Mother of Hengari’s alleged rape victim breaks silence
'I want justice, not money'
Documents show the rape case against the ex-minister was opened by a state-appointed social worker after counselling the alleged victim.
The mother of a young woman who has accused former agriculture minister Mac Hengari of repeatedly raping her as a minor has broken her silence, saying her daughter’s years of trauma led to severe depression, epilepsy and repeated suicide attempts.
The now 21-year-old woman disclosed the alleged abuse during a counselling session in October 2024, prompting her government-assigned social worker to report the matter to the police two months later.
Hengari, who had been in office for less than a month, was arrested in April this year after allegedly offering the victim N$220 000 to withdraw the charges. Her brother, who allegedly facilitated the bribe, was also arrested. Both men deny the accusations and are currently applying for bail.
In an emotional interview with Namibian Sun, Selma – whose real name is being withheld to protect her daughter’s identity – said she had long suspected something was wrong but never had the full picture.
“I started hearing rumours that my daughter had been sexually violated, but she always asked me not to report anything,” Selma said. “I didn’t have any proof, and I wasn’t home much at the time. Still, I noticed changes – her body was maturing fast, and she no longer seemed like the innocent girl I knew.”
Selma said the full extent of her daughter’s trauma became more apparent in 2024, when she gave birth to a baby girl, struggled with mental illness, and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and epilepsy.
A government-appointed social worker who assisted the young woman in October and November 2024 described her as being in “deep emotional distress” and in need of ongoing psychological support.
Another report confirmed that the young mother was unable to breastfeed due to her health condition. The baby is now being cared for by Selma, who says the child was born prematurely and required intensive care.
Bribes and broken trust
Selma claims she was offered money, as much as N$1 million, in exchange for her silence but refused, but added that some family members allegedly accepted the cash behind her back.
"I do not want money at all. I just want justice for my child,” she said.
“The police used my daughter in a sting operation. That’s how her brother (Hengari’s co-accused) got involved. I still don’t believe he would’ve accepted the money, because I told all my children we will not take bribes.”
She also accused police investigators of mishandling crucial evidence, including audio messages she claims documented her interactions with Hengari.
“They took my phones, then returned them wiped clean. They said they backed up the files, but the proof is now gone,” she alleged.
A mother's regret
Selma also admitted to overlooking warning signs of potential abuse, including unexplained money and luxury items her daughter had started acquiring.
“She had flashy wigs and nice clothes, but I didn’t buy any of them. I beat her, trying to get answers. I thought she was just misbehaving,” she said.
In 2022 and 2023, Selma noticed her daughter discharging breast milk, but there was no visible pregnancy. “It made no sense to me. Out of frustration, I accused her of promiscuity. I called her terrible names. I now see I was wrong,” she said, weeping.
“I should’ve shown more empathy. Instead, I was angry, cold and abusive. Eventually, she stopped speaking to me altogether.”
Family in crisis
According to Selma, the trauma has left her entire family shattered.
“My daughter is unwell. When she’s calm, she copes better – but sadness worsens her condition. My son is in jail, and now my middle child is showing signs of depression too,” she said. “Our family is broken.”
Selma also raised concerns about how DNA testing related to the baby was conducted, saying she was not informed or consulted. Police previously confirmed they had taken samples from Hengari and the alleged victim to establish paternity.
“I read in the media that a DNA test had been done, but I wasn’t told anything," she said.
Since Hengari’s arrest, Selma said she has had no contact with her daughter and does not know the whereabouts of either her or her granddaughter.
'Not for sale’
Selma dismissed suggestions that she profited from her daughter’s suffering.
“I am not selling my child. I’m a businesswoman – I sell food, I do events decor, I trade at expos. People must stop accusing me of making money off my daughter. If anyone has proof I sold her, they must report it to the police.”
She added: “She’s my only daughter. I had dreams for her. I hoped she’d grow up, be happy, and help support me one day.”
Selma said she now realises how her own parenting shortcomings may have contributed to her daughter’s silence.
“Social workers told me I was too focused on providing money, but I didn’t give emotional support. I used to beat my children, and she says that made her afraid to open up,” she said sadly.
“There were times she would just sit and cry. Her eyes looked so empty. I could tell she was hurting inside. I tried to help, but by then it was too late. The damage had been done.”
She ended with a message for other parents: “Please build a close relationship with your children. Listen to them. Support them emotionally. Don’t end up where I am today – filled with regret.”
*Selma is not her real name.
The now 21-year-old woman disclosed the alleged abuse during a counselling session in October 2024, prompting her government-assigned social worker to report the matter to the police two months later.
Hengari, who had been in office for less than a month, was arrested in April this year after allegedly offering the victim N$220 000 to withdraw the charges. Her brother, who allegedly facilitated the bribe, was also arrested. Both men deny the accusations and are currently applying for bail.
In an emotional interview with Namibian Sun, Selma – whose real name is being withheld to protect her daughter’s identity – said she had long suspected something was wrong but never had the full picture.
“I started hearing rumours that my daughter had been sexually violated, but she always asked me not to report anything,” Selma said. “I didn’t have any proof, and I wasn’t home much at the time. Still, I noticed changes – her body was maturing fast, and she no longer seemed like the innocent girl I knew.”
Selma said the full extent of her daughter’s trauma became more apparent in 2024, when she gave birth to a baby girl, struggled with mental illness, and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and epilepsy.
A government-appointed social worker who assisted the young woman in October and November 2024 described her as being in “deep emotional distress” and in need of ongoing psychological support.
Another report confirmed that the young mother was unable to breastfeed due to her health condition. The baby is now being cared for by Selma, who says the child was born prematurely and required intensive care.
Bribes and broken trust
Selma claims she was offered money, as much as N$1 million, in exchange for her silence but refused, but added that some family members allegedly accepted the cash behind her back.
"I do not want money at all. I just want justice for my child,” she said.
“The police used my daughter in a sting operation. That’s how her brother (Hengari’s co-accused) got involved. I still don’t believe he would’ve accepted the money, because I told all my children we will not take bribes.”
She also accused police investigators of mishandling crucial evidence, including audio messages she claims documented her interactions with Hengari.
“They took my phones, then returned them wiped clean. They said they backed up the files, but the proof is now gone,” she alleged.
A mother's regret
Selma also admitted to overlooking warning signs of potential abuse, including unexplained money and luxury items her daughter had started acquiring.
“She had flashy wigs and nice clothes, but I didn’t buy any of them. I beat her, trying to get answers. I thought she was just misbehaving,” she said.
In 2022 and 2023, Selma noticed her daughter discharging breast milk, but there was no visible pregnancy. “It made no sense to me. Out of frustration, I accused her of promiscuity. I called her terrible names. I now see I was wrong,” she said, weeping.
“I should’ve shown more empathy. Instead, I was angry, cold and abusive. Eventually, she stopped speaking to me altogether.”
Family in crisis
According to Selma, the trauma has left her entire family shattered.
“My daughter is unwell. When she’s calm, she copes better – but sadness worsens her condition. My son is in jail, and now my middle child is showing signs of depression too,” she said. “Our family is broken.”
Selma also raised concerns about how DNA testing related to the baby was conducted, saying she was not informed or consulted. Police previously confirmed they had taken samples from Hengari and the alleged victim to establish paternity.
“I read in the media that a DNA test had been done, but I wasn’t told anything," she said.
Since Hengari’s arrest, Selma said she has had no contact with her daughter and does not know the whereabouts of either her or her granddaughter.
'Not for sale’
Selma dismissed suggestions that she profited from her daughter’s suffering.
“I am not selling my child. I’m a businesswoman – I sell food, I do events decor, I trade at expos. People must stop accusing me of making money off my daughter. If anyone has proof I sold her, they must report it to the police.”
She added: “She’s my only daughter. I had dreams for her. I hoped she’d grow up, be happy, and help support me one day.”
Selma said she now realises how her own parenting shortcomings may have contributed to her daughter’s silence.
“Social workers told me I was too focused on providing money, but I didn’t give emotional support. I used to beat my children, and she says that made her afraid to open up,” she said sadly.
“There were times she would just sit and cry. Her eyes looked so empty. I could tell she was hurting inside. I tried to help, but by then it was too late. The damage had been done.”
She ended with a message for other parents: “Please build a close relationship with your children. Listen to them. Support them emotionally. Don’t end up where I am today – filled with regret.”
*Selma is not her real name.
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