Windhoek: Former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mac-Albert Hengari, was denied bail during his initial appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Hengari is charged with attempting to obstruct justice amid ongoing investigations into allegations of rape against him. He allegedly tried to bribe the victim with N.dollars 222,000 to withdraw the case.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Hengari was arrested on Saturday along with the victim’s brother, whose name has been withheld to protect the victim’s identity. The brother is reportedly residing in Germany. State prosecutor Seredine Jacobs objected to bail, citing the case’s seriousness, the likelihood of interference with investigations and witnesses, and concerns about the potential abscondment of the victim’s brother.

Jacobs stated that additional charges would be filed, and two witness statements are pending. Magistrate Monica Andjamba has postponed the case to June 3, 2025. Namibian Police Force spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed that Hengari is being investigated in a rape case involving a victim who was 16 years old at the time of the alleged incidents and is now 21.

Shikwambi emphasized that the investigation is active and complex, spanning approximately five years. The case was registered in November 2024 and remains under thorough investigation. Defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht is representing Hengari, while Enos Mwakondange is representing the victim’s brother.