of us would be able to control ourselves from farting in public. There are times when you just realise that you have done it. We all have our right to fart and we should just carry on as it has been before." added another student Margaret Kubulusi.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional affairs George Chaponda said the Local Courts Bill will re-introduce 'traditional' tribunals that will handle civil cases under the penal code and will also handle criminal cases with "limited jurisdiction."