Monday, April 28, 2025 - Namibia’s Agriculture Minister, Mac Albert Hengari, has been dismissed by the country’s President following allegations that he attempted to bribe a r@pe victim.
It is alleged that Hengari had r@ped a 21-year-old woman and
later tried to bribe her to withdraw the case she had filed last year.
Hengari, who was among eight non-voting members recently
appointed to Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was removed from
office just 27 days after his appointment on March 22.
According to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC),
Hengari was arrested on Saturday, April 26, for allegedly trying to persuade
the victim to withdraw a case.
He is under investigation for allegedly engaging in repeated
s£xual acts with a minor between 2019 and September 2024.
The Presidency confirmed the dismissal, stating that
President Nandi-Ndaitwah had expected Hengari’s resignation by the previous
Wednesday.
Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo confirmed the arrest and
said preparations are underway to formally charge Hengari, who is expected to
appear in court on Monday.
A police spokesperson has confirmed the ongoing
investigation into Mac Hengari to the Namibian press, which has reported that a
minor has accused the agriculture minister of raping her.
“President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has relieved Hon. Dr.
Mac-Albert Hengari of his duties as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water
and Land Reform,” the president’s office said in a statement shared on social
media.
“The termination of tenure takes effect from Wednesday, 23
April 2025 when Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari should have tendered his
resignation,” it added.
According to the Namibian press Hengari may also face
prosecution for abduction and abortion, which is illegal in the conservative
southern African country.
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