Namibia’s Agriculture Minister was fired five years ago after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.
Local media quoted police as saying that Mac-Albert Hengari was arrested on Saturday, allegedly attempting to bribe the 21-year-old victim to withdraw his case.
Hengri, who denies any misconduct, is expected to appear in court in the next few hours.
This is the first major scandal for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first female president since taking office last month.
The presidential office statement did not indicate the reason for the dismissal, but said Hangarry was also rejected by the National Assembly.
Hengari was nominated to parliament by the president, representing the ruling party Swapo.
Local media reported that he is investigating several charges related to the case, including kidnapping, rape and assault.
The change of the opposition independent patriots said Hangarry’s arrest “for rape, kidnapping and forced abortions was a “serious failure of leadership and exposed the government’s rhetoric on gender-based violence.”
It said the case emerged against the backdrop of “widespread gender violence”, with 4,814 cases of gender violence reported last year. The country’s population is 3 million.
The party also criticized the review process, saying the president appointed Hengarry “even though the criminal investigation was allegedly opened in November 2024”.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah last month announced a cabinet called the groundbreaking of women’s representatives – with nine members being women, including the vice president.
The 72-year-old won the November election with 58% of the vote.
She is a long-time member of Swapo – the country has gained independence since 1990 after the country’s long-term struggle with apartheid South Africa in 1990.
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