By Ebi Kesiena
Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Mac Albert Hengari, has been dismissed from office following allegations that he attempted to bribe a rape victim to withdraw charges against him.
Hengari, who was one of eight non-voting members recently appointed to Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was sacked just 27 days after his appointment on 22 March. His swift dismissal marks a dramatic fall from grace and underscores the government’s stance on accountability.
According to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Hengari was arrested on Saturday after allegedly offering a bribe to the victim of a sexual assault case in which he is the prime suspect. Authorities say Hengari is under investigation for repeatedly engaging in sexual activities with a minor between 2019 and September 2024.
In a statement cited by NBC, the Presidency confirmed that Hengari had been fired, noting that President Nandi-Ndaitwah had initially expected him to tender his resignation by the previous Wednesday. His failure to do so prompted the President to take decisive action, signalling zero tolerance for misconduct among public officials.
Namibian Police Chief, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, confirmed Hengari’s arrest and stated that law enforcement officers were finalising the charges against him. “The team is working to compile the charges, and he will be charged during the course of the day so he may appear in court tomorrow,” Shikongo said.
Hengari is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday as legal proceedings begin.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Namibia’s political landscape, coming at a time when the government has pledged to uphold transparency, strengthen the rule of law, and rebuild public trust. Hengari’s dismissal serves as a warning that criminal allegations, particularly those involving vulnerable victims, will not be tolerated at any level of leadership.
