Renowned actor Tumpe Mtaya, popularly known as Phwedo, will appear at the Lilongwe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Mtaya was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly having sexual activity with a minor, pending medical examinations on the victim.
Central West Region Police spokesperson Foster Benjamin said yesterday that Mtaya has been formally charged with having sexual intercourse with a child, in line with Section 138 of the Penal Code.
“Following the results of the medical examination, he [Mtaya] has been formally charged. Tomorrow [Thursday], he will be taken to court, where he will take plea,” Foster said.
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Mtaya is alleged to have met with the minor on February 7, 2025 at Madsoc Theatre in Lilongwe, where there was a theatre festival and the two allegedly connected. Police allege that the suspect then met with the victim at his house following an invitation on February 18, 2025.
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Benjamin said police suspect that Mtaya slept with the minor on that date [February 18, 2025]. He said the law enforcers further suspect that, since then, the actor has been sleeping with the victim, who is 15 years old.
The spokesperson said the issue was thereafter reported to police. Meanwhile, 4Kaya Filmz says it has been made aware of the allegations involving Phwedo, one of the actors who stars in their upcoming film Welcome to Maula Prison.
Through a statement signed by its producer Kendall Kamwendo of the Symon and Kendall signature, 4Kaya Filmz says they are taking the issue seriously. The outfit says with the matter currently under investigation by the authorities, it will not say anything but, rather, allow the due process of the law.
They have since indicated that the premiere of Welcome to Maula Prison next month will proceed as scheduled, starting off in Lilongwe before moving to Blantyre and Mzuzu cities.
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Phwedo came to the limelight after starring in the award winning School Days, where he won the hearts of many people with his acting prowess.
