Hengari gets November trial date

Iuze Mukube Following the transfer to the Katutura Regional Court, the trial of former agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari has been set down for commencement. He stands accused of attempting to bribe a complainant to induce her to withdraw a case against him. Magistrate Victor Nyazo yesterday allocated a date for the matter of Hengari and his 30-year-old co-accused to proceed to trial. The trial is expected to begin on 23 to 27 November 2026 and a further date of 8 to 12 February 2027 for plea and trial proceedings. Hengari and his co-accused face three charges, including corruptly giving gratification; a count of bribery, alternatively, attempted bribery; and lastly, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, alternatively, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice. On the first count, the State is alleging the accused, on or before 26 April 2026, corruptly gave the complainant in the matter the sum of N$220 000 as an inducement to withdraw a case registered against the accused. It is alleged, on the second count, that on or before 26 April 2025, the accused offered or attempted to offer a payment in cash of the amount of N$220 000 as a gift or reward to induce the victim to withdraw a case against the accused. The accused allegedly also, with intent to defeat or attempt to defeat the course of justice, on or before 26 April 2025, gave payment in cash to induce or influence the complainant to withdraw a pending case against him. The matter was initially in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court but was later transferred to the regional court on instructions of the prosecutor general when the two were arraigned. The two are out on bail. The State is represented by public prosecutor Silvia Kauluma. Demand In other developments, the former minister last month issued a formal demand to the Namibian government, seeking N$10 million in damages for what he cited was unlawful arrest, detention and prosecution in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Home Affairs and others. In the letter, Hengari claims that his arrest in April 2025 was done without a lawful warrant and was in violation of his constitutional rights. He gave a 30-day ultimatum for the government to settle the claim, failing which legal action will be instituted against several parties, including the home affairs minister, the inspector general of police, and other officials. In the same letter, he claims he was subsequently charged following his arrest with offences he argues were pursued without a sufficient legal basis and amounted to malicious prosecution. The letter was dated 20 March 2026, and the publication has yet to hear the government’s response to the demand. – mukubeiuze@gmail.com Photo: Heather Erdmann