By Rosalia Ndilinasho
WINDHOEK – Former Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Mac‑Albert Hengari, has been granted bail of N$15,000 after spending more than three months in custody, following allegations of attempting to bribe a complainant in a rape case.
The decision, handed down on Thursday by Magistrate Monica Andjaba in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court, has triggered intense public debate and criticism on social media, with concerns raised over judicial consistency and the handling of gender-based violence cases in Namibia.
Hengari was arrested on 26 April alongside a 31-year-old man, the biological brother of the complainant, during an alleged attempt to hand over N$220,200 in exchange for the withdrawal of a rape charge.
The complainant had earlier reported the alleged sexual assault to Namibian police, prompting a high-profile investigation.
Both accused face charges of defeating the course of justice, corruptly giving gratification, and incitement to compound, all linked to the attempted bribe.
The State initially opposed Hengari’s release, citing risks of witness interference and potential flight. However, the court granted bail under stringent conditions, including the surrender of his passport, regular reporting to the police, and strict no-contact terms with the complainant.
The co-accused, who reportedly flew in from Germany to assist with the bribery attempt, broke his silence during the bail proceedings by writing to the Office of the Ombudsman.
In his letter, he claims his detention is unconstitutional and alleges that he and his family have been subjected to threats and coercive police tactics.
He further accuses law enforcement of serious misconduct, including the unlawful detention of his mother and sister, the seizure of personal property, and an orchestrated effort to entrap him and Hengari.
The defence team, led by prominent lawyer Patrick Kauta, has argued that the charges against Hengari are fundamentally flawed, asserting that he cannot be accused of attempting to influence the withdrawal of a rape case when no formal charge of rape has been laid.
The prosecution, however, maintains that the matter is still under investigation and that the charges are preliminary.
The Prosecutor-General’s office is reportedly reviewing the court’s decision and considering an appeal of the bail ruling, as well as the possibility of filing additional charges.
The case is expected to return to court later this year for a pre-trial hearing.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the matter continues to stir political and legal controversy, highlighting broader concerns around the enforcement of justice in politically sensitive cases and the country’s approach to gender-based violence.
