Allegations Against Namibia’s Former Agriculture Minister Emerge
Namibia’s political landscape has been shaken by the recent dismissal of its agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, who faces serious allegations of rape and bribery involving a now 21-year-old woman. These accusations are tied to events that allegedly occurred five years ago when the victim was 16 years old.
Hengari, 59, was taken into custody following an attempt to bribe the victim to drop the charges, according to police reports. Despite denying any wrongdoing, he was denied bail after appearing in court. This situation marks the first significant scandal confronting Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, since her recent inauguration.
The presidency hasn’t publicly disclosed the precise reasons for Hengari’s dismissal, but it did confirm his removal from the National Assembly as well. The minister, who was elected by President Nandi-Ndaitwah to represent the ruling Swapo party, now faces charges of rape, kidnapping, and assault, amongst others.
During Hengari’s court appearance in Windhoek, he was charged with obstructing justice and, along with his co-accused, remains in custody pending a hearing scheduled for June. Concerns about his potential flight risk and ability to influence witnesses led to the denial of bail. The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, criticised the arrest as a “profound failure of leadership,” against the backdrop of increasing gender-based violence in Namibia.
This scandal also brings into question the vetting process, as accusations against Hengari reportedly began in November 2024. President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won the November election with 58% of the vote, has been lauded for her cabinet’s gender representation, with women making up a significant portion of her appointments. With this controversy unfolding, the focus remains on how effectively her administration will address these pressing issues.
Source: BBC