Sindano Hango: Lust, rape and downfall

As a child, Sindano Hango was the envy of most boys from Embandu village, west of Oshakati.
A son of long-serving Uuvudhiya constituency councillor Amutenya Ndahafa, who served from 1992 until he voluntarily relinquished the position prior to the 2020 elections, Hango grew up in a powerful and influential environment – both politically and economically.
Hango is no ordinary Joe Sixpack. He went to university – specifically the University of Namibia’s Neudamm agriculture training campus, situated east of Windhoek.
But growing up in a well-to-do family helped him greatly. Not only was his father a councillor, but he is also a renowned businessman, a cattle farmer and a traditional leader within the Uukwambi district.
It could not be confirmed whether Hango eventually graduated but who cares; the man established himself in the construction industry and landed multi-million-dollar tenders, especially in road construction, through his hugely successful company Sindano Oshili Kandiwapa (SOK) Print Master and Construction.
It is no surprise that on 27 October 2021, the Oshakati Town Council handed over a construction site to SOK, worth N$8.2 million for the construction of bulk service infrastructure for Ompumbu Extensions 1 and 2 as well as Proper locations.
Hango also raked in millions of dollars after his company scored the tender to construct the 60 km road between Elim and Okani.

The fall

But amidst all this power, tenders and millions trickling into his bank account, Hango’s world came crashing down on one fateful day – 10 October 2014.
His female cousin – an orphan – sensationally accused him of rape and opened a case against him. Family meetings were held to speak the woman out of pursuing the matter further, and money was offered to her. The woman rejected an offer of N$10 000 to keep her mouth shut about the abuse by Hango, then aged 32.
She also rejected manipulations by rogue police officers at Oshakati who tried to talk her out of opening a case against her rapist cousin. In fact, it was reported at the time that the N$10 000 offer was made through a corrupt police officer.
The police’s reluctance to arrest Hango caused outrage at the time. Women’s Action for Development (WAD) executive director Salatiel Shinedima and Women’s Solidarity Executive Director Rosa Namises both publicly condemned the inaction of the Oshana police, at the time commanded by Commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa. Namises would later become one of the state witnesses in the matter.
The day after raping her, Hango sent the victim the following text message: “I know you are feeling bad but I am also regretting all my actions. Please, please if you can forgive me about this, I am sorry and I mean please. It would be bad news to me as you know I am planning to get married next year and if this case goes on it will affect the whole process.”
Indeed, Hango got married 2016, two years after his incestuous rape.
With pressure mounting on the police, Hango was arrested only 18 days later when he handed himself over to the police on 29 October 2014 – accompanied by his lawyer. He was granted bail of N$6 000.

Shocking acquittal

The case went on for three years and then controversial magistrate of the Oshakati Regional Court Leopoldt Hangalo acquitted Hango on account that he “was not convinced a rape was committed”.
“Having considered the evidence I have doubt that there was rape committed. I am obliged to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Hangalo said.
Hangalo’s ruling led to angry demonstrations, amid claims that he was bribed to let the Hango go scot-free. “Personally, I don’t know the accused. I don’t have contact with him. I knew him like any other accused in my court. Apart from the evidence that was presented in court, I do not know him. It is rubbish to say I was bribed,” Hangalo retorted at the time.
Hangalo swallowed hook, line and sinker Hango’s version during trial that the sex was consensual and there was no coercion. The victim consistently disputed this claim.
The acquittal shook the victim. Her mother died many years ago, leaving her and siblings in the care of their maternal grandmother, who herself later passed away in 2007.
With her family, the police and now the courts all isolating her – and Hango punching air in celebration of his controversial court victory – the victim’s ordeal intensified.
A shocked state prosecutor Nelao ya France, who would later describe Hango as a “social misfit who does not deserve to live with other human beings”, immediately appealed the acquittal in the High Court and the matter was back on the roll.

Verdict overruled

On 13 February 2021, the eve of Valentine’s Day, the High Court struck a dagger into Hango’s heart when it overruled Hangalo’s decision to acquit him and convicted the businessman of rape.
A shocked Hango, now represented by prominent lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, challenged his conviction in the country’s apex court, Supreme Court. That court sent him packing by agreeing with the High Court’s decision to convict him.
The High Court referred the matter back to Magistrate Hango for sentencing in the Oshakati Regional Court. There were fears Hangalo will issue a suspended sentence or a fine, but on Friday he surprised many when he slapped Hango with an effective 15-year jail term.