In a decisive move, Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari from his position and removed him from the National Assembly, following allegations of rape and other serious charges. The minister, who was nominated to parliament by the president to represent the ruling party Swapo, was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago.
According to police, Hengari attempted to bribe the victim, now 21, to withdraw the case against him, leading to his arrest on Saturday. The minister, who has denied any wrongdoing, appeared in court on Monday and was denied bail. He is currently facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, rape, and assault, and will remain in custody until his next court hearing on June 3, 2025.
The opposition Independent Patriots for Change has criticized the government over the case, citing widespread gender violence in the country. With 4,814 gender-violence cases reported last year in a population of three million, the party argues that Hengari's arrest exposes the "hollowness of government rhetoric on gender-based violence."
The case comes at a critical time for President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office last month and has emphasized female representation in her cabinet. The president's swift action in this case may be seen as a test of her commitment to addressing gender-based violence and promoting accountability in government.
As the country grapples with the implications of this high-profile case, many will be watching to see how the government responds to allegations of abuse of power and violence against women. The outcome of this case may have significant consequences for the ruling party and the president's administration.
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