One of the well-known social commentators in the country Onjezani Kenani has described the 18 months jail sentence handed to former Commissioner of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Linda Kunje as too harsh.

Chief Resident Magistrate, Austin Banda of Zomba Registry, on Wednesday, sentenced Kunje to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour and her former driver Jones Tewesa to 15 months imprisonment for obstructing the presidential convoy.

This was after the two were convicted of criminal negligence after their vehicle blocked a presidential convoy on December 29, 2020.

Writing on his official facebook page after the sentence, Kenani described the sentencing as excessively harsh.

“Obstructing the motorcade of the President is not acceptable as it puts the President’s life at risk; but sentencing Ms Linda Kunje and her driver to 18 months and 15 months imprisonment respectively is excessively harsh,” wrote Kenani.

Meanwhile, Kunje has said she will appeal at the High Court her sentence.