Budget delayed identification of crash victims

STAFF REPORTERThe police have apologised for the long delay in identifying the 16 victims of a bus crash between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja on 10 December.Most of the victims were burned beyond recognition and had to be identified by DNA analysis.Fifteen of the victims had been travelling in a Quantum bus, while the driver of a sedan involved in the collision also died.Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi explained that DNA analysis is a costly process and while the government provides some funding for the purchase of DNA kits, operations are affected by budgetary constraints.“Due to the insufficient budget being allocated for DNA, a backlog to the tune of over 4 000 cases was accumulated. These cases include murders and rapes, of which a large majority is in court or under investigation,” Shikwambi said.“Unfortunately, due to legal implications, death certificates cannot be issued for individuals who have not yet been identified and due to the circumstances of the accident, DNA is the only accurate method for making such an identification.”The police apologised to the affected families.Shikwambi assured the families that the police “are not giving up or stopping the process, but rather persist to have the DNA analysis finalised”.The deceased’s names were announced at a memorial service held on 28 December at Onakaheke village in the Omusati region.They are two-week-old David Shalipo, Johannes Amakali (37), sisters Josephine Shapaka (45) and Hilya Shapaka (42), Eliakim Amakali (70), Immanuel Shetunyenga (55), Ignatius Mungolo (47) and Leonard Ndeliimona (40), Phillipus Nangolo (13), Andreas Nekwaya (31), David Kadhila (30), cousins Jonathan Shishomba (9) and Abisai Shetunyenga (8) and sisters Sylvia Taanyanda (4) and Bertha Taanyanda (11).

Budget delayed identification of crash victims

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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Budget delayed identification of crash victims

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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