Complainant asked for more than N$700 000 says Hengari

By: Ludorf Iyambo

Former agriculture minister, Mac-Albert Hengari, has told the court that the complainant had initially demanded over N$700 000 in order to allegedly withdraw the rape charge laid against him.

Hengari testified on Monday during cross-examination by state prosecutor, Adrie Rickerts, that he met the complainant and her law student friend at Arebbusch Travel Lodge in Windhoek on 25 April.

Hengari said they presented a duplicate draft agreement indicating an amount of more than N$700 000, which the former minister was allegedly expected to sign to facilitate the withdrawal of the case.

“I agreed to meet her but made sure it was in a public place to avoid any further allegations. She left the hospital with police authorisation and came with her friend.

The gratification she was seeking was more than N$700 000. I told her that there would be no agreement between us, and I gave her my reasons. I was not going to accept any offer, nor was I going to give her any money,” Hengari said.

He added that they had a meal, which he paid for, costing about N$2 000. “After that, I went home, picked up my wife, and we went to the farm,” he said.

When Rickerts asked about the N$222 000 found in his possession at the time of his arrest, Hengari responded that it was not his first time carrying large amounts of money.

He explained that the funds were meant to pay his farm workers and assist a friend who had requested N$15 000 to prepare for a family funeral.

“This was not the first time I had such an amount, and I did not withdraw it all at once. I always have money on me, and it was meant for different purposes,” he said.