Magistrate faces high court as woman claims bias and humiliation
Lawyers representing the respondent in the matter are demanding N$500,000 in compensation, instead of N$ 200 000
After spending a night in custody and being denied food and water, a state nurse is now suing a Keetmanshoop magistrate for half a million dollars over what she says was a blatant abuse of judicial power.
A Keetmanshoop nurse, Lucia Hamana, claims in her court papers that she was humiliated, unfairly treated, and denied justice.
She is now taking her case to the Windhoek High Court, demanding N$500 000 in damages from Keetmanshoop Magistrate Unchen Konjore over what she says was a biased maintenance ruling and her subsequent arrest.
She initially sought N$200 000 in damages but has now increased that amount to N$500 000, highlighting the emotional distress and harm to her reputation that she says she suffered as a result.
The alleged conflict of interest
Hamana’s lawsuit stems from a maintenance hearing in September 2023 at the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court.
She argues that Magistrate Konjore should have disclosed an alleged personal relationship with her ex-husband, Heinrich Karawora, who was the opposing party in the case.
Hamana claims the magistrate was living with Karawora and the two minor children for whom she was ordered to pay maintenance.
She says this undisclosed relationship compromised the fairness of the hearing and violated judicial standards.
The maintenance order and arrest
According to court filings, Hamana was ordered to pay N$1 600 per month in child maintenance—a figure she says was unaffordable on her monthly income of about N$7 000.
When she failed to pay, a warrant was issued for her arrest in February 2024.
She says she was arrested in Bethanie and taken to Keetmanshoop, where she spent a night in a cell under what she describes as degrading conditions, with no food or water despite needing high blood pressure medication.
She was only brought before a court the following evening after her sister intervened.
Claim for constitutional violations
Hamana argues that her experience not only left her humiliated but also violated her constitutional rights, including dignity, protection from degrading treatment, equality before the law, and a fair trial.
She cites Articles 7, 8, 10, and 12 of the Namibian Constitution in support of her claim.
Next steps in court
In mid-June, High Court managing judge Beatrix De Jager issued procedural directions for the case. Both sides must submit a joint case plan by 10 July and attend a case planning conference on 16 July 2025.
Hamana is also required to meet Rule 9(3) deadlines by 9 July or risk losing the ability to apply for summary judgment or file objections.
Hamana is represented by private lawyer Florian Beukes. Magistrate Konjore is being represented by government attorney Chairmaine Kavitjene.
As the High Court prepares to hear the case, it is shaping up to be a closely watched dispute that raises broader questions about judicial ethics, conflict of interest, and fair access to justice for those navigating the maintenance system in Namibia.
She is now taking her case to the Windhoek High Court, demanding N$500 000 in damages from Keetmanshoop Magistrate Unchen Konjore over what she says was a biased maintenance ruling and her subsequent arrest.
She initially sought N$200 000 in damages but has now increased that amount to N$500 000, highlighting the emotional distress and harm to her reputation that she says she suffered as a result.
The alleged conflict of interest
Hamana’s lawsuit stems from a maintenance hearing in September 2023 at the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court.
She argues that Magistrate Konjore should have disclosed an alleged personal relationship with her ex-husband, Heinrich Karawora, who was the opposing party in the case.
Hamana claims the magistrate was living with Karawora and the two minor children for whom she was ordered to pay maintenance.
She says this undisclosed relationship compromised the fairness of the hearing and violated judicial standards.
The maintenance order and arrest
According to court filings, Hamana was ordered to pay N$1 600 per month in child maintenance—a figure she says was unaffordable on her monthly income of about N$7 000.
When she failed to pay, a warrant was issued for her arrest in February 2024.
She says she was arrested in Bethanie and taken to Keetmanshoop, where she spent a night in a cell under what she describes as degrading conditions, with no food or water despite needing high blood pressure medication.
She was only brought before a court the following evening after her sister intervened.
Claim for constitutional violations
Hamana argues that her experience not only left her humiliated but also violated her constitutional rights, including dignity, protection from degrading treatment, equality before the law, and a fair trial.
She cites Articles 7, 8, 10, and 12 of the Namibian Constitution in support of her claim.
Next steps in court
In mid-June, High Court managing judge Beatrix De Jager issued procedural directions for the case. Both sides must submit a joint case plan by 10 July and attend a case planning conference on 16 July 2025.
Hamana is also required to meet Rule 9(3) deadlines by 9 July or risk losing the ability to apply for summary judgment or file objections.
Hamana is represented by private lawyer Florian Beukes. Magistrate Konjore is being represented by government attorney Chairmaine Kavitjene.
As the High Court prepares to hear the case, it is shaping up to be a closely watched dispute that raises broader questions about judicial ethics, conflict of interest, and fair access to justice for those navigating the maintenance system in Namibia.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article