Mac-Albert Hengari, the agriculture minister of Namibia, has been removed from his position following serious allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago, now an adult. This incident has ignited discussions about gender-based violence in the nation.
Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amid Rape Allegations
Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amid Rape Allegations
A high-profile case surfaces as Namibia's government faces scrutiny over gender violence issues.
Namibia's agriculture minister has been dismissed from his role after being accused of raping a minor five years ago. Mac-Albert Hengari, who is 59, was taken into custody on Saturday after allegedly trying to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her accusations against him. His denial of any wrongdoing led to him appearing in court, where he was denied bail.
This incident marks a significant controversy for Namibia's inaugural female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month. Although the president's office did not specify the reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it did confirm that he is no longer a member of the National Assembly. He was appointed to parliament to represent the ruling party, Swapo.
According to ongoing police investigations, Hengari faces multiple charges, including rape, kidnapping, and assault. During a recent court appearance in Windhoek, he was charged with obstructing justice. His alleged co-conspirators and Hengari will remain detained until a hearing scheduled for June 3, as the court has expressed concerns about potential flight risks and witness tampering.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, has criticized Hengari's arrest as a significant "failure of leadership" and has highlighted the alarming number of gender-based violence cases reported in Namibia last year, which stood at 4,814 in a country of three million people. Adding to the criticism, the party questioned the vetting process of the president, stating that Hengari was appointed despite a criminal investigation supposedly initiated in November 2024.
Following her victory in the recent elections with 58% of the vote, President Nandi-Ndaitwah formed a cabinet notable for its female representation, which includes nine women out of 14 members. The administration is now grappling with a case that underscores the ongoing issue of gender violence within the country.
This incident marks a significant controversy for Namibia's inaugural female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month. Although the president's office did not specify the reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it did confirm that he is no longer a member of the National Assembly. He was appointed to parliament to represent the ruling party, Swapo.
According to ongoing police investigations, Hengari faces multiple charges, including rape, kidnapping, and assault. During a recent court appearance in Windhoek, he was charged with obstructing justice. His alleged co-conspirators and Hengari will remain detained until a hearing scheduled for June 3, as the court has expressed concerns about potential flight risks and witness tampering.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, has criticized Hengari's arrest as a significant "failure of leadership" and has highlighted the alarming number of gender-based violence cases reported in Namibia last year, which stood at 4,814 in a country of three million people. Adding to the criticism, the party questioned the vetting process of the president, stating that Hengari was appointed despite a criminal investigation supposedly initiated in November 2024.
Following her victory in the recent elections with 58% of the vote, President Nandi-Ndaitwah formed a cabinet notable for its female representation, which includes nine women out of 14 members. The administration is now grappling with a case that underscores the ongoing issue of gender violence within the country.
