Child rights activist hails court for revoking Wim Akster’s bail
Chisenga: justice will be served
Child rights activist Memory Chisenga has commended the Chief Resident Magistrate Court in Blantyre for revoking the bail of Dutch national Wim Akster.
Akster, who was arrested in 2020, failed to appear for a scheduled hearing today, with his lawyers claiming he was unwell and requesting an adjournment.
However, the State opposed the request, arguing that Akster was deliberately avoiding proceedings since he was out on bail.
Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha agreed with the State and ordered Akster’s immediate detention. The trial is now set to resume on 16 May.
Chisenga described the decision as a crucial step towards justice for the alleged victims.
She said the court’s decision gives hope that the long-dragging case, in which Akster is accused of sodomizing young boys under a bursary programme he managed at Timotheos Foundation, will now make tangible progress.
“The case has taken long and we believe this time, justice will be served. We call upon the court not to grant him bail again until the case reaches conclusion,” said Chisenga.
The case had previously faced delays, notably due to a constitutional application filed by Akster and transgender activist Jana Gonani.
The two had asked the Constitutional Court to declare unconstitutional sections 153, 154, and 156 of the Penal Code, which criminalize “carnal knowledge against the order of nature.”
These provisions were used in Akster’s charges and were also the basis for Gonani’s 2021 conviction.
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