Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Following Rape Allegations

Namibia's agriculture minister was dismissed after being accused of raping a minor and attempting to bribe the victim to withdraw the charges. His arrest marks the first scandal for President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who faces scrutiny over government responses to gender-based violence in the country.

Namibia's agriculture minister has been relieved of his duties following accusations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. Mac-Albert Hengari, who was dismissed from the National Assembly, was arrested last Saturday after reportedly trying to bribe the now 21-year-old victim to retract her allegations. The 59-year-old minister, who has denied the accusations, appeared before a magistrate on Monday where he was denied bail.

This incident marks a significant challenge for Namibia’s newly elected president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office just a month prior. The presidential statement regarding Hengari's dismissal did not elaborate on the specifics, but police confirmed that he is under investigation for multiple offenses, including kidnapping and assault.

Opposition party Independent Patriots for Change condemned Hengari's arrest as indicative of a failure in leadership, especially in light of the ongoing issues concerning gender-based violence in the country. Last year, Namibia reported 4,814 cases of such violence, highlighting a serious societal issue.

Critics have also expressed concerns over the vetting process for government appointments, questioning how Hengari was nominated to parliament despite an ongoing criminal investigation. President Nandi-Ndaitwah has made history with her cabinet choices, as nine out of 14 cabinet members are women, embodying a commitment to diversity.

The president, who secured a 58% victory in the November elections, now faces scrutiny over the integrity of her administration's approach to gender issues and violence. Hengari and his co-defendants will remain in custody until their next court hearing is scheduled.