Gwaladi in court next week

Musician Joe Gwaladi’s court case, in which he is charged with defilement of a 14-year-olf girl in Phalombe last year, resumes in the Phalombe Magistrate’s Court on January 19.

Gwaladi was arrested by Phalombe Police in May last year on suspicion that he defiled a 14-year-old girl.

Gwaladi, famous for the number one hits Tumbocid and Ndinafa Bulu, was released on court bail through his lawyer Chancy Gondwe.

The musician was ordered to pay a bail bond of K100 000 by Phalombe first grade magistrate Damson Banda.

Phalombe Police public relations officer Augustus Nkhwazi said the case will be back in court on January 19.

He, however, said he is not in a position to explain why the case is dragging, saying it is being handled by State prosecutors.

Gondwe said they were waiting for the State to resume the case.

“We were simply waiting for the State to be ready with their witnesses. But the case was dragging because probably the mother of the girl is no longer interested to pursue the matter further,” said Gondwe.

Gwaladi, who seemed to have sung about his fate in one of his popular songs Ndikanadziwa, denied the charges of defilement.n