A court in Lilongwe will decide next month if a teen sex case should continue. Brian Taulo faces charges for having sex with his 17-year-old girlfriend when he was 19. The law changed in February 2023, making it illegal for adults to have sex with anyone under 18.
Nyale Institute wants the court to stop the case. Their lawyer, Ireen Mathanga, argues teens close in age often have consensual relationships. She believes punishing Taulo violates his rights to privacy, dignity, freedom, and friendship. The state prosecutor, Innocent Dzatopetsa, insists Taulo broke the law.
Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda will announce his decision on May 20, 2025. The case might move to the Constitutional Court if deeper legal questions need answers. Nyale Institute leader Godfrey Kangaude hopes for changes to the law. He worries that current rules hurt teens unfairly when relationships happen between people just months apart in age.
Nyale Institute wants the court to stop the case. Their lawyer, Ireen Mathanga, argues teens close in age often have consensual relationships. She believes punishing Taulo violates his rights to privacy, dignity, freedom, and friendship. The state prosecutor, Innocent Dzatopetsa, insists Taulo broke the law.
Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda will announce his decision on May 20, 2025. The case might move to the Constitutional Court if deeper legal questions need answers. Nyale Institute leader Godfrey Kangaude hopes for changes to the law. He worries that current rules hurt teens unfairly when relationships happen between people just months apart in age.
