Hengari complainant under witness protection – ministry

The justice ministry has confirmed that the complainant in a police investigation involving former agriculture minister Mac Hengari has been placed under witness protection, though it declined to confirm whether she has been relocated outside the country or remains within the country's borders.

Last week, justice ministry chief public relations officer Edmund //Khoaseb told Namibian Sun the ministry could neither confirm nor deny the complainant’s current location, citing security concerns.

He said the Witness Protection Act, 2017 (Act No. 11 of 2017), allows for witnesses to be relocated outside Namibia where necessary.

Should the witness be required to attend court proceedings, the State would ensure her attendance, he added.

//Khoaseb explained that the witness protection unit, which falls under the ministry, is responsible for authorising and coordinating the relocation of protected witnesses.

He further confirmed that all costs incurred by a witness while under the protection programme, including travel, accommodation and other related expenses, are paid for by government.

However, the ministry declined to disclose the criteria used to determine whether a witness should be relocated outside Namibia rather than remain within the country.

“The relevant factors and other considerations in this regard cannot be disclosed for security reasons,” //Khoaseb said.