By A seismic scandal has rocked Namibia, as the nation’s Minister for Agriculture, Mac-Albert Hengari, was arrested on Saturday, April 26, 2025, facing grave allegations of rape, kidnapping, assault, and bribery.
The charges stem from an alleged crime committed in 2019, when Hengari is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl. Now, as the case unfolds, it has cast a shadow over Namibia’s political landscape, drawing sharp criticism and raising questions about leadership, accountability, and the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in the country.
The Arrest: A Minister Caught in the Act
The arrest of Mac-Albert Hengari, a 59-year-old member of the ruling Swapo party, was nothing short of dramatic. On Saturday, authorities apprehended Hengari while he was allegedly attempting to bribe the victim—now 21 years old—with $12,200 (approximately N$230,000) to withdraw her case against him. A widely circulated image from the scene, shared on X by user @SIKAOFFICIAL1, captures the moment of his arrest: Hengari stands in handcuffs beside a car, his head bowed, as stacks of cash lie scattered on the ground. A police officer with a clipboard and camera documents the scene, underscoring the seriousness of the bribery charge.
Hengari, who had been nominated to parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to represent Swapo, was swiftly sacked from his position as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform. The president’s office also confirmed his dismissal from the National Assembly, though the statement avoided explicitly mentioning the allegations. According to police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, Hengari is under investigation for multiple charges, including kidnapping, rape, assault, and now bribery. The case has been adjourned until June 3, 2025, with Hengari remanded in custody after being denied bail.
The Allegations: A Crime from 2019 Resurfaces
The allegations against Hengari date back to 2019, when the victim was just 16 years old. She claims that Hengari raped her, an act that has since been compounded by accusations of kidnapping and assault. The case remained unresolved for years, but the victim, now 21, has come forward to seek justice.
According to reports from Sahara Reporters, the young woman has been grappling with severe trauma, including suicidal thoughts, as a result of the ordeal. She, along with her mother and baby, has been placed under police protection in a safe house, with social workers providing ongoing support.
The attempted bribe has added a new layer of complexity to the case. Hengari allegedly offered the victim N$230,000 to drop the charges, a move that backfired when authorities intervened. The cash found at the scene of his arrest—visible in the X post—serves as damning evidence of his attempt to obstruct justice, further tarnishing his reputation and raising questions about his moral fitness for leadership.
The Courtroom: A Nation Watches
A second image shared in the same X thread shows Hengari in court, seated in the dock labeled “Accused 1.” Dressed in a suit, he appears stoic as the courtroom buzzes with onlookers, including journalists, legal representatives, and members of the public. The atmosphere is tense, reflecting the gravity of the charges and the high-profile nature of the accused.
The case has drawn significant attention, not only because of Hengari’s status as a government minister but also because it marks the first major scandal under Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who assumed office in March 2025.
The courtroom proceedings are a microcosm of the broader societal reckoning taking place in Namibia. Gender-based violence (GBV) has long been a pressing issue in the country, with the opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) noting that 4,814 cases of GBV were reported in 2024 alone.
The IPC condemned Hengari’s actions as a “profound failure of leadership,” arguing that his arrest “exposes the hollowness of government rhetoric on gender-based violence.” For many Namibians, this case is not just about one man’s crimes but about systemic failures to address GBV and hold powerful figures accountable.
The Political Fallout: A Test for President Nandi-Ndaitwah
The scandal has placed immense pressure on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who made history as Namibia’s first female president when she took office last month. Nandi-Ndaitwah, born on October 29, 1952, in Onamutai, northern Namibia, has a storied career as a freedom fighter, political activist, and diplomat.
As noted in a 2024 article by The Namibian, her rise to the presidency was seen as a milestone for gender equality in a country where Afrobarometer surveys have shown increasing support for women in political leadership. Yet, just weeks into her tenure, this scandal threatens to overshadow her administration’s early days.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s decision to sack Hengari was swift, signaling her administration’s intolerance for such allegations. However, critics argue that more systemic change is needed to address the root causes of GBV and corruption in Namibia’s political sphere. The president’s office has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Hengari’s dismissal, but the public outcry suggests that her administration will need to take decisive action to restore trust.
The opposition has seized on the scandal to highlight what they see as broader failures within the ruling Swapo party. The IPC’s statement accused the government of paying lip service to GBV issues while failing to address the underlying culture of impunity that allows such crimes to persist. For many Namibians, Hengari’s arrest is a stark reminder of the disconnect between political rhetoric and reality when it comes to protecting vulnerable citizens, particularly women and girls.
Gender-Based Violence in Namibia: A Growing Crisis
The Hengari case has reignited conversations about gender-based violence in Namibia, a country where such incidents remain alarmingly common. The IPC’s citation of 4,814 GBV cases in 2024 underscores the scale of the problem, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Activists have long called for stronger legal protections, better support systems for survivors, and a cultural shift to dismantle patriarchal norms that enable violence.
The victim in this case, now 21, is a testament to the long-lasting impact of such trauma. Her relocation to a safe house, along with her mother and baby, highlights the ongoing risks faced by survivors who speak out against powerful figures.
Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo confirmed that the victim is receiving support from social workers, but her suicidal thoughts reveal the deep psychological scars left by the alleged assault and its aftermath.
This case also raises questions about accountability for those in positions of power. Hengari, as a government minister, was entrusted with upholding the public good, yet his alleged actions represent a betrayal of that trust. For many Namibians, his arrest is a call to action, demanding that leaders be held to the highest ethical standards and that survivors of GBV receive the justice and support they deserve.
What’s Next: A Long Road to Justice
As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the Namibian justice system to deliver a fair and transparent trial. The adjournment until June 3, 2025, means that the victim, her family, and the public will have to wait for resolution, prolonging an already painful process.
Hengari’s denial of bail reflects the seriousness of the charges, but it also underscores the challenges of ensuring a fair trial in a high-profile case where public sentiment is overwhelmingly against the accused.
For President Nandi-Ndaitwah, the scandal is a critical test of her leadership. Her administration will need to address not only the immediate fallout from Hengari’s arrest but also the broader issues of GBV and corruption that this case has brought to the forefront. Initiatives to strengthen legal protections for survivors, improve access to mental health support, and promote accountability within the government could help restore public confidence.
For the victim, the road to healing will be long and arduous. Her bravery in coming forward, despite the risks, has sparked a national conversation about justice and accountability. As Namibia grapples with this scandal, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of survivors and the urgent need for systemic change.
Conclusion: A Nation at a Crossroads
The arrest of Mac-Albert Hengari is more than just a legal case—it’s a moment of reckoning for Namibia. It has exposed deep-seated issues of gender-based violence, corruption, and political accountability, challenging the nation to confront uncomfortable truths. As the case unfolds, it will serve as a litmus test for the country’s justice system, its leadership, and its commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens.
For now, the image of Hengari in handcuffs, with stacks of cash at his feet, remains a haunting symbol of betrayal—a stark contrast to the courtroom where he now faces the consequences of his alleged actions. For the victim, for Namibia, and for President Nandi-Ndaitwah, the path forward is fraught with challenges, but it also offers an opportunity to chart a new course toward justice, equality, and accountability.
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