President relieves Agriculture Minister of duties amid corruption allegations

State House, Auasblick

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has relieved Mac-Albert Hengari, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, from his position, effective 23 April 2025. The decision comes in the wake of mounting criminal charges against Hengari, who was arrested on Saturday in Windhoek.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Office of the President confirmed Hengari’s termination, explaining that the minister had failed to submit his resignation as requested by 23 April 2025. Hengari had been appointed to the Cabinet just one month earlier, on 22 March 2025. His dismissal also includes his withdrawal from the National Assembly.

Former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Dr. Mac Albert Hengari

The charges against Hengari are severe. The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) confirmed that Hengari was arrested on Saturday for allegedly attempting to bribe the victim in a rape case against him. He is accused of offering N$230,000 in cash to the victim in an effort to have the case withdrawn. Hengari faces 11 charges, including rape, kidnapping, and abortion, linked to a 21-year-old woman who claims he raped her since she was 15.

Hengari’s arrest is the latest in a series of troubling allegations, and his legal team is expected to face further developments as the case progresses. NamPol spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed the arrest, but did not provide additional details about the ongoing investigation.

“We’re not talking about that.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform is left without leadership as Hengari is no longer part of the Cabinet or National Assembly. The Presidency declined to comment on the matter when contacted. In a telephone call with Future Media, Press Secretary Dr. Alfredo Hengari, stated, “We’re not talking about that.”

Questions have arisen regarding the vetting process that led to Hengari’s appointment, but the State House also declined to address these concerns.

Last week, Public Policy Analyst Dr. Marius Kudumo told Future Media News that a failure to properly vet individuals appointed to public office can severely undermine public trust in government institutions. He explained that when individuals with questionable backgrounds or undisclosed conflicts of interest enter public service, it compromises accountability and weakens the credibility of the entire system.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Hengari’s future remains uncertain. More updates are expected as the investigation continues, and Namibians await clarity on the political and legal repercussions of the case.

Hengari’s resignation contributes to a rare instance where ministers have resigned after facing arrest. In 2019, former ministers Sacky Shanghala and Bernhard Esau also resigned after being implicated in the “Fishrot” corruption scandal, which included allegations of bribery and money laundering within the fishing industry.

The post President relieves Agriculture Minister of duties amid corruption allegations first appeared on Future Media News.

The post President relieves Agriculture Minister of duties amid corruption allegations appeared first on Future Media News.