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 police report reveals Hengari was arrested on Saturday for allegedly trying to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her statement. Hengari, 59, has denied all allegations and was denied bail after his court appearance on Monday.
This case marks the first significant controversy for Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month. Although the president's statement did not disclose the reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it is noteworthy that he has been removed from the National Assembly as well.
Authorities say Hengari is facing an array of charges including kidnapping, rape, and assault. In court, he was charged with obstructing the course of justice, and he, along with his co-accused, will remain in custody until their next hearing scheduled for June 3. They have been deemed a flight risk and potentially capable of contacting witnesses.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, criticized the government’s leadership, suggesting Hengari's arrest showcases a failure to address rampant gender-based violence in the country, which reported over 4,800 cases last year in a nation of three million. They also questioned the vetting process for Hengari’s appointment, suggesting that concerns had been raised during an ongoing investigation prior to his nomination.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has recently appointed a cabinet lauded for its representation of women, with nine out of fourteen members being female. Having secured a 58% vote in last November’s elections, she is a long-standing member of the ruling party, Swapo, which has held power since Namibia's independence in 1990.
This case marks the first significant controversy for Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month. Although the president's statement did not disclose the reasons for Hengari's dismissal, it is noteworthy that he has been removed from the National Assembly as well.
Authorities say Hengari is facing an array of charges including kidnapping, rape, and assault. In court, he was charged with obstructing the course of justice, and he, along with his co-accused, will remain in custody until their next hearing scheduled for June 3. They have been deemed a flight risk and potentially capable of contacting witnesses.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, criticized the government’s leadership, suggesting Hengari's arrest showcases a failure to address rampant gender-based violence in the country, which reported over 4,800 cases last year in a nation of three million. They also questioned the vetting process for Hengari’s appointment, suggesting that concerns had been raised during an ongoing investigation prior to his nomination.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has recently appointed a cabinet lauded for its representation of women, with nine out of fourteen members being female. Having secured a 58% vote in last November’s elections, she is a long-standing member of the ruling party, Swapo, which has held power since Namibia's independence in 1990.
