Justicia ShipenaÂ
Former Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari has accused the Namibian Police of criminal conduct, claiming they attempted to embarrass him and manipulate public opinion in a rape case he is involved in.
In a letter dated 2 May 2025, Hengari’s legal team, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc., alleges the police violated legal procedures and unlawfully disclosed sensitive information.
The letter demands the release of key documents for formal bail proceedings.
Hengari made his first court appearance last week alongside his co-accused on charges of attempting to obstruct justice.
He was denied bail, and the case was postponed to 3 June 2025 for further investigation.
Hengari faces allegations that on 26 April 2025, he tried to obstruct justice by offering the 21-year-old complainant N$222,000 to withdraw the rape charges she had filed against him.
His lawyers have requested several documents, including all charge sheets, the grounds for opposing bail, and evidence the State intends to use in the bail hearing.
They also seek copies of any statements made by Hengari, including warning statements and those under Section 335 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
The legal team states that on 27 April 2025, Hengari gave a warning statement at the Windhoek Regional Commander’s Office, where Commissioner Nelius Becker allegedly told Hengari that the DNA results were available and that the baby in question was not his.
Hengari’s lawyers have demanded access to these DNA results.
The legal team also claims that the complainant, believed to be in a safe house, was present at Hengari’s arrest, alongside police officers in civilian clothing and reporters from Confidente newspaper.
Hengari’s legal team says this was done to embarrass him.
They have requested all videos, photographs, transcripts, and telephone records involving the police, the complainant, Confidante journalists, the second accused, and Hengari.
The letter accuses the police of violating Section 13 of the Police Act and warns against using police power for political purposes.
The documents are demanded by 16h00 on 7 May 2025.
Hengari was arrested last month after allegedly attempting to bribe the complainant with N$222,000 to withdraw the rape charges.
This arrest follows an investigation into 11 criminal charges, including rape, kidnapping, abortion, supplying liquor to a minor, and administering substances in violation of the Immoral Practices Act.
The allegations involve a 21-year-old woman who claims Hengari repeatedly raped her since she was 15.
Hengari resigned from his ministerial position on 1 May 2025, just over a month after being appointed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 22 March 2025.
