In a shocking development in Namibian politics, Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari has been dismissed from his position following allegations of rape and attempted bribery regarding a 16-year-old girl from five years ago. His dismissal marks a significant early challenge for Namibia's new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office just last month.
Namibian Agriculture Minister Dismissed Over Rape Allegations
Namibian Agriculture Minister Dismissed Over Rape Allegations
Namibia's agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, faces serious legal troubles as he is accused of raping a teenager five years ago and attempting to bribe her to withdraw her case.
Hengari, 59, was arrested over the weekend when he allegedly tried to coerce the victim, now 21, into dropping the charges against him. Denying any wrongdoing, he appeared in court on Monday to face multiple charges which also include kidnapping and assault. The judge denied him bail, emphasizing the flight risk and potential witness tampering as reasons for keeping him in custody as he awaits further hearings scheduled for June 3.
The country's opposition party has condemned the government's handling of the situation, deeming Hengari's charges a "profound failure of leadership," especially in light of the exacerbating problem of gender-based violence in Namibia, where nearly 5,000 such cases were reported last year.
Hengari's appointment to parliament was facilitated by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who recently emphasized female representation within her cabinet, comprising nine women out of fourteen members. Despite the president's promises for change, Hengari's situation sheds light on the deeply rooted issues of gender violence and the apparent gaps in vetting candidates for political positions.
As this case unfolds, it raises significant questions about governance and the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence in Namibia's political landscape.
The country's opposition party has condemned the government's handling of the situation, deeming Hengari's charges a "profound failure of leadership," especially in light of the exacerbating problem of gender-based violence in Namibia, where nearly 5,000 such cases were reported last year.
Hengari's appointment to parliament was facilitated by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who recently emphasized female representation within her cabinet, comprising nine women out of fourteen members. Despite the president's promises for change, Hengari's situation sheds light on the deeply rooted issues of gender violence and the apparent gaps in vetting candidates for political positions.
As this case unfolds, it raises significant questions about governance and the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence in Namibia's political landscape.
