NDF engages experts to clear old explosives in Kavango East

NDF experts to clear old explosives in Kavango East

The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is working with explosive experts to clear suspected explosive ordnance near military zones in Kavango East after two boys were seriously injured in an explosion at Mavanze village on Sunday.

The unexploded ordnance is believed to have been left behind by the former South African Defence Force during Namibia’s liberation struggle.

Speaking after the accidental explosion, regional commander of the 261 Battalion of Kavango East and West, Mickhali Mbangu, said the military is bringing in specialists to assess and clear affected areas.

On Sunday, two boys, aged 13 and 14, sustained serious injuries after an explosive device allegedly detonated while they were playing with it near a military base at Mavanze village.

The boys suffered injuries to the stomach, legs, and arm and were rushed to the Rundu State Hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.

Mbangu said authorities had planned community sensitisation campaigns to warn residents of Sikanduko informal settlement and nearby villages about the dangers of handling suspicious objects near military areas.

“Very unfortunate [that] an accident happened before that,” he said.

Be aware

Mbangu revealed that hand grenades had been discovered within the vicinity of the military base just weeks before the weekend incident, which were removed and destroyed.

Meanwhile, investigations into the exact nature of the explosive device involved in last week’s incident are continuing. Military experts have been deployed to the scene to collect evidence and determine the type of ordnance involved.

Mbangu appealed to residents living near military zones not to touch unfamiliar objects, warning that unexploded devices may still be present and pose serious danger to communities.