**Mac-Albert Hengari's sacking marks a significant scandal for the newly inaugurated President Nandi-Ndaitwah.**
**Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amidst Serious Rape Allegations**
**Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amidst Serious Rape Allegations**
**Controversial arrest highlights issues of gender-based violence in the country.**
Namibia's agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, has been dismissed following grave allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. Hengari, who is currently 59 years old, was taken into custody on Saturday after reportedly attempting to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her accusations, according to the police.
Despite his denial of the charges, Hengari faced a magistrate's court where he was denied bail on Monday. This situation represents the first major controversy for Namibia’s first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who began her term just last month. Although the official statement regarding Hengari's termination did not pinpoint specific reasons, it confirmed that he has also been removed from the National Assembly.
Hengari's case has drawn attention as he is under investigation for several offenses, including kidnapping and assault. As police have noted, these serious allegations come in the context of widespread issues surrounding gender violence in Namibia, where a staggering 4,814 cases were reported last year.
The opposition party, Independent Patriots for Change, criticized the government for what they termed a "profound failure of leadership," presenting the recent developments as indicative of the ongoing challenges with gender-based violence in the nation. They further questioned the vetting processes that led to Hengari's appointment, especially since it has been alleged that a criminal investigation was initiated in November 2024.
Praising the cabinet’s female representation, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasized her commitment to addressing gender issues, as evidenced by the fact that nine out of 14 cabinet members are women. The president, who secured a 58% vote share in the recent elections, leads the ruling party, Swapo, which has held power since Namibia's independence in 1990 after the apartheid struggle.
