Hengari, 59, was arrested on Saturday after, according to police reports, he attempted to bribe the victim, now 21, to drop the complaint. He appeared before a Windhoek Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where he was denied bail. Authorities expressed concerns that he was a flight risk or might attempt to influence witnesses.
The President’s Office announced Hengari’s immediate dismissal in a statement, without elaborating on the reasons. He was also removed from his position as a member of the National Assembly, for which he had been nominated by the ruling Swapo party.
Hengari, who denies any wrongdoing, faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, rape, assault, and obstruction of justice. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 3.
The arrest and dismissal sparked fierce criticism. The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party called the situation “a serious failure of leadership.” The opposition party highlighted the incumbent government’s apparent contradiction by appointing Hengari “despite an investigation reportedly being initiated in November 2024.”
The IPC also drew attention to the wider gender-based violence crisis in Namibia, citing 4,814 reported cases last year in a country of just over three million people.
Minister Mac-Albert Hengari’s Scandal A Setback for President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet
The scandal comes at a sensitive time for President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who only took office last month after winning the November elections with 58% of the vote.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, 7, had positioned her government as a champion of gender equality and integrity, setting high expectations for leadership accountability. However, Hengari’s case now threatens to overshadow those early efforts and raises questions about her young administration’s vetting processes and political judgment.
