April 28, 2025 — Namibia’s agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari has been dismissed after being arrested on allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago, in what marks the first major scandal for the country’s new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Hengari, 59, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to withdraw her complaint, according to police reports. He appeared in a magistrates’ court in Windhoek on Monday, where he was denied bail due to concerns he might flee or tamper with witnesses. The court set the next hearing for 3 June.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah Responds Swiftly

Although the presidential statement announcing Hengari’s dismissal did not detail the reasons, it confirmed he was removed from both the Cabinet and the National Assembly, where he represented the ruling Swapo Party.

This rapid action comes only a month after President Nandi-Ndaitwah — Namibia’s first female head of state — took office, emphasizing gender equality and stronger accountability.

Hengari, a former presidential appointee, faces multiple charges including rape, kidnapping, assault, and obstruction of justice, police say.

Opposition Criticizes Government Vetting

The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) sharply criticized the government’s handling of the case, calling it a “profound failure of leadership” and highlighting the broader crisis of gender-based violence in Namibia, where over 4,800 cases were reported last year.

The IPC also alleged serious flaws in the vetting process, noting that an investigation into Hengari was reportedly opened as early as November 2024, before his appointment.

Background: A New Era for Namibia

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s government had been praised internationally for its historic female-majority cabinet, where nine of 14 ministers are women, including the vice-president. She won the November 2024 election with 58% of the vote, continuing Swapo’s long hold on power since Namibia’s independence in 1990.

Now, her administration faces its first major test as it seeks to maintain public trust and reinforce its commitment to tackling gender-based violence.