Man claims paternity of baby in Hengari rape probe

A 40-year-old man, Joseph ‘Daylight’ Mungandjera, has come forward claiming he is the biological father of the baby at the centre of a high-profile rape investigation involving former agriculture minister Mac Hengari.Mungandjera says he submitted a DNA sample to police investigators five months ago but has yet to receive feedback or be granted access to the child.In an exclusive interview with Namibian Sun, Mungandjera detailed his alleged relationship with the 21-year-old complainant in the Hengari matter, how it reportedly broke down, and why he believes he is being kept from his child.“Everyone knew I was the father”According to Mungandjera, he and the woman – who cannot be named as she is an alleged rape victim – were in a relationship for about five months in 2023. During that time, they lived together in Windhoek and prepared for the baby’s arrival.“We were happy. We went to the hospital together for check-ups, bought clothes for the baby, and even told her family. Everyone knew I was the father,” he said. “She was doing nursing at the time. After school, she’d come to my [cellphone repair] shop, and then we’d go home together.”Mungandjera said the woman confided in him about a traumatic incident in 2019, during which she was allegedly drugged and raped. She was around 16 years old at the time. The woman allegedly told him that the perpetrator later arranged for her to have a secret abortion through a private doctor.“She told me everything – how it happened, how she bled, how she was given medicine without knowing it was for an abortion. She was scared I would leave her, but I said no. I stood by her.”He said he encouraged her to report the assault to the police. “I told her she needed to speak out. Eventually, she did. But that’s when everything changed.”Alleged threats and relocationAccording to Mungandjera, after the criminal case was opened, he became a target. The man accused in the case allegedly threatened legal action against him, and the complainant warned that people were looking for him.“She said I was now in danger too. I saw the messages. She was scared, and so was I,” he said. “That’s why I ran away to Rundu and stayed there the whole year. I had to protect myself.”Allegations of bribery and interferenceMungandjera further claimed that the complainant’s family, particularly her mother and brother, began receiving money from the man accused in the rape case. Hengari was arrested in April along with the complainant’s brother after police caught the former minister in possession of N$220 000, allegedly intended as a bribe to convince the woman to withdraw the case.“The mother used to get N$10 000 a month from the man – apparently for hospital costs because of the damage he caused to [the woman’s] body,” Mungandjera alleged. “When I came into the picture, the money stopped. That’s when everything changed.”He said the woman’s mother later arrived at their shared home and took her daughter’s belongings without explanation. “From that day, I never saw her again. I was blocked. The family took her away and they kept the baby from me too,” he said.He added that the woman once showed him messages from her mother’s phone, which allegedly showed further financial exchanges with the accused.DNA sample and frustrationEarlier this year, Mungandjera said police located him in Rundu after the woman informed investigators he might be the child’s biological father. He said he provided a DNA sample and a full statement but has received no update since.“I gave them my DNA and everything they asked for, but no one has come back to me. When I call, they just say the case has been handed over to social workers.”He stressed that he is willing to undergo another DNA test. “If there’s any doubt, they can do another DNA test in front of me. I know this child is mine. I want to be in the child’s life.”His primary concern now, he said, is the child’s wellbeing and ensuring that paternity is confirmed through a fair and transparent process.“I’ve never even met my child. I know the baby is mine. The community knows, the family knows. But I’ve been shut out completely. If they doubt me, I’m asking the government to step in, test again, and give me the result.”“This is not about politics”Mungandjera said he is not attempting to interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation against Hengari. In April, Inspector-General Joseph Shikongo confirmed that DNA samples had been collected from Hengari and the complainant in connection with the case, which includes allegations of rape and forced abortion. Police have yet to respond to questions from Namibian Sun regarding Mungandjera’s DNA sample or the status of Hengari’s results.“This is not about politics. This is about a child who deserves to know the truth and a father who just wants to be part of that truth,” he said.He also rejected speculation that his claim is being orchestrated by third parties to deflect attention from the allegations against Hengari. Mungandjera said his decision to come forward now stems from concerns about the woman’s mental health and the child’s welfare.“How can a child be raised by someone who allowed her own daughter to be exploited? I’m not here to protect anyone. I just want justice for my child and for the truth to come out.”Hengari faces multiple chargesAlthough Hengari has not been formally charged in connection with the rape allegations, he is currently in custody and applying for bail. He faces several other charges, including bribery and obstruction of justice. On the rape-related allegations, he could face up to 11 criminal counts, including rape and kidnapping.

Man claims paternity of baby in Hengari rape probe

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-08

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Man claims paternity of baby in Hengari rape probe

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-08

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