In a swift and decisive move, Namibia’s President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has dismissed the country’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari, amid serious criminal allegations.
The announcement, made in an official statement shared via the presidency’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, stated:
“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 Hon. Dr. Mac-Albert Hengari of his duties as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.”
Hengari’s dismissal comes less than 24 hours after his arrest on Saturday, following accusations of rape, gender-based violence, and kidnapping. Local media sources report that the charges stem from an incident involving a 21-year-old woman, with allegations dating back to last year. The case has attracted national attention and sparked widespread public outrage.
There are conflicting narratives surrounding Hengari’s departure from office. While the presidency’s statement confirms his dismissal, the former minister himself claims he had already submitted his resignation prior to being officially removed.
“I resigned as minister, but I cannot comment further,” Hengari told local reporters briefly, refusing to elaborate on the circumstances.
Sources close to the investigation allege that Hengari sexually assaulted the woman and later attempted to bribe her in a bid to persuade her to withdraw the charges. The scandal has shocked many Namibians, particularly given Hengari’s relatively recent appointment to high office.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah had appointed Hengari in March 2025, following her victory in Namibia’s tightly contested elections. He was among the top eight candidates she prioritized for key government positions, signalling trust in his capabilities to drive reforms in Namibia’s critical agricultural sector.
His swift fall from grace marks a significant blow to the president’s efforts to project an image of integrity and accountability in the new administration.
The Presidency emphasized its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of political standing.
“The Government of Namibia reaffirms its zero-tolerance stance toward gender-based violence and misconduct. We remain committed to ensuring that justice is served, and the dignity and rights of all Namibians are safeguarded,” the statement added.
The investigation into the allegations remains ongoing. Law enforcement authorities have indicated that more details will be made available once preliminary inquiries are concluded.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations and women’s rights advocates have praised President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s action, describing it as a bold and necessary step toward accountability.
“This sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and that acts of gender-based violence will not be tolerated under this administration,” said Maria Kapere, a leading activist with the Namibia Women’s Coalition, in an interview with The Namibian newspaper.
However, critics argue that the administration should conduct a thorough vetting process to prevent individuals with questionable backgrounds from occupying top government posts in the future.
“The fact that such serious allegations existed, yet the individual still made it to a ministerial position, raises concerns about the thoroughness of background checks and internal assessments,” political analyst Joel Mwinga told local media.
The scandal comes at a time when Namibia, like many countries in southern Africa, is grappling with high rates of gender-based violence. Statistics released earlier this year by the Namibian Police Force indicated a worrying increase in reported cases, with calls growing louder for more concrete government action.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who made combating gender-based violence a central pillar of her campaign platform, now faces mounting pressure to not only clean house but also to fast-track systemic reforms that address the root causes of such crimes.
In the short term, the focus will likely remain on the legal proceedings against Hengari. The former minister is expected to appear in court soon, where formal charges will be laid against him.
As the investigation unfolds, many Namibians are watching closely to see how the government handles the matter and whether Hengari’s prosecution will set a precedent for future cases involving high-ranking officials.
There has been no immediate announcement regarding who will replace Hengari as Minister of Agriculture. Analysts suggest that an interim appointment is likely in the coming days, as the government seeks to ensure continuity in a sector vital to Namibia’s economy.
Despite the controversy, political observers credit President Nandi-Ndaitwah for acting decisively in a politically sensitive situation.
“It’s a delicate balance between due process and taking immediate action to protect the credibility of government institutions,” noted Professor Anna Nghikembua, a political science lecturer at the University of Namibia. “The President’s decision to remove Hengari, rather than waiting for a drawn-out process, demonstrates strong leadership.”
As Namibia navigates the fallout from the scandal, the broader conversation about leadership integrity, accountability, and justice for survivors of gender-based violence is expected to dominate public discourse in the weeks ahead.
