Latest news with #Hengari
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Namibian minister sacked after being accused of rape
Namibia's agriculture minister has been sacked after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago. Mac-Albert Hengari was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the victim, now 21, to withdraw the case against him, local media quote the police as saying. Hengari, who has denied any wrongdoing, is expected to appear in court in the coming hours. This is the first major scandal for Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, since she took office last month. The statement from the president's office did not indicate the reasons for the dismissal but said Hengari had also been dismissed from the National Assembly. Hengari was nominated to parliament by the president to represent the ruling party, Swapo. He is under investigations for multiple charges related to the case including kidnapping, rape and assault, local media report. From freedom fighter to Namibia's first female president 'Fees have fallen' in Namibia as president announces free higher education The opposition Independent Patriots for Change said Hengari's arrest "on allegations of rape, kidnapping and forced abortion" was a "profound failure of leadership and exposes the hollowness of government rhetoric on gender-based violence". It said the case came against a backdrop of "widespread gender violence", with 4,814 gender-violence cases reported last year. The country has a population of three million. The party also criticised the vetting process, saying the president had appointed Hengari "despite a criminal investigation having allegedly been opened in November 2024". President Nandi-Ndaitwah last month unveiled a cabinet described as ground-breaking for female representation - with nine out 14 members being women, including the vice-president. The 72-year-old won November's election with a 58% share of the vote. She is a long-term member of Swapo – which has been in power since the country gained independence in 1990 after a long struggle against apartheid South Africa. LISTEN: Africa Daily's interview with Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Sam Nujoma: The revolutionary leader who liberated Namibia Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Namibian Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari sacked over rape allegations
Namibia's agriculture minister has been sacked after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years Hengari was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the victim, now 21, to withdraw the case against him, local media quote the police as who has denied any wrongdoing, is expected to appear in court in the coming is the first major scandal for Namibia's first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, since she took office last month. The statement from the president's office did not indicate the reasons for the dismissal but said Hengari had also been dismissed from the National was nominated to parliament by the president to represent the ruling party, is under investigations for multiple charges related to the case including kidnapping, rape and assault, local media freedom fighter to Namibia's first female president'Fees have fallen' in Namibia as president announces free higher educationThe opposition Independent Patriots for Change said Hengari's arrest "on allegations of rape, kidnapping and forced abortion" was a "profound failure of leadership and exposes the hollowness of government rhetoric on gender-based violence".It said the case came against a backdrop of "widespread gender violence", with 4,814 gender-violence cases reported last year. The country has a population of three party also criticised the vetting process, saying the president had appointed Hengari "despite a criminal investigation having allegedly been opened in November 2024".President Nandi-Ndaitwah last month unveiled a cabinet described as ground-breaking for female representation - with nine out 14 members being women, including the 72-year-old won November's election with a 58% share of the is a long-term member of Swapo – which has been in power since the country gained independence in 1990 after a long struggle against apartheid South Africa. More about Namibia from the BBC: LISTEN: Africa Daily's interview with Netumbo Nandi-NdaitwahSam Nujoma: The revolutionary leader who liberated Namibia Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Namibia minister sacked over rape charge
Namibia's president has dismissed agriculture minister Mac Hengari, her office announced Sunday, as reports emerged that he is under investigation for alleged rape. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's statement came as a police spokesperson confirmed media reports that an investigation had been opened into Hengari. According to reports in the country's press, a minor has accused him of having raped her. Hengari had only been appointed to the government post in March. "President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has relieved Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari of his duties as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform," the president's office said in a statement shared on social media. "The termination of tenure takes effect from Wednesday, 23 April 2025 when Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari should have tendered his resignation," it added. According to Namibian press reports, Hengari may also face prosecution for abduction and abortion, which is illegal in the conservative southern African country. AFP
