DNA samples collected from Hengari and rape accuser
SPYL leader demands thorough investigation
SPYL leader Ephraim Nekongo is of the view that President Nandi-Ndaitwah may only act upon conclusion of police investigations.
Namibian police inspector general Joseph Shikongo has confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from both agriculture minister Mac Hengari and the 21-year-old woman who has accused him of multiple serious offences, including rape and a forced abortion.
Although Hengari has neither been arrested nor formally charged, he stands accused of repeatedly raping the woman from the time she was 16, with incidents allegedly occurring between 2019 and September 2024. The woman opened a criminal case in November 2024, also accusing the minister of forcing her to terminate a pregnancy.
Hengari was appointed as minister of agriculture in March, nearly five months after the case was opened – raising public concern over whether President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conducted adequate vetting before Hengari's Cabinet appointment.
“I can confirm that DNA has been collected, with consent from both the alleged victim and the suspect,” Shikongo said in a telephone interview with Namibian Sun late yesterday. “To prove some of the allegations, DNA testing was necessary.”
Despite currently being on leave in northern Namibia, Shikongo stressed that he has remained actively supportive of the investigation.
Investigation active
He said the police are working closely with the alleged victim, her mother and her seven-month-old baby. The woman has also claimed the infant was fathered by Hengari.
The three are being housed at a shelter in Windhoek run by the gender ministry, where they are receiving care and social support.
“Investigating an alleged rape dating back over five years is a significant undertaking, requiring time and diligence,” the police chief said.
Shikongo noted that Hengari is cooperating with the investigation through his legal representatives, and other involved parties are also engaging with investigators.
Shikongo further revealed that the alleged victim was briefly moved to a police-run shelter for closer supervision but was returned to the ministry-operated facility on Wednesday this week.
Once the investigation is complete, the case docket will be handed over to the Office of the Prosecutor General, which will decide whether or not to proceed with criminal charges against Hengari.
Shikongo directed further questions to Commissioner Theophilus Mayumbelo, head of the criminal investigation directorate, who confirmed that the case, which was originally filed in Oshakati, was transferred to Windhoek in early April, where all the alleged incidents are said to have occurred.
Mayumbelo outlined potential charges being considered, including rape, kidnapping, defeating the course of justice, assault by threat, crimen injuria, abduction, illegal abortion, administering substances in violation of the Immoral Practices Act, pointing a firearm, supplying alcohol to a minor and assault.
He confirmed that DNA samples were taken on 17 April and submitted to the Namibian Police's forensic unit, though a timeline for the results remains uncertain.
Hengari did not respond to questions sent to his phone.
SPYL reacts
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo has described the allegations against Hengari as “serious” and urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the facts.
Speaking on NTV’s The Agenda talk show, airing this Sunday, Nekongo was asked to comment on concerns over Nandi-Ndaitwah’s silence on the matter, especially given the rising number of sexual crimes reported in Namibia.
“My position on this as a leader is that those that are responsible for matters like this, such as the police, must do their work [to establish the truth],” he said.
“If there is an arrest, the president would probably know that it is a serious matter and that she could ask the minister to recuse himself. I don’t want to answer for the president, but I’m just saying the responsible institutions must do their work. Nobody is bigger than the law of the country.”
Nekongo underlined that a thorough police investigation would provide the president with the basis for any decision she might need to take.
“The severity of the allegations are very serious. One is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent law, but the police must do their work properly so that the president can take an informed decision.”
Although Hengari has neither been arrested nor formally charged, he stands accused of repeatedly raping the woman from the time she was 16, with incidents allegedly occurring between 2019 and September 2024. The woman opened a criminal case in November 2024, also accusing the minister of forcing her to terminate a pregnancy.
Hengari was appointed as minister of agriculture in March, nearly five months after the case was opened – raising public concern over whether President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conducted adequate vetting before Hengari's Cabinet appointment.
“I can confirm that DNA has been collected, with consent from both the alleged victim and the suspect,” Shikongo said in a telephone interview with Namibian Sun late yesterday. “To prove some of the allegations, DNA testing was necessary.”
Despite currently being on leave in northern Namibia, Shikongo stressed that he has remained actively supportive of the investigation.
Investigation active
He said the police are working closely with the alleged victim, her mother and her seven-month-old baby. The woman has also claimed the infant was fathered by Hengari.
The three are being housed at a shelter in Windhoek run by the gender ministry, where they are receiving care and social support.
“Investigating an alleged rape dating back over five years is a significant undertaking, requiring time and diligence,” the police chief said.
Shikongo noted that Hengari is cooperating with the investigation through his legal representatives, and other involved parties are also engaging with investigators.
Shikongo further revealed that the alleged victim was briefly moved to a police-run shelter for closer supervision but was returned to the ministry-operated facility on Wednesday this week.
Once the investigation is complete, the case docket will be handed over to the Office of the Prosecutor General, which will decide whether or not to proceed with criminal charges against Hengari.
Shikongo directed further questions to Commissioner Theophilus Mayumbelo, head of the criminal investigation directorate, who confirmed that the case, which was originally filed in Oshakati, was transferred to Windhoek in early April, where all the alleged incidents are said to have occurred.
Mayumbelo outlined potential charges being considered, including rape, kidnapping, defeating the course of justice, assault by threat, crimen injuria, abduction, illegal abortion, administering substances in violation of the Immoral Practices Act, pointing a firearm, supplying alcohol to a minor and assault.
He confirmed that DNA samples were taken on 17 April and submitted to the Namibian Police's forensic unit, though a timeline for the results remains uncertain.
Hengari did not respond to questions sent to his phone.
SPYL reacts
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo has described the allegations against Hengari as “serious” and urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the facts.
Speaking on NTV’s The Agenda talk show, airing this Sunday, Nekongo was asked to comment on concerns over Nandi-Ndaitwah’s silence on the matter, especially given the rising number of sexual crimes reported in Namibia.
“My position on this as a leader is that those that are responsible for matters like this, such as the police, must do their work [to establish the truth],” he said.
“If there is an arrest, the president would probably know that it is a serious matter and that she could ask the minister to recuse himself. I don’t want to answer for the president, but I’m just saying the responsible institutions must do their work. Nobody is bigger than the law of the country.”
Nekongo underlined that a thorough police investigation would provide the president with the basis for any decision she might need to take.
“The severity of the allegations are very serious. One is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent law, but the police must do their work properly so that the president can take an informed decision.”
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