Farting will be made a crime in the African country of Malawi.
The Malawian government plans to punish persistent offenders “who foul the air” in a bid to “mould responsible and disciplined citizens.”
But locals are concerned about how police in Malawi plan to pin responsibility on the crime of breaking wind.
They believe it may lead to miscarriages of justice as ‘criminals’ attempt to blame others for their offence.
One Malawian told the website Africanews.com: “My goodness. What happens in a public place where a group is gathered. Do they lock up half a minibus?
“And how about at meetings where it is difficult to pinpoint ‘culprits’?
“Children will openly deny having passed bad air and point at an elder. Culturally, this is very embarrassing,” she said.
Another local resident wrote: “We have serious issues affecting Malawians today. I do not know how fouling the air should take priority over regulating Chinese investments which do not employ locals, serious graft amongst legislators, especially those in the ruling party, and many more.”
A new ‘Local Court ‘ system set up in Malawi will enforce the crime.
It will also have powers to punish a range of other crimes in the bill set to be debated in the country’s parliament.
These include insulting the modesty of a woman, challenging to fight a duel, and trespassing on a burial place.
It also outlaws pretending to be a fortune-teller, according to local press in Malawi.
Opposition leaders complain the new courts will be ‘kangaroo courts’.
