President Bingu of Malawi has pardoned the couple, Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga, who were recently senenced to 14 years hard labour on charges of homosexuality.

Human rights advocates have reacted with revulsion at the decision of a Malawian court to imprison Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga for being a same-sex couple.

Charges against a Christian street preacher who condemned homosexuality have been dropped, shortly after a gay rights campaigner offered to testify in his defence.