Allexer Namundjembo
Windhoek magistrate Monica Andjaba has questioned the strength of the state’s case against former minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Mac-Albert Hengari before granting him and his co-accused bail.
The duo were granted bail of N$15 000 each with conditions. The co-accused is the 31-year-old brother of the alleged rape complainant.
In her ruling, Andjaba noted the court had not seen evidence proving that Hengari paid a bribe to the complainant to withdraw rape charges.
“The alleged N$220 000, which the state claims was paid to the complainant, was not found with her but rather on the front seat of the accused’s car, between his feet,” she said.
Hengari, during his bail application, denied bribery allegations and said the money in question was intended to pay farm workers.
“There was no N$222 000 given to the complainant. I had the money in my bag for paying workers at my farm. The only amount the complainant requested was N$200. We are wasting time and resources over N$200. No N$220 000 transaction took place,” he testified in his bail application.
He said the complainant arranged a meeting on 26 March at a Windhoek law firm to discuss legal representation in the rape case.
He further claimed that during the meeting, she asked him for N$10 000 to allegedly pay a police officer to make the case disappear. He said he refused and gave her N$200 instead.
“As soon as I gave her the money, less than a minute later, the police were knocking on my door,” Hengari said.
another encounter with the complainant at Arebbusch Lodge, where she allegedly handed him a settlement agreement document. He said they later had dinner together while police waited nearby. At the time, the complainant was reportedly staying at a safe house.
Hengari and the brother of the alleged rape complainant, were arrested on 26 March 2025 and charged with defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
They had been in custody since their arrest
Hengari told the court he is a trustee of Aquaculture Africa, a company valued at N$1.6 billion, and owns shares in multiple companies as well as a farm valued at N$20 million.
