Also known as: former Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform
Maria Hengari — former Namibia University of Science and Technology administrative employee charged with fraud and money laundering for allegedly receiving student payments without remitting them between 2021 and 2024.
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June 2026
Informanté
Maria Hengariwas granted bail ofN$10,000 in Windhoek Magistrate's Court
Source
“Maria Hengari, an administrative worker from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), accused of fraud, was granted bail of N$10 000.00 in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court, with conditions that she does not interfere with state witnesses or police investigations.”
Maria Hengariallegedly received payments from NUST students and used funds in a manner that causedN$2.6 million losses to the university
Source
“Hengari faces charges of fraud after she allegedly received payments from NUST students to pay off debts, but used these funds in a manner that resulted in the university suffering losses of N$2.6 million.”
Maria Hengariis accused ofdefrauding Nust by receiving N$2.64m from students and not paying it
Source
“Hengari is accused of defrauding Nust and its bursar during the period from 2021 to 2024 by receiving payments totalling about N$2.64 million from 130 students and not paying the money to the university.”
Maria Hengariallegedly clearedstudents' debts on the university's record system after receiving payments
Source
“It is also alleged that Hengari cleared students' debts they owed to Nust on the university's record system after money had been handed to her or paid into her bank account.”
Maria Hengariappeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on charges offraud
Source
“Maria Hengari (41) was arrested on suspicion of causing Nust to lose over N$2 million by clearing student debts under false pretences, as the funds reportedly never reached the institution.”
Maria Hengariwas charged withfraud and acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities
Source
“Hengari was charged with two counts including fraud and acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities in contravention of section 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.”
Mac-Albert Hengariallegedly was arrested on 26 April 2025 forattempting to offer a bribe of N$220,000
Source
“Hengari and his 30-year-old co-accused were arrested on 26 April 2025 after allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of N$220,000 to a 21-year-old woman who had accused Hengari of raping her in 2019, when she was still a minor.”
Maria HengarisaidNSFAF officials turned institution into cash cow with no sense of responsibility
Source
“"From the acting chief executive officer (CEO) to all those who have run down the institution, they have turned into a cash cow with no sense of responsibility whatsoever," she said.”
Maria Hengari, an administrative worker at Namibia University of Science and Technology, was accused of fraud after allegedly receiving student payments meant to pay off debts but using them in a manner that resulted in N$2.6 million in university losses between 2021 and 2024. She was granted bail of N$10,000 with conditions not to interfere with witnesses or investigations.
Why it matters
NUST admin worker charged with N$2.6 million fraud involving mishandled student payments over three years, released on bail pending trial.
Maria Hengari, an administrative worker at Namibia University of Science and Technology, was accused of fraud after allegedly receiving student payments meant to pay off debts but using them in a manner that resulted in N$2.6 million in university losses between 2021 and 2024. She was granted bail of N$10,000 with conditions not to interfere with witnesses or investigations.
Maria Hengari, a former Namibia University of Science and Technology employee, has been charged with fraud and money laundering after allegedly receiving more than N$2.6 million in student payments between 2021 and 2024 without remitting the funds to the university, and clearing students' debts on the system. She has been remanded in custody pending further investigations.
Dr Mac Albert Hengari, former Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, is claiming N$10 million in damages for what his lawyers describe as an unlawful arrest in April 2025 without a magistrate's warrant. His legal representatives argue there was no probable cause for his arrest and that the case lacks sufficient particulars for his defence, giving the State 30 days to settle before formal legal action is initiated.
Windhoek Magistrate Immanuel Undjambala has warned of a final postponement in the alleged bribery case involving former Minister Mac-Albert Hengari, ordering the State to provide an update on the Prosecutor General's decision on whether the matter will proceed to prosecution or be struck off the roll. The case was postponed to 10 March 2026.