Hengari says N$220 000 was for 'farm obligations'
Former minister testifies during bail hearing
According to Mac Hengari, he only became aware of the criminal complaint against him after his appointment as agriculture minister in March this year, despite the complaint having been formally filed in Oshakati in November 2023.
Disgraced former agriculture minister Mac Hengari (59) on Wednesday testified that the cash found on him earlier this year, which led to his arrest and multiple charges filed against him, had been withdrawn to cover farm-related expenses, including staff salaries.
“Earlier that day, before my arrest, I drove to the farm with my wife, Zelna Hengari, and returned to Windhoek later the same day. I had scheduled a meeting with my co-accused, the alleged rape victim, and their lawyer, Elia Shikongo, to discuss how they intended to navigate the process of legally retracting the rape allegations." Hengari said yesterday.
"I was carrying N$220 000 at the time, which was meant for farm-related obligations – including month-end payments to workers and other responsibilities," he explained.
This was the recollection of the former minister during his bail hearing at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court of the events leading up to what he described as his “trapful” arrest on 26 April this year.
The bail hearing began on Monday before magistrate Monica Andjaba.
Media reports alerted him
According to Hengari, who is represented by his private lawyer Mekumbu Tjitere, he only became aware of the criminal complaint against him after his appointment as agriculture minister in March this year, despite the complaint having been formally filed in Oshakati in November 2023.
“After I was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, that’s when I came to know of these rape allegations, through media reports and newspaper articles,” Hengari told the court.
The former agriculture minister also testified that on the day of his arrest, he drove to Shikongo’s office as previously arranged and waited to meet with the parties involved.
“I waited for around 30 to 40 minutes, but they didn’t arrive," he said.
He testified that the woman who has accused him of alleged rape "asked to meet at Francesco’s Restaurant in town, and after a lengthy back-and-forth, I agreed."
When he arrived, the alleged rape victim and her brother, now Hengari's co-accused, were already waiting for him.
When they met
Hengari denies meeting the alleged rape victim in 2019, the year she claims he assaulted her.
“I never met her in 2019. At that time, I was in the UK finalising my doctoral thesis. I only met her in late 2021. I have informed the police to subpoena my telephone records to confirm this,” Hengari testified.
He further explained that when the alleged rape victim’s brother attempted to resolve the matter, Hengari said it was not possible because the complainant had made a sworn statement.
“Withdrawing the statement casually was not an option, as she could face perjury charges for lying under oath. Moreover, since the allegation involved the rape of a minor, it was considered a matter for the State to prosecute," he testified.
His co-accused, who appeared unrepresented on Monday, was accompanied by lawyer Nafimane Halweendo on Wednesday.
Halweendo requested additional time to review the evidence in chief. Consequently, the case was postponed to Monday, 21 July, for the State’s and Halweendo’s cross-examination.
The charges against the duo include defeating or obstructing the course of justice, corruptly offering gratification, and incitement to commit an offence. This follows allegations that Hengari attempted to bribe a woman who has accused him of rape, offering her N$220 000 in April in exchange for withdrawing her claims.
“Earlier that day, before my arrest, I drove to the farm with my wife, Zelna Hengari, and returned to Windhoek later the same day. I had scheduled a meeting with my co-accused, the alleged rape victim, and their lawyer, Elia Shikongo, to discuss how they intended to navigate the process of legally retracting the rape allegations." Hengari said yesterday.
"I was carrying N$220 000 at the time, which was meant for farm-related obligations – including month-end payments to workers and other responsibilities," he explained.
This was the recollection of the former minister during his bail hearing at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court of the events leading up to what he described as his “trapful” arrest on 26 April this year.
The bail hearing began on Monday before magistrate Monica Andjaba.
Media reports alerted him
According to Hengari, who is represented by his private lawyer Mekumbu Tjitere, he only became aware of the criminal complaint against him after his appointment as agriculture minister in March this year, despite the complaint having been formally filed in Oshakati in November 2023.
“After I was appointed as Minister of Agriculture, that’s when I came to know of these rape allegations, through media reports and newspaper articles,” Hengari told the court.
The former agriculture minister also testified that on the day of his arrest, he drove to Shikongo’s office as previously arranged and waited to meet with the parties involved.
“I waited for around 30 to 40 minutes, but they didn’t arrive," he said.
He testified that the woman who has accused him of alleged rape "asked to meet at Francesco’s Restaurant in town, and after a lengthy back-and-forth, I agreed."
When he arrived, the alleged rape victim and her brother, now Hengari's co-accused, were already waiting for him.
When they met
Hengari denies meeting the alleged rape victim in 2019, the year she claims he assaulted her.
“I never met her in 2019. At that time, I was in the UK finalising my doctoral thesis. I only met her in late 2021. I have informed the police to subpoena my telephone records to confirm this,” Hengari testified.
He further explained that when the alleged rape victim’s brother attempted to resolve the matter, Hengari said it was not possible because the complainant had made a sworn statement.
“Withdrawing the statement casually was not an option, as she could face perjury charges for lying under oath. Moreover, since the allegation involved the rape of a minor, it was considered a matter for the State to prosecute," he testified.
His co-accused, who appeared unrepresented on Monday, was accompanied by lawyer Nafimane Halweendo on Wednesday.
Halweendo requested additional time to review the evidence in chief. Consequently, the case was postponed to Monday, 21 July, for the State’s and Halweendo’s cross-examination.
The charges against the duo include defeating or obstructing the course of justice, corruptly offering gratification, and incitement to commit an offence. This follows allegations that Hengari attempted to bribe a woman who has accused him of rape, offering her N$220 000 in April in exchange for withdrawing her claims.
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