A legal expert has warned that threats against popular Malawian TikToker Jennifer Mtenje, popularly known as Lopie6, who opened up about alleged childhood abuse by her stepmother, could lead to criminal charges.
Law expert Garton Kamchedzera said anyone who threatens another person may be committing a criminal offence and that the matter should be investigated by law enforcement authorities.
“Threatening any person is a criminal offence. If the story is known to the Police, the Police should investigate and consider an arrest,” Kamchedzera said.
His remarks follow Jennifer’s claims that after speaking publicly about her childhood experiences, she started receiving hostile messages from people she identifies as children of her stepmother.
Jennifer recently shared an emotional account of what she says was a childhood marked by physical and emotional abuse after she and her elder sister moved to live with their father and stepmother in Lilongwe.
Born in July 2000 in Nkhata Bay, Jennifer lost her biological mother before her first birthday and was raised by her grandmother alongside her elder sister in a remote rural community. When she was about seven years old, their father took the girls to live with him after remarrying, a move they believed would give them a better life.
Instead, Jennifer alleges that she and her sister endured years of abuse. She says they woke up at 3 a.m. daily to do household chores before going to school and often attended classes hungry because money their father left for them was allegedly taken away by their stepmother.
She also alleges that whenever the sisters reported the abuse to their father, arguments would erupt between him and their stepmother. Rather than improving the situation, Jennifer says those confrontations were followed by even more severe beatings.
Jennifer further claims that her stepmother repeatedly accused the sisters of witchcraft, telling them they had bewitched their biological mother and had come to bewitch her as well.
One of the incidents she says has remained deeply painful involved being ordered to use her bare hands to break apart human faeces in a toilet after it failed to flush.
Unable to endure the alleged abuse any longer, Jennifer says she and her elder sister, both under the age of 10, fled home on the last day of a school term. After telling a woman they met that they had run away because of abuse, the sisters were taken to Area 3 Police Station. Jennifer says police later took them back home, but they refused to stay because they feared the abuse would continue.
Now married and living in South Africa, Jennifer says speaking publicly about her childhood has exposed her to fresh intimidation.
She claims she has received threatening and abusive messages from people she identifies as children of her stepmother. In one Facebook Messenger exchange seen by this publication, an account bearing the name Thocco Nyachiwisi Munthali disputed Jennifer’s allegations, defended her mother and urged the content creator to stop mentioning her. The message also contained personal insults directed at Jennifer.
Women’s and Girls’ Rights activist Grace Chomanika says Jennifer’s experience reflects the challenges many survivors of childhood abuse face long after the abuse has ended.
“The effects of childhood abuse do not end when a child becomes an adult. Trauma can have lifelong effects on mental health, education, relationships, self-esteem and overall human development,” Chomanika said.
She said survivors who choose to speak out should be treated with empathy, dignity and support rather than threats, criticism or victim-blaming, warning that hostile reactions discourage many victims from reporting abuse.
Chomanika further said children who disclose abuse should receive immediate protection through District Social Welfare Offices, the Malawi Police Service’s Victim Support Unit and other child protection stakeholders, with safe alternative care provided where necessary.
She also urged government to continue strengthening child protection systems by investing in social welfare services, counselling, parenting education and community awareness, stressing that those found responsible for child abuse through due legal process should face the penalties provided under Malawi’s laws.
Jennifer’s revelations have sparked widespread discussion on social media, drawing attention not only to the lasting impact of childhood abuse but also to the difficulties survivors may encounter when they decide to tell their stories.
As debate continues, Kamchedzera’s warning serves as a reminder that while people may disagree with allegations made publicly, any threats directed at those who speak out could have legal consequences.
