Three dead in weekend road crash
Weekend leaves trail of tragedy
The police have issued an urgent appeal to citizens to resolve disputes peacefully and avoid reckless or drunken behaviour that often ends in fatalities.
Three people lost their lives in a horrific road accident near Omuntele on Saturday evening, while several others were seriously injured in what police described as one of the weekend’s “most tragic incidents”.
According to Namibian Police Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the crash occurred at around 18:45 on the main gravel road between Omuntele and Uukwiyuushona near Iigumbo village. A 26-year-old man allegedly drove a Toyota bakkie with six passengers on board when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
“Three passengers, Shiindi Stephanus (42), Immanuel Shambau (16) and Abraham Johannes (25), succumbed to their injuries,” said Shikwambi. “Stephanus died on the spot. Shambau was declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital, while Johannes passed away on Sunday morning at around 05:30 at Onandjokwe Hospital.”
The driver and three other passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. “All next of kin have been informed, and police investigations continue,” Shikwambi added. Police said the preliminary investigation suggests the driver was unlicensed at the time of the accident.
The Omuntele tragedy was among several serious incidents recorded between 31 October and 2 November, including cases of murder, rape, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
‘Despicable acts’
In Eenhana, police arrested a 33-year-old man accused of raping a 16-year-old girl living with a disability after allegedly dragging her into nearby bushes. “Such acts are despicable and remain a major concern for law enforcement,” Shikwambi noted.
A separate rape case was also recorded in Okahao, where a 23-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl near Uutsathima Combined School.
In Oshakati, 38-year-old Ndinomuwa Helena Ester was stabbed to death on Friday evening at the Oshoopala location. The suspect, a 36-year-old Angolan man, allegedly attacked her with a knife and further assaulted her with a cooking stick. Ester died on the scene, police said.
“The suspect has been arrested and police investigations continue,” said Shikwambi, who described the act as “a senseless killing that left the community in shock.”
At Okahandja, a 23-year-old man identified as Pernadino Cloete died after allegedly being stabbed in the chest by his 17-year-old girlfriend during an altercation over money, police said. “The suspect handed herself over to the police shortly after the incident,” Shikwambi confirmed.
Meanwhile, at Rundu’s Kehemu location, a 23-year-old man, Mbereshu Muremi Paulus, was killed in a fight outside a bar in the early hours of Saturday morning. The altercation reportedly started after a man joined a group drinking beer without permission, escalating into violence. “The suspect is receiving treatment under police guard,” Shikwambi said.
Drug offences and road recklessness
The police also made multiple arrests for drug-related offences across the country. In Wanaheda, two men aged 22 and 41 were arrested at the Windhoek–Okahandja checkpoint after officers discovered 1.9 kilograms of cannabis, reportedly valued at over N$96 000, concealed in sugar and vetkoek flour bags.
At Keetmanshoop, another two suspects were caught transporting 411 grams of cannabis, estimated to be worth N$20 550, along the Vaalgras–Koes road, while additional arrests for possession were made in Oranjemund, Schlip, Khorixas and Opuwo.
Police further reported several reckless driving and culpable homicide cases, including a fatal collision involving a G4S cash-in-transit vehicle near Okahandja, which claimed the life of passenger Enrico Gomeb (34).
‘Public urged to exercise restraint’
Shikwambi urged members of the public to act responsibly, especially during weekends, when alcohol-fuelled violence and road fatalities tend to spike.
“We continue to witness unnecessary loss of life due to reckless behaviour, drunken driving and interpersonal violence,” she said. “The Namibian Police strongly appeals to all citizens to resolve disputes amicably and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.”
She further emphasised that investigations into all reported cases remain ongoing and arrests are expected in several unresolved matters.
According to Namibian Police Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the crash occurred at around 18:45 on the main gravel road between Omuntele and Uukwiyuushona near Iigumbo village. A 26-year-old man allegedly drove a Toyota bakkie with six passengers on board when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
“Three passengers, Shiindi Stephanus (42), Immanuel Shambau (16) and Abraham Johannes (25), succumbed to their injuries,” said Shikwambi. “Stephanus died on the spot. Shambau was declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital, while Johannes passed away on Sunday morning at around 05:30 at Onandjokwe Hospital.”
The driver and three other passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. “All next of kin have been informed, and police investigations continue,” Shikwambi added. Police said the preliminary investigation suggests the driver was unlicensed at the time of the accident.
The Omuntele tragedy was among several serious incidents recorded between 31 October and 2 November, including cases of murder, rape, attempted murder and drug trafficking.
‘Despicable acts’
In Eenhana, police arrested a 33-year-old man accused of raping a 16-year-old girl living with a disability after allegedly dragging her into nearby bushes. “Such acts are despicable and remain a major concern for law enforcement,” Shikwambi noted.
A separate rape case was also recorded in Okahao, where a 23-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl near Uutsathima Combined School.
In Oshakati, 38-year-old Ndinomuwa Helena Ester was stabbed to death on Friday evening at the Oshoopala location. The suspect, a 36-year-old Angolan man, allegedly attacked her with a knife and further assaulted her with a cooking stick. Ester died on the scene, police said.
“The suspect has been arrested and police investigations continue,” said Shikwambi, who described the act as “a senseless killing that left the community in shock.”
At Okahandja, a 23-year-old man identified as Pernadino Cloete died after allegedly being stabbed in the chest by his 17-year-old girlfriend during an altercation over money, police said. “The suspect handed herself over to the police shortly after the incident,” Shikwambi confirmed.
Meanwhile, at Rundu’s Kehemu location, a 23-year-old man, Mbereshu Muremi Paulus, was killed in a fight outside a bar in the early hours of Saturday morning. The altercation reportedly started after a man joined a group drinking beer without permission, escalating into violence. “The suspect is receiving treatment under police guard,” Shikwambi said.
Drug offences and road recklessness
The police also made multiple arrests for drug-related offences across the country. In Wanaheda, two men aged 22 and 41 were arrested at the Windhoek–Okahandja checkpoint after officers discovered 1.9 kilograms of cannabis, reportedly valued at over N$96 000, concealed in sugar and vetkoek flour bags.
At Keetmanshoop, another two suspects were caught transporting 411 grams of cannabis, estimated to be worth N$20 550, along the Vaalgras–Koes road, while additional arrests for possession were made in Oranjemund, Schlip, Khorixas and Opuwo.
Police further reported several reckless driving and culpable homicide cases, including a fatal collision involving a G4S cash-in-transit vehicle near Okahandja, which claimed the life of passenger Enrico Gomeb (34).
‘Public urged to exercise restraint’
Shikwambi urged members of the public to act responsibly, especially during weekends, when alcohol-fuelled violence and road fatalities tend to spike.
“We continue to witness unnecessary loss of life due to reckless behaviour, drunken driving and interpersonal violence,” she said. “The Namibian Police strongly appeals to all citizens to resolve disputes amicably and to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.”
She further emphasised that investigations into all reported cases remain ongoing and arrests are expected in several unresolved matters.
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