Staff Reporter
A SERIES of fatal and serious road incidents over the weekend has claimed lives across northern and central Namibia, with police investigations ongoing in the related cases.
According to the weekend crime report, on Saturday in Omuntele, around 18:45, a 26-year-old male driving a Toyota pickup with six passengers lost control of the vehicle on the main gravel road between Omuntele and Uukwiyuushona near Iigumbo village. The vehicle overturned, killing Shiindi Stephanus (42) on the spot. Immanuel Shambau (16) died on arrival at a local hospital, while Abraham Johannes (25) passed away on Sunday at Onandjokwe Hospital. All other passengers and the driver were injured. Next of kin have been informed.
In Otavi on Friday, at around 16:00, a 56-year-old man driving a grey Toyota Corolla Cross along the Otavi-Kombat main road, approximately 3km from Otavi, allegedly struck a 34-year-old cyclist, Mukava Kapaura. The cyclist died on the spot. Next of kin have been informed, and police investigations are ongoing.
In another incident on Friday at Okahandja, at about 16:40, a 30-year-old male driving a G4S cash-in-transit vehicle collided with a stationary truck on the A1 Okahandja-Windhoek road, 5km from Okahandja. His passenger, 34-year-old Enrico Gomeb, was declared dead on arrival at Okahandja State Hospital. The driver sustained minor injuries.
On Saturday, around 20:50 in Oshakati, Iipumbu Willbald (40) died after his black Polo, travelling from Oshikuku towards Oshakati, was struck on the driver’s side by a blue Honda Fit at Ompumbu Bridge. The Polo subsequently collided with a white Toyota Vitz. Next of kin have been informed.
A case of reckless and Negligent driving was reported in Tsumeb on Friday at 17:00. A 17-year-old male drove a white Nissan Hardbody pickup with two passengers on the loading box in Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana Street. The passengers fell off along with a bed base, sustaining serious injuries. One passenger was later transferred to Onandjokwe Hospital in critical condition.
Another incident on Friday in Outapi at 19:15 was reported when a Volkswagen Polo travelling from Tsandi to Outapi collided with a white Toyota Wish at Onelao location, causing injuries to passengers. The Polo driver fled the scene. The suspect is known but not yet arrested.
In Okatope at around 22:25 on Saturday, two silver seven-seater vehicles collided head-on on the B1 between Omuthiya and Ondangwa near Onankali. One driver escaped unhurt; the other sustained minor leg injuries and was discharged from Okatope Clinic the same day.
At about 05:00 on Sunday in Grootfontein, a 44-year-old man driving a blue Toyota Wish from Rundu to Grootfontein collided with the trailer of a white Toyota Land Cruiser travelling in the opposite direction. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Grootfontein State Hospital.
Following an argument, a 32-year-old male was allegedly struck by a vehicle in Otjomuise on Saturday in Mersin Street. He sustained fractures to both legs. No arrest has been made, and investigations continue.
A 53-year-old male was arrested on Saturday, about 18:00 at Castle Bar parking area for driving under the influence of alcohol at Opuwo.
