Gwaladi out on bail: Malawi singer faces sex assault rap

Popular street-performer, Joe Gwaladi has been granted bail after spending a week in police custody for allegedly sexually assulting a 14-year-old girl in Phalombe last month.

Phalombe First Grade Magistrates granted the musician bail following convincing plea by his lawyer, Chancy Gondwe.

Gwaladi was arrested on 27 May,2015 and the court last week refused to grant bail to the Ndikanaziwa and Tumbocid hits maker.

First Grade Magistrate, Damson Banda on Friday ordered Gwaladi to pay a bail bond of K100,500 cash and provide two surities bonded atK150,500 each (not cash).

The court has also ordered the controversial musician who pleaded not guilty to the charge to surrender his traveling documents and to be reporting to police every Tuesday morning.

The case resumes on Jully 2, 2015 when police are expected to parade witnesses to testify against Gwaladi who has been charged with Defilement under Section 138 (1) of the Penal Code.

According to a medical report, the girl’s private parts were swollen suggesting that something happened to her.

According to Phalombe police, Gwaladi defiled the girl (name withheld) who happens to be a friend to
one of his three wives, 19-year old Patricia Gwaladi.

On the day of alleged incident, the girl is said to have visited Gwaladi’s home where she slept over.

At night the singer went to the room where the girl  was sleeping and forced himself on her before threatening her not to
reveal the incident to anyone.

However, the girl revealed the incident to her mother who immediatelytook her to Phalombe Hospital for medical examination.

Gwaladi is said to have bribed the mother with K6,000 to conceal the issue from authorities, but police acting on a tip-off arrested him.

He hails from Magaleta Village, T/A Nkanda in Mulanje.

Gwaladi, who has been playing music using home-made instruments since childhood, rose to fame in 2005 with his hit song Khoswe Wandilaura and has been a phenomenal ever since .

His music is characterized by powerful lyrics effortlessly combined with traditional and more modern, urban sounds. Gwaladi talks about AIDS, poverty and many other social issues affecting Malawians.

Joe Gwaladi is famous for songs like Ndinafa Bulu, Nkhope Ya Chilembwe, and Zakanika.

He once revealed to have formed a band called “Kupata Kwa Ana”