Steven Monjeza has left Tiwonge Chimbalanga for a woman called Dorothy. Chimabalanga sees herself as a transsexual woman - and is still hoping to get married.
The couple from Malawi who have been making headlines in recent weeks are no longer a couple. Steven Monjeza has left Tiwonge Chimbalanga for a woman called Dorothy. This was reported by the Malawian daily newspaper "The Nation".
The newspaper quotes Monjeza as saying that Chimbalanga had "tricked him into the marriage". He had "now found a much more suitable partner in Dorothy". Dorothy told the newspaper that she was "very happy with Monjeza and I don't care what people say. However, my parents don't know about our relationship yet."
Chimbalanga, who defines herself as a "transgender woman", has not seen Monjeza since her release because he had returned to his village while Chimbalanga remained in the Malawian capital. She now told media representatives that she still hopes to marry Monjeza at some point. However, she first wants to apply for asylum in another country.
Monjeza and Chimbalanga had become publicly engaged in December 2009. They were subsequently arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour in May. Due to worldwide protests, they were pardoned by Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika shortly afterwards and released from prison.
(Paul Schulz)
