Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari after he was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago.

Hengari, who was arrested on Saturday, is alleged to have tried to bribe the now 21-year-old woman to withdraw the case, according to police.

Hengari, who denies any wrongdoing, is expected to appear in court soon.

The arrest marks the first major political crisis for President Nandi-Ndaitwah, who took office just a month ago as Namibia’s first female head of state.

The presidency announced Hengari’s dismissal without providing reasons, but confirmed that he had also been removed from the National Assembly.

Hengari had been nominated to parliament by President Nandi-Ndaitwah to represent the ruling party, Swapo.

Police said Hengari is being investigated for multiple charges, including kidnapping, rape, and assault, related to the case.

The allegations have triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and fueled concerns about the government's stance on gender-based violence.

The opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) condemned the situation, stating Hengari’s arrest "on allegations of rape, kidnapping and forced abortion" was a "profound failure of leadership and exposes the hollowness of government rhetoric on gender-based violence".

The IPC said the case highlighted deep-rooted issues in a country where 4,814 cases of gender-based violence were reported last year.

Namibia has a population of three million people.

The IPC also questioned the president’s vetting process, pointing out that Hengari had been appointed "despite a criminal investigation having allegedly been opened in November 2024".

President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s cabinet, introduced last month, was celebrated for its strong female representation, with nine of the 14 cabinet members being women, including the vice-president.

The president, a long-standing member of the ruling Swapo party, won the November elections with 58% of the vote.

Swapo has been in power since Namibia gained independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.