A Magistrate’s court in Blantyre has issued a warrant of arrest against Shabir Jussab, a businessman and resident of Mandala in the city but currently in Saudi Arabia on personal business, on allegations that he committed cyber harassment offences.

South West Region Police spokesperson Beatrice Mikuwa confirmed Jussab is wanted, adding the Malawi Police have already raised an Interpol alert to have him arrested and brought back home on the allegations that he has contravened section 86(b) of the Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act.

Police, according to the warrant of arrest we have seen, alleges that between the month of July and August 2023, in the District of Blantyre, Jussab used his computer system to send out messages threatening to inflict injury to Abdul Karim Batatawala and other members of his family.

Jussab happens to be Batatawala’s son in-law, he married his daughter. He left his wife back in Malawi and travelled to Saudi Arabia with his son, according to police sources.

Particulars in the second offence allege that Jussab, 32, between the same dates, willfully and repeatedly used WhatsApp messages to disturb or attempt to disturb the peace, quietness or right to privacy of Batatawala and his family members.

“You are hereby directed to arrest the said Shabir Jussab and to produce him before this court in execution of this your warrant and herein fail not,” reads the warrant.

Jussab did not respond to our questionnaire sent through WhatsApp when he was asked if he was made aware of the warrant of arrest.

Our police sources disclose that Jussab has been sending messages to his father in-law, Batatawala, insulting and threatening him and making serious unfounded and sensitive allegations about him and his family members.

The messages, the sources say, are sent via social media platforms, including Facebook.

Source:NPL