Namibia’s President has fired Agriculture Minister Mac Albert Hengari after serious accusations against him. It is claimed that Hengari r@ped a 21-year-old woman and later tried to bribe her to drop the case she filed last year.

Hengari was one of eight non-voting members recently appointed to Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. However, he lost his position only 27 days after his appointment on March 22.

According to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Hengari was arrested on Saturday, April 26. He is accused of trying to convince the victim to withdraw her case. Authorities are also investigating claims that he repeatedly had s£xual contact with a minor from 2019 until September 2024.

The Presidency confirmed his dismissal. They said President Nandi-Ndaitwah had expected Hengari to resign by Wednesday, but when he didn’t, he was officially removed from his position.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo confirmed Hengari’s arrest and said that preparations are underway to charge him. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.

A police spokesperson told the Namibian press that Hengari is being investigated for multiple crimes. Reports also suggest he could face additional charges like abduction and arranging an abortion, which is illegal in Namibia.

The President’s office announced on social media that Hengari’s dismissal became official on April 23, 2025.

This case has shocked many in Namibia and drawn attention to issues of abuse and corruption among public officials.