Namibia's agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, has been dismissed from his position after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. The 59-year-old minister was arrested on Saturday for allegedly attempting to bribe the victim, now 21, to withdraw the charges. Despite his denial of wrongdoing, Hengari faces multiple serious charges, including kidnapping, assault, and obstructing justice, after appearing in Windhoek Magistrates’ Court where he was denied bail due to concerns he may flee or tamper with witnesses.
Hengari’s ousting represents a major scandal for Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office just a month ago. The president's office released a statement confirming Hengari's dismissal but did not provide specific reasons for the decision. Hengari was nominated to parliament by the president as a representative of the ruling SWAPO party, which has dominated Namibian politics since independence in 1990.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, criticized the leadership's handling of the situation, emphasizing that Hengari's arrest underscored a "profound failure of leadership" amid a national backdrop of gender-based violence, with 4,814 cases reported last year alone for a population of three million. The party also raised questions regarding the vetting process that allowed Hengari’s appointment despite ongoing criminal investigations at the time.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah, known for her historic cabinet featuring strong female representation, faces increasing scrutiny as she navigates Namibia's complex societal challenges. The next hearing in Hengari's case is scheduled for June 3, while the country grapples with pressing issues surrounding gender violence and accountability in leadership.
