By Burnett Munthali
A court in Zomba has denied bail to Senior Chief Malemia, who is facing charges related to defiling a minor and assisting in an abortion.
The ruling was made by Judge Elijah Daniels, who cited concerns that granting bail could compromise the timely conclusion of the case.
Judge Daniels also rejected, saying that allowing a DNA test to determine paternity at this stage would be inappropriate, as the charges against Malemia do not involve establishing paternity.
The decision has been met with disappointment from the defense, who had hoped to use the DNA evidence to support their case.
The charges against Senior Chief Malemia stem from an incident on April 7 this year, when he was accused of defiling a minor and assisting in an abortion.
The case is scheduled to proceed on May 5, 2026, with Judge Daniels granting the defense’s request to consider an appeal against the ruling.
The prosecution has not yet indicated whether they will pursue the DNA evidence, but the court’s decision marks a significant development in the case against Senior Chief Malemia.
The outcome of the appeal will be closely watched, as it may impact the trajectory of the case.
Malemia’s defense team, led by Patrick Debwe, is expected to file an appeal against the ruling, arguing that the DNA evidence is crucial to their client’s defense.
The appeal process will provide an opportunity for both sides to present their arguments, and the court’s decision will ultimately determine the course of the trial.
The case has attracted significant attention in Malawi, with many watching to see how the justice system will handle the allegations against a prominent traditional leader.
The outcome of the case will have implications for the community and the country’s efforts to address issues of sexual violence and abuse.
