By Jimmy Chazama
Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday adjourned the case involving actor Tumpe Mtaya, popularly known as Phwedo to July 31 2025.
The development followed the state’s failure to produce an identity card used by the victim to write her form four examinations last year.
The court had previously ordered the state to bring the identity card to verify the girl’s age.
However, during Tuesdays proceedings, only a document from Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) showing the girl’s date of birth was submitted.
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Defense lawyer Khwima Mchizi said the state had not complied with the court’s directive. He denied claims from the state that the defence was delaying the case.
The state, through investigator Jonathan Khambule, said that the girl’s mother did not know the whereabouts of the student identity card.
He further added that Maneb confirmed that the victim sat for examinations last year, but her identity card could not be retrieved.
The court is expected to issue a ruling on whether the state complied with its order. Phwedo, who is currently on bail, is accused of repetitively having sex with a minor and child trafficking, which he has denied.
