Namibia’s agriculture minister has been dismissed following allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years prior. Mac-Albert Hengari was taken into custody on Saturday, April 26, after reportedly trying to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her accusations, according to police reports.
Hengari, aged 59, has denied any misconduct and appeared in court on Monday, where he was refused bail. This incident marks the first significant controversy for Namibia’s inaugural female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, since her inauguration last month.
The president’s office did not specify the reasons for Hengari’s termination but confirmed his removal from the National Assembly as well. Hengari was appointed to parliament by the president to represent the ruling party, Swapo.
He is currently under investigation for several charges related to the case, including kidnapping, rape, and assault, as stated by the police.
On Monday, he faced a magistrate’s court in Windhoek, where he was charged with obstructing justice. Hengari and his co-defendant will remain in custody until June 3, when their next hearing is set, having been denied bail due to concerns they might flee or attempt to contact witnesses.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, remarked that Hengari’s arrest on charges of rape, kidnapping, and forced abortion reflects a significant leadership failure and highlights the emptiness of government claims regarding gender-based violence.
They noted that this case arises amid a troubling trend of gender violence, with 4,814 incidents reported last year in a country of three million people.
The party also criticized the vetting process, asserting that the president appointed Hengari despite an alleged criminal investigation that began in November 2024. Last month, President Nandi-Ndaitwah introduced a cabinet hailed for its female representation, with nine out of 14 members being women, including the vice-president.
The 72-year-old candidate secured victory in the November election, obtaining 58% of the votes cast. She has been a longstanding member of Swapo, the ruling party since the nation achieved independence in 1990 following a protracted struggle against apartheid in South Africa.
