Iuze Mukube
Former fisheries, land reform and agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari (59) and his 30-year-old co-accused made their first court appearance yesterday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
The duo, who appeared before Magistrate Monica Andjaba, each face a charge of attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice.
It is alleged that on 26 April 2025 in the district of Windhoek, Hengari wrongfully and unlawfully attempted to defeat the course of justice by offering the 21-year-old complainant N$222 000 to withdraw the rape case she had opened against him.
The State, represented by Seredine Jacobs, objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the case and the strength of the State’s case; not in the interest of the public or administration of justice; as well as the fear of interference with police investigations or State witnesses.
Additionally, with respect to the second accused, he is a flight risk, as he is a resident of Germany.
The second suspect’s identity cannot be revealed as he is reportedly a relative of the alleged rape victim.
In response to enquiries about the ongoing police investigations, Jacobs indicated that a few witness statements and reports from the forensic lab, currently being extracted from the devices, are still outstanding.
The matter was postponed to 3 June 2025 for further investigations.
Hengari was arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the victim with N$222 000 to withdraw the rape case she opened against him.
The arrest follows an investigation into 11 criminal charges alleged against Hengari, including rape, kidnapping, abortion, supplying liquor to a minor and administering substances in contravention of the Immoral Practices Act. The allegations involve a 21-year-old woman, who claims that Hengari repeatedly raped her since she was 15.
Hengari has since resigned from his ministerial position on Sunday, after serving just over a month since his appointment on 22 March 2025 by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The two accused remain in custody at the Windhoek Correctional Facility. Milton Engelbrecht is representing Hengari, and Enos Mwakondange the second accused.