Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amid Rape Allegations

The dismissal of Hengari marks a significant controversy for Namibia's government, as it grapples with gender-based violence issues.

Namibia has recently seen a shakeup in its government as Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari was sacked and arrested due to grave accusations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. The police reported that Hengari, now 21, allegedly attempted to bribe the victim to recant her allegations against him, prompting his arrest on Saturday.

At 59, Hengari vehemently denies the accusations and appeared in court on Monday, where he was denied bail on the grounds of being a potential flight risk and the possibility of influencing witnesses. His arrest is particularly notable, as it represents the first major scandal for Namibia's newly elected president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month.

In an announcement from the president's office, the reasons for Hengari's dismissal from both his ministerial position and the National Assembly were not detailed. He was initially appointed to parliament to represent the ruling party, Swapo. Authorities are investigating multiple charges against him, including kidnapping, rape, and assault.

The opposition group, Independent Patriots for Change, has criticized Hengari’s allegations of "rape, kidnapping, and forced abortion" as indicative of a significant leadership failure regarding the government’s stance on gender-based violence. With over 4,800 gender-related violence cases reported last year in a country of just three million people, this incident has sparked outrage and concern regarding the state's commitment to preventing such issues.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who has been heralded for assembling a cabinet with significant female representation—nine out of fourteen members being women, including the vice-president—has faced scrutiny. The opposition suggests her administration may have overlooked critical vetting processes, considering that an investigation into Hengari was reportedly opened in November.

Hengari’s case is set to continue in court with the next hearing scheduled for June 3rd. This situation highlights ongoing societal issues in Namibia regarding the treatment of its female population amidst a backdrop of political challenges.