Former Minister of Agriculture Mac Albert Hengari told the Windhoek Magistrate's Court that Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo informed him that the police were under political, public, and media pressure to act on rape allegations brought against him.

Testifying during his bail application on Tuesday, Hengari said he had a telephone conversation with Shikongo, after which he went to meet with the police leadership, accompanied by his lawyer.

He said he provided a DNA sample at that meeting and was promised to be given the DNA results within a week but has not received them.

Hengari was called to the stand by his lawyer, Mekumbu Tjiteere, and told the court that he was arrested in April without being shown an arrest warrant or any documentation.

He described his arrest as the result of a trap.

Hengari told the court that his continued detention is affecting his businesses and that he is financially responsible for his son and other dependents.

He added that allegations against him started on social media and later spread to mainstream media after he was appointed minister.

Hengari also said the police informed him that the complainant in the case was being kept in a safe house but claimed she was present at the scene when he was arrested.

The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, the possibility of interference with witnesses, public interest concerns, and the impact on the administration of justice.

Hengari told the court he was advised to open a defamation case against activist Michael Amushelelo, who publicised the allegations of rape and forced abortion.