Namibian Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amid Rape Allegations

Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari was dismissed after being accused of raping a teenager five years ago and attempting to silence the victim. His arrest poses a significant challenge for Namibia's first female president, highlighting the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in the country.

Namibia’s agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, has been dismissed from his position following serious allegations of rape involving a minor. The 59-year-old minister was arrested on Saturday after allegedly trying to bribe the victim, who is now 21, to retract her accusation, as reported by local police.

Hengari, who has vehemently denied the charges, appeared in court on Monday where he was denied bail. This case emerges as a significant scandal for Namibia's recently inaugurated president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, marking her presidency's first major crisis since taking office last month.

While the presidential statement did not explicitly cite the reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it was mentioned that he has also been removed from the National Assembly. The minister is currently under investigation for multiple offenses, including assault, kidnapping, and rape.

His court appearance in Windhoek centered around an obstruction of justice charge, with the court citing concerns about potential flight risks and witness tampering as factors in the decision to deny bail. The opposition group, Independent Patriots for Change, criticized the government, calling Hengari’s arrest a glaring indicator of poor leadership and underscoring the extensive prevalence of gender-based violence across the nation.

Namibia recorded over 4,800 cases of gender violence last year, demonstrating the urgency of addressing this societal issue. The opposition raised concerns regarding the appointment process, asserting that criminal investigations into Hengari were reportedly underway as far back as November 2024.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s cabinet was initially celebrated for its gender representation, with nine of the fourteen members being women, including the vice president. However, this troubling incident has reignited discussions around gender violence and accountability within the government, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat these challenges.

Having won the November election with 58% of the vote, Nandi-Ndaitwah's political resilience will be tested as the country navigates this pressing issue of domestic violence further revealed under her leadership.