Musician Joe Gwaladi returns to the courtroom today where he is answering charges of raping a 14-year-old girl.
The Tumbocid hitmaker pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him when he first appeared in court on Thursday.
According to Phalombe Police station officer Sikanadze Mkweche, the 14-year-old victim is friends with one of Gwaladi’s three wives and on this day she visited her at her house and she slept over.
“At night Gwaladi, allegedly went to the room that the girl was sleeping and sexually assaulted her and then threatened her. In the morning, her mother went around the village in search for her daughter and she found her at Gwaladi’s and the girl told her what had happened. Then they went to Phalombe Health Centre for tests, but Gwaladi allegedly approached them and bribed the mother with K6 000. But after we were tipped on what had happened, we went there and took the girl to the hospital and arrested Gwaladi,” he said.
According to section 133 of the Penal Code, if found guilty Gwaladi risks life imprisonment.
Gwaladi comes from Magaleta Village, T/A Nkanda in Mulanje.
Gwaladi is a street performer and founder of Kupata Kwa Ana Band.
Some of his famous songs include Ndinafa Bulu, Nkhope Ya Chilembwe, and Zakanika.
He is among musicians who sell CDs on their own in towns and cities of Malawi.
