Namibia's Agriculture Minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, was dismissed following serious allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. The accusations emerged after police arrested the 59-year-old minister over an alleged attempt to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her case against him. Recently appearing in court, Hengari has denied any wrongdoing and was denied bail due to concerns that he might flee or tamper with potential witnesses.
This incident marks the first significant scandal for Namibia's newly elected President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who assumed office just last month. The presidential office's announcement regarding Hengari's dismissal did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decision; however, he has been removed from the National Assembly where he represented the ruling party, Swapo.
Police confirm that Hengari is under investigation for several offenses including kidnapping, rape, and assault. His case has prompted criticism from the opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, which deemed his arrest as indicative of "a profound failure of leadership." The party highlighted the broader context of increasing gender-based violence in Namibia, noting over 4,800 reported cases of such violence last year alone in a country with a population of three million.
Additionally, the opposition has raised questions regarding the vetting process of nominees, citing that Hengari's appointment occurred despite allegations of a criminal investigation that reportedly began in November 2024. President Nandi-Ndaitwah had earlier touted her cabinet for achieving high female representation, with nine out of 14 members being women, as part of her vision for governance following her election win, where she received 58% of the vote.
Hengari is set to face further legal proceedings, with a court hearing scheduled for June 3. This situation continues to unfold in a country grappling with significant challenges regarding gender violence and leadership accountability.
