By Linda Kwanjana
A Blantyre-based businessman Shabir Jussab, 32, is reportedly on the run in Saudi Arabia on alleged offences of cyber harassment.
This has compelled Malawi Police Service (MPS) to obtain a warrant of arrest from a Magistrate Court in Blantyre against Jussab, South West Region Police Headquarters spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa has confirmed.
Mikuwa said Interpol is on alert, and upon his arrest, he would be brought home to answer the charges.
Jussab, according to the warrant of arrest, is accused of violating section 86(b) of the Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act.
The warrant states that Jussab, between July and August 2023, in Blantyre, used his computer system to send out messages that threatened to inflict injury to Abdul Karim Batatawala and some members of his family
Jussab, ironically, is Batatawala’s son in-law. He is married to Batatawala’s daughter, who is still in Malawi, according to our police sources.
Further, in the second count, he stands charged of willfully and repeatedly using WhatsApp messages to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quietness or right to privacy of Batatawala and his family members.
Police is accusing Jussab in the third count of cyber stalking. It is alleged that he harassed and threatened Batatawala and members of his family through WhatsApp to instill fear in them.
The court directed police to arrest Jussab and to produce him before the court in execution of the warrant.
The police sources say Jussab has been sending insulting and threatening messages to Batatawala, allegedly making unfounded messages against him, while posting the same on social media platforms, including Facebook.
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