Namibia's agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, was dismissed from his position following accusations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years prior. The 59-year-old minister was arrested on Saturday after allegedly trying to bribe the victim, now 21, to dismiss the case against him, according to police reports.
Hengari, who denies all charges, appeared in court on Monday where he was denied bail. This incident marks a significant challenge for Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who just took office last month. Although the presidential statement did not specify reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it confirmed that he has been removed from the National Assembly as well.
Nominated to parliament by President Nandi-Ndaitwah to represent the ruling party, Swapo, Hengari is facing several allegations, including kidnapping and assault. In Windhoek, he appeared before a magistrates' court facing a charge of obstructing justice. Both he and a co-accused will remain in custody until their next hearing scheduled for June 3, with bail denied due to flight risk concerns.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, condemned Hengari's arrest, labeling it a "profound failure of leadership" and criticizing the government's stance on gender-based violence, particularly with a reported 4,814 cases from the previous year in a country of three million. They also criticized the vetting process, suggesting issues were overlooked since the President had appointed Hengari despite a purported investigation dating back to November 2024.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah recently announced a cabinet notable for female representation, with nine of the 14 cabinet members being women, which was highlighted as a significant advancement in gender equality within the government as she prepares to lead after her electoral win in November where she secured 58% of the vote.
