The Namibian Police have arrested agriculture and fisheries minister Mac Hengari following allegations of the rape of a teenager, kidnapping and abortion.
At least three sources have confirmed his arrest.
Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo earlier this week confirmed that DNA samples were collected from Hengari and a 21-year-old woman, who alleged that she was raped by the minister when she was 15 years old.
Hengari is facing an investigation on 11 criminal charges.
The charges range from rape and kidnapping to defeating the course of justice, assault by threat, crimen injuria, abduction and abortion.
They also include administering substances in contravention of the Immoral Practices Act, pointing a firearm, supplying liquor to a minor, and assault.
The alleged victim (21) has been placed under police protection amid ongoing investigations and public scrutiny.
Hengari has denied wrongdoing.
Earlier this week, political analyst Rui Tyitende said Hengari should consider resigning.
“How can the minister possibly execute his crucial national mandates under such a cloud of doubt? Will he be in the right state of mind to attend to policy matters while facing allegations of rape?” Tyitende asked.
“He needs to do the honourable thing and resign, and [president Netumbo] Nandi-Ndaitwah needs to immediately ensure that the legal framework that governs the vetting of public officials includes ministers and other senior politicians to prevent this from happening in the future,” he said.
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