Protesters demand rape-accused former minister Hengari’s release, slam ‘public humiliation’
A group of protesters on Wednesday called for the release of former agriculture minister Mac Hengari from police detention, saying several allegations, including the rape of a minor, against him are false.
The group is planning to protest at Hengari’s formal bail application next week.
Spokesperson Rirua Komeheke said the protest date has been moved from 16 May, because the group has “listened to the voice of reason”.
“We want to move the protest much closer to the day of the bail application, or exactly on that day,” he said
In a photo circulated on social media, Hengari is pictured in handcuffs with money scattered at his feet.
Komeheke asked why the reporter who took the picture posted this on social media, since arrests are considered private until the accused appears in court.
He said the arrest was intended to embarrass the former minister, and added it is important for Namibians to know their rights when they face allegations of whatever magnitude.
Making reference to the Jennifer Comalie case in which she was arrested on 27 March 2023 after drugs were allegedly found in her car, Komeheke said it shows the police can be “lowered and operate like tsotsis”.
He called on president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to establish a commission to investigate and report on the incident.
“It shows we must be afraid of the police if we think we are about to take a decision that will affect a particular person. That’s why I’m saying we must not be afraid of the police, and we are bringing this to the attention of the first citizen of the republic . . . she must establish a commission to investigate these activities,” Komeheke said.
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