Leaked audio places magistrate Nthara at centre of due process, intimidation row
A leaked audio recording involving Nkhotakota Second Grade Magistrate Stonard Nthara has sparked questions about judicial conduct, alleged intimidation and adherence to due process after he made a direct personal call to a woman over her brother’s court-ordered spousal maintenance payments.
The audio in our possession captured a telephone conversation between Magistrate Nthara and a woman identified as Majourie Mtenje, reportedly linked to enforcement of a court-ordered spousal maintenance arrangement.
An anonymous source familiar with the matter, told us that the dispute arises from divorce case number 103/2025, in which the court dissolved a marriage following a family disagreement and ordered the husband to pay monthly maintenance to his former spouse.
His sister Mtenje was allegedly named as a surety in the arrangement.
In the recording, the magistrate is heard accusing Mtenje’s brother of defaulting on maintenance payments for over two months and warning that police officers would be deployed to arrest him.
The conversation escalated, with the magistrate using harsh language and issuing threats during the exchange. “Achimwene anu ajatu ma arrears akwana K200,000, nde akatumaso apolisi aja amatchajaso ndalama nde ikhala ngati K270,000,” Nthara said.
But, Mtenje disputed the claim, claiming her brother had already settled the amount. Mtenje’s response prompted Nthara to over react, “Nde mu kuchita makani? Aaa fokofu, iwe ndiwe chitsiru eti, mesa udalonjeza, agwidwaso ndi apolisi, galu wachabechabe,” he said.
Meanwhile, people are questioning why a judicial officer would engage directly with a private individual through a phone call rather than rely on formal court processes such as summons or written enforcement notices.
However, in an interview with this publication, Magistrate Nthara defended his actions, arguing that the accused had been inconsistent in complying with the court order.
“The defendant has not been consistent in meeting the order, he only pays when enforcement action is taken,” said Nthara. “As it stands, he has arrears amounting to K200,000.”
Nthara said his decision to contact the woman directly was influenced by the family’s earlier cooperation and his intention to prevent repeated arrests.
“I reached out to her because they had previously been cooperative. I wanted her to help remind her brother to clear the arrears, as it is not ideal for him to be arrested repeatedly,” he explained.
He also claimed that his approach was meant to resolve the matter amicably rather than escalate it through strict legal enforcement. He also suggested that Mtenje may have acted improperly and could later reconsider her position.
“In time, she may come to realise that her reaction was not appropriate,” he added.
The development comes at a time when the judiciary is facing heightened public scrutiny over allegations of corruption and misconduct.
Recently, lawyer Alexious Kamangila publicly named some judicial officials he alleged had been engaging in questionable practices, further fuelling debate about integrity and accountability within the justice system.
