Black weekend on roads

In one of the darkest weekends on Namibian roads, at least 14 people died in numerous car accidents across the country.
The 14 included three male teachers from M&K Gertze Secondary School in Rehoboth who died in a terrible crash on the Kalkrand-Rehoboth road on Saturday morning.
The teachers were identified as Johannes Swartbooi, Josef Swarts and Detlief van Wyk who died when the vehicle they were travelling in collided head-on with another vehicle.
Both vehicles caught fire upon impact and all three occupants in each vehicle died on the spot.
Hendrik George Strauss and Marius Isaaks were the other occupants who perished in the accident.
A third deceased was not yet identified at the time of going to press yesterday. In another accident, three people burnt to death about 7km south of Otjiwarongo when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a courier truck before bursting into flames.
According to police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi the accident happened when one of the vehicles tried to overtake another vehicle. The injured passengers were taken to the Otjiwarongo State Hospital while the names of the deceased are not yet released.


In a separate incident, a 41-year-old man identified as Alfred Gaseb died on the spot when the vehicle he was driving overturned after he allegedly lost control at the weekend.
Three of Gaseb’s family members sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Uis Clinic for medical treatment.

Struggle kid killed
Meanwhile, one of the struggle kids that are currently camping at Brakwater was hit by a white Jetta on Friday evening while crossing the road. The 31-year-old Thomas Kondjeni died on the spot.
The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old man, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide.
He was reportedly also not driving with a valid driver’s licence.
In a separate incident, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly hit by a red Volkswagen Polo vehicle when she running to her mother on the opposite side of the road. The girl who was identified as Etuhole Asser died on the spot.
According to the police, the driver, a 32-year-old man fled the scene but later reported himself at the Wanaheda Police Station.
A 24-year-old Markus Mark also died instantly after he was hit by a vehicle on near Noordoewer border post.
His next of kin has been informed and police is requested anyone with more information to contact the Noordoewer police station.
At Ondangwa, a one-year-old toddler, identified as Amukwaya London Loose, died after a motorist reversed his car over him.
The toddler was reportedly lying under the vehicle.
No arrest has been made and police investigations continue.


JEMIMA BEUKES