Namibia's Agriculture Minister Dismissed Amid Rape Allegations

Mac-Albert Hengari, the agriculture minister of Namibia, has been fired following accusations of raping a 16-year-old girl five years prior. The 59-year-old was arrested for reportedly attempting to bribe the now-21-year-old victim to retract her allegations. Following his court appearance where he was denied bail due to concerns he might attempt to flee or influence witnesses, the minister is now under investigation for charges such as kidnapping, rape, and assault. This scandal marks a significant challenge for the newly appointed female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who recently formed a cabinet lauded for its female representation. The opposition party has criticized the leadership's handling of this incident, pointing to ongoing widespread gender-based violence in Namibia, where over 4,800 cases were reported last year. The political fallout from this case reflects concerns regarding vetting processes within the government, particularly in matters impacting gender violence.