Councillor dies in horrific accident

A night of celebrating a political victory ended in tragedy after Caprivi businessman and Swapo Councilor for the Sibbinda Constituency, Felix Mukupi, died in a horrific car accident on Saturday - just after he was elected as a mobiliser for a district in the Caprivi Region.

An unidentified young boy also died on the spot in the accident at Kalumba village, while four other occupants of the vehicle sustained serious injuries.

Mukupi allegedly lost control of his single cab Toyota bakkie, which reportedly swerved and overturned several times after he had failed to maneuver through a sharp curve at the junction of the Linyati Highway.

The accident turned fatal after the vehicle reportedly rammed into a tree and nearly come to a standstill.

Mukupi and his passengers were returning to Katima Mulilo from a district rally held at Masokotwani Village, where he had been elected as a SWAPO mobiliser.

Sources that attended the rally and others that were at the accident scene allege that Mukupi was seen drinking alcohol prior to the accident.

He allegedly celebrated his district electoral victory by having more drinks with his supporters who voted him to the position of mobiliser, eyewitnesses say.

“He was under the influence of liquor even when he came to attend the rally. We did not see it as an issue when he sped off after the end of the event,” a source said.

“He was in jovial mood celebrating his victory, which has now cost his life and that of a child.”
Police Deputy Commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu declined to comment on the allegations of intoxication, saying that an autopsy will be conducted to substantiate or dismiss the claims.

“I cannot confirm nor deny the allegations leveled at the scene,” Kanyetu said.

“We are now busy investigating the cause of the accident, and whatever the findings, the details will then be made available. We are yet to identify the child passenger who died in the same vehicle as Mukupi.”

The surviving occupants were rushed off to a referral hospital where they are said to be stabilised but in a critical condition, said Kanyetu.

Mukupi, who romped to easy victory during the 2010 regional and local authority elections, was a well-known business personality who owned a number or enterprises, including the security firm Njangula Securities.

He had also ventured into an estate business, cash loans and many entertainments outlets in Caprivi.

Also known as ‘The General’ because of his flamboyant lifestyle, Mukupi was known for throwing lavish parties for his entourage of political supporters, while he also used his money to feed the destitute on past occasions.