Mac Hengari’s fall from power

Former agriculture minister Mac Hengari knew his days as one of the country’s most powerful ministers were numbered after allegations of raping a teenager lingered on.

He had already written his resignation letter, prepared for public release, by Thursday. But he thought he had more time.

According to people close to him, Hengari was briefed that the alleged victim wanted to relocate to Canada.

He then asked president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for more time to resign. It appears he then played one of the most desperate cards in his deck: attempting to pay his victim N$230 000 in cash. Hengari was arrested at around 17h30 on Saturday. The Namibian understands that the payment was supposed to the first installment of a total of N$750 000, to fund the alleged victim’s relocation to Canada.

Since she was in a safe house, Hengari is said to have been contacted by a relative of the alleged victim, who arranged a meeting near a popular restaurant in Eros in the capital.

“The relative is the one that took Hengari to the place and the police were called,” a source familiar with this matter said.

Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo confirmed that Hengari is expected to be formally charged and could appear in court soon.

The police’s national spokesperson, deputy commisioner Kauna Shikwambi, also confirmed Hengari’s arrest yesterday.

“Hengari is indeed arrested after he attempted to bribe the victim to withdraw the case. That is what he was arrested for. That’s all I have for now,” she said.

He is expected to face more charges, such as conspiracy, defeating the course of justice because he interfered with ongoing investigations and charges related to the Anti-Corruption Act.

Sources close to the matter say he is expected to appear in court today.

In a photo that began circulating on social media on Saturday evening, Hengari is pictured in handcuffs standing in front of money on the floor.

To some, this was the end of Hengari’s short-lived political career that only lasted for 30 days.

The Namibian spoke to Hengari early on Sunday morning and he confirmed his resignation.

“I resigned as minister, but I cannot comment further,” he said.

It appears Hengari wanted to buy more time before resigning, but president Nandi-Ndaitwah in a statement released yesterday said the former minister was dismissed on Wednesday.

“By virtue of the powers vested in the president by article 32(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has relieved Mac-Albert Hengari of his duties as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.

“The termination of tenure takes effect from Wednesday, 23 April 2025 when Hengari should have tendered his resignation. Hengari has also been withdrawn from the National Assembly,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said in the statement.

Sources told The Namibian Hengari had indicated his willingness to step down last week, but later requested permission to travel to the coast on Thursday, a request denied by the president.

Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly lost direct contact with him, and had planned to dismiss him on Monday if he had not resigned. A replacement had already been identified.

Hengari’s fall from grace has attracted questions about the president’s selection process amid concerns about the lack of vetting.

Graham Hopwood, the director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, says the incident highlights the urgent need for stricter due diligence measures to uphold the integrity of public office.

Hopwood said a thorough due diligence process was not properly conducted in this case, adding that Nandi-Ndaitwah should ensure that her appointees are properly vetted before they take office.

“The crucial aspect going forward is that the president ensures his replacement and any other appointments are the subject of rigorous due diligence. Cabinet members should be held to the highest standards of ethical conduct and any hint of impropriety should rule them out of such positions,” Hopwood said.

Hengari rose to one of Namibia’s most powerful ministries in March, after being appointed to parliament by Nandi-Ndaitwah as one of her eight candidates.

He was appointed despite an ongoing investigation into the rape case in which he allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old child, who is now 21 years old.

Hengari is being investigated in connection with 11 possible offences, including rape, abortion and kidnapping.

A police report says Hengari also faces allegations of defeating the course of justice, assault by threat, crimen injuria, abduction, administering substances in contravention of the Immoral Practices Act, pointing a firearm, supplying liquor to a minor and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Inspector general Shikongo last week confirmed that DNA samples were collected from both Hengari and the alleged victim for testing.

The Namibian understands that while results were expected on Friday, there appears to be a delay.

– Additional reporting by Donald Matthys and Puyeipawa Nakashole.