Sunday, September 27, 2026

Namibian agriculture minister fired over attempt to bribe rape victim 

Mr Hengari is expected to appear in court on Monday.

• April 27, 2025
Mac Albert Hengari
Mac Albert Hengari[Credit: Instagram]

Namibia’s agriculture minister, Mac Albert Hengari, has been fired after allegedly attempting to bribe a rape victim.

Mr Hengari, one of eight non-voting members appointed to Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, was dismissed just 27 days after his appointment on March 22.

According to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Mr Hengari was arrested on Saturday for allegedly trying to bribe the victim to withdraw a case in which he is under investigation for repeatedly having sexual contact with a minor between 2019 and September 2024.

Citing the presidency, state-owned broadcaster, the NBC said “The former agriculture minister Mac Albert Hengari was, in fact, fired by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

It added, “In a brief statement, the Presidency said the President had expected Hengari’s resignation by Wednesday last week.”

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo confirmed Mr Hengari was arrested on Saturday. 

Mr Hengari is expected to appear in court on Monday.

“The team is working to compile the charges, and he will be charged during the course of the day so he may appear in court tomorrow,” Ms Shikongo told NBC.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Adamu Adaji

NationWide

FG deploys drones, satellite technology for border surveillance

Mr Adaji said technology was increasingly important because some border areas were difficult for personnel to access.

ARMED POLICE OFFICERS

States

Police arrest suspected kidnapper, rescue victim in Rivers

The command’s spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang.

Pope Leo XIV

Faith

Pope Leo to meet clerical sexual abuse victims in Lourdes

Lourdes, a town of 13,400 inhabitants, is one of Europe’s best-known pilgrimage sites.

Kama Nkemkanma

States

Ebonyi Flood: Lawmaker laments destruction, donates N4 million, noodles to victims

Regina Ogudu, a widow, said her house was totally destroyed by the flood.

European union logo

World

EU announces €710 million humanitarian aid package for Africa, other regions

According to the European Commission, one focus will be on protecting particularly vulnerable migrants.