Posted by Amarachi on Mon 28th Apr, 2025 - tori.ng
The Presidency confirmed the dismissal, stating that President Nandi-Ndaitwah had expected Hengari’s resignation by the previous Wednesday.
Mac Albert Hengari
The Minister of Agriculture in Namibia, Mac Albert Hengari, has been dismissed for allegedly attempting 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 r@ping 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.