Hengari demands paternity test amid rape claims

Newly appointed agriculture minister Mac Hengari has confirmed his availability for a paternity test this Friday alongside a seven-month-old child whose mother, now aged 21, alleges she had a sexual relationship with him when she was 16, and refused instructions to abort when she fell pregnant last year.The Namibian Police have confirmed an active investigation into the allegations, which date back five years, although the case was only officially lodged in November 2024. A sexual relationship between a 16-year-old and an adult would constitute statutory rape.Inspector General Joseph Shikongo released a statement on Friday describing the case as "complex," spanning a period of five years. While the statement did not name any suspect, highly-placed police sources have confirmed that Hengari is the ‘person of interest’ cited in the Shikongo statement.“From the time the information reached the Namibian Police Force in November 2024, case number CR73/11/2024 was immediately registered and is actively under investigation,” Shikongo said.“We have a person of interest in the matter that is under investigations. The alleged victim in the matter has been receiving all the necessary assistance from the Namibian Police Force and has since gave a statement under oath that is part of the docket.”He also denied allegations of a police cover-up, following claims by controversial activist Michael Amushelelo that law enforcement had suppressed the case.“At no point did any member of the Namibian Police Force refuse assistance to the young lady, nor did any officers threaten her into silence,” Shikongo emphasised.Hengari decries 'witch-hunt’Hengari, who has been a minister for just nine days, has dismissed the allegations as a ‘witch-hunt’, but said he would cooperate with any legitimate investigation.His legal team, Shikale & Associates, has demanded that Amushelelo arrange for the alleged mother and child to undergo a paternity test by Friday, 4 April 2025, at 16:00.“Our client denies paternity of the alleged child. However, he is willing to undergo a paternity test at a duly registered, reputable and mutually agreed entity such as PathCare, to establish the truth,” the lawyers said.They also stated that no police officer or investigator had contacted Hengari regarding any case lodged against him.The allegationsThe alleged victim, who was 16 years old at the time, reportedly claims that she was impregnated by Hengari previously but was forced to terminate the pregnancy. In 2024, she allegedly fell pregnant again but this time refused to undergo another abortion, leading to the birth of the seven-month-old child.Amushelelo has since published what he claims to be a screenshot of a bank transaction receipt of N$4,000, bearing Hengari’s name, allegedly sent to the woman to cover medical expenses.Hengari was one of eight nominees appointed to Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and was named minister of agriculture on the same day. It remains unclear whether the president was aware of the ongoing police investigation when she made the appointment.The case has raised serious concerns about the vetting process for Cabinet appointments, with critics questioning how thoroughly candidates were screened before taking office.As pressure mounts for Hengari’s removal, he has vowed to clear his name and has warned against false and reckless accusations.

Hengari demands paternity test amid rape claims

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Hengari demands paternity test amid rape claims

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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