A Keetmanshoop magistrate, Unchen Konjore, is facing allegations of malpractice after she allegedly presided over a maintenance case involving a person she had a romantic relationship with, a conflict of interest that has sparked accusations of judicial misconduct and abuse of power.

According to a letter of demand issued by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, magistrate Konjore allegedly had an extramarital affair with the complainant in a maintenance case against his then-wife, Lucia Sofia Hamana (formerly Karawora). 

The attorneys claim that, despite this relationship, the magistrate oversaw the case and issued a ruling that placed an excessive financial burden on Hamana, ultimately leading to her arrest.

The dispute dates back to September 1, 2023, when Hamana appeared before the magistrate in a maintenance inquiry. 

The legal representatives argue that the magistrate violated the Magistrates' Code of Conduct by failing to conduct the proceedings impartially, failing to allow Hamana to adequately state her case, and ordering an unaffordable maintenance payment of N$1,600 without sufficient evidence.

Hamana, unable to meet the payment, fell into arrears. A warrant for her arrest was subsequently issued and signed by the same magistrate, leading to Hamana's arrest.

According to the lawyers, the situation escalated when Hamana later discovered that her ex-husband and the magistrate had conceived a child together and were living with the same children she had been ordered to support. 

On March 18, 2024, Hamana formally lodged a complaint against the magistrate with the Magistrates' Commission, leading to misconduct charges being brought against the judicial officer.

The letter from Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys describes the magistrate’s conduct as malicious and perfidious, alleging violations of Hamana’s constitutional rights to dignity and liberty.

Hamana, through her lawyers, is demanding that magistrate Konjore pay N$200,000, threatening a legal suit should the magistrate fail to pay.

Attempts to reach Konjore for a comment failed; her phone numbers went unanswered, and text messages sent to her were not responded to at the time of publication.