The state has postponed for a second time a decision on whether to prosecute former Namibian agriculture minister Mac Hengari and his co-accused, setting the next hearing for 14h00 on Tuesday in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
The postponement, granted by the court, follows a request from the prosecution. The state informed the court that the decision on proceeding to trial has not yet been signed by the prosecutor general, a required step for such a determination. Last week, Magistrate Immanuel Udjombala had granted the state a final postponement until Tuesday to resolve the matter, with the prosecution then citing the recent death of Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda as a contributing factor to the delay.
Hengari, a former cabinet minister, and his co-accused—the brother of the woman who initially filed a rape complaint against Hengari—were arrested in April 2023. They face charges of corruptly giving gratification, incitement to commit an offence, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The allegations centre on an alleged attempt to bribe the original rape complainant.
Both men have denied wrongdoing. In August 2023, Magistrate Monica Andjaba granted each bail of N$15,000, subject to strict conditions. The case has seen multiple delays, drawing public attention and raising questions about the pace of the judicial process in a high-profile matter involving a former government official.
The upcoming Tuesday hearing is critical, as the prosecution is expected to present the signed directive from the prosecutor general, which will determine if the case proceeds to trial in the magistrate’s court or is escalated. The involvement of the prosecutor general underscores the case’s sensitivity and the need for a senior legal decision. For Media Talk Africa, this development highlights the ongoing procedural complexities in Namibia’s legal system and the sustained scrutiny on how the judiciary handles allegations against prominent figures. The next court date will clarify the immediate future of the prosecution.
