Child rights campaigner, which has spent nearly six years demanding justice in the Wim Akster sodomy case, say the latest court ruling is only a step forward, and vows to continue pressing until justice is served.
On Monday, the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Blantyre found Dutch national Wim Akster with a case to answer on six counts of sodomy and gross indecency, however, Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha found that there was sufficient evidence for the suspect to answer to five of those counts.
Chiotcha said the charges stem from allegations that Akster who was arrested in2020 while working at Timoteo Foundation, had carnal knowledge of another man against the order of nature and forced some individuals to engage in acts such as kissing and fondling private parts.
Speaking after the determination, Memory Chisenga, Executive Director for Child Advocacy Center, described the ruling as a major breakthrough in a case that campaigners have fought to keep alive for years.
She said the outcome was what many had been waiting for and showed that justice was finally beginning to prevail.
Chisenga said although Akster was found with a case to answer on five out of the six counts, the development was still significant and gave campaigners hope that the matter could soon end in conviction and sentencing.
She said advocates would not back down, but would continue pushing for justice.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. Finally, we are seeing justice prevailing after five years of fighting for this case. I do believe that very soon we are seeing a conviction, very soon we are seeing a sentence,” she said. “We will continue to advocate, we will continue to make noise, we will continue to call for justice until we see that Wim Akster has been sentenced.”
Chisenga also commended Malawi’s justice system for the way it has handled the matter so far, saying despite the many twists and turns surrounding the case, the court had demonstrated seriousness in ensuring progress is made.
Reacting to the ruling, public prosecutor Victor Jere said the State had mixed feelings, having hoped that Akster would be found with a case to answer on all six counts.
Found with a case to answer- Wim Akster
However, he said the prosecution was still fairly satisfied with the outcome.
“I guess, for now, we will take it, because five out of six is still more than good enough,” said Jere. “But all in all, on our part, I think we are, I would say, fairly happy because this is what we had expected.”
Jere said the State would study the court’s ruling to fully appreciate the basis on which Akster was cleared on one count, but maintained that the evidence presented before the court pointed to only one conclusion, that the accused had a case to answer.
He added that the prosecution has already tendered all its evidence and will not bring any fresh evidence, saying the next step now lies entirely with the accused, who must decide whether to testify or call witnesses in his defence.
In court, defence lawyer Micheal Goba Chipeta asked for 21 days to consult his client on the way forward, including whether Akster will call witnesses or proceed straight to his defence.
The magistrate said the court will give further direction after the 21-day period.
The matter is expected to return to court on May 20, 2026, with Akster remaining on bail.
