Five Ntcheu church leaders out on bail

Ntcheu Senior Resident Magistrate Court has granted bail to five leaders of Tembenukani Mitima Kubwera Kwa Ambuye Kwayandikira church who are accused of restricting members from accessing healthcare and education.

The accused, Stella Monta, 40, Monta Monta, 40, Havey Monta, 21, Willy Monta, 22, and Memory Mwale, all from Ndagoma Village under Senior Chief Kwataine, are facing charges related to alleged violations of children’s rights.

The five appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate His Worship Chimdima Phiri today and denied the charges.

The court granted each accused person bail with a K50,000 bond, one surety, and ordered them to report to police every third week.

Magistrate Phiri also directed the accused not to leave Ntcheu District without notifying police and set 4 August 2026 as the next date for the case.

The State initially charged the group under Section 242 of the Penal Code but later changed the charge to alleged offences under Section 80 and Section 83 of laws relating to child protection and justice.

The charges come after allegations that the church leaders prevented some members from accessing medical treatment and sending children to school. The accused have denied the allegations.