Veteran musician Patrick Ampatsi Simakweli was granted bail yesterday by the Blantyre Senior Resident Magistrate Court in a case where he is accused of having sex with a girl who is below 18 years.
Malawi’s laws penalise sexual activities with someone below that age as they are considered a child who cannot consent to such acts.
Senior Resident Magistrate Euphrasia Nazombe Moyo granted Simakweli bail after he reapplied for bail through his lawyer Jai Banda.
According to court documents seen by The Daily Times, the 71-year-old musician, who comes from Mgundo Village, Traditional Authority Kuntaja, allegedly had sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18 on June 3 2024, in Chilomoni Township.
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Simakweli, who recently published a book detailing the country’s music history, was initially denied bail but secured it after engaging Banda.
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The musician’s lawyer was not available for comment on yesterday’s bail ruling.
However, following the granting of bail, court documents indicate that the case will be heard on August 7 2024, after Simakweli’s lawyer reapplied to cross-examine the witnesses—the girl and her mother.
