Trucker's month-long ordeal continues

A Zambian driver has been stranded next to his overturned truck on the B8 road near Grootfontein for a month and six days, guarding the truck against looters.

Two weeks ago a second truck from Fashion Emporium Ltd was sent to pick up the timber he was transporting from the DRC to Walvis Bay.

His story has been shared on social media, where commentators praised his loyalty and dedication, and those who have met him commented on his calm and friendly demeanour despite his challenging situation.

Timothy Changwe (52) told Namibian Sun yesterday that the past five weeks were tough, not only for him but also for his family back home.

“My family, my wife, they are crying. My children are very disturbed,” he said.

The truck overturned on 17 February after the prop shaft broke when he hit a pothole.

Changwe was taken to hospital in Grootfontein, where he was examined and declared unharmed.

He then returned to the overturned truck, roughly 30 kilometres north of Grootfontein, fearing that it would be stripped of parts if he left it unguarded.

“I decided to stay, because somebody could come and take parts from the truck. So I would stay to protect it.”

He has been employed by Fashion Emporium LTD, a transport company based in Kitwe, Zambia, for more than a year and felt it was his duty to remain with the truck until the company could salvage it.

“I am looking after the property of the company. Some have told me I should leave, go and see my family. But I can't do that; I can't leave the truck unattended. It is my duty,” he said.



Husband & father

Changwe is the father of four children, the youngest one aged 10. He said his wife understands his decision to stay.

“She accepts it, because there is nothing she can do, and nothing I can do.”

For the first two weeks, Changwe slept on top of the truck's overturned container trailer for safety from wild animals, especially snakes. A few days ago he killed “a very big snake” that had come too close to his sleeping area for his liking.

When a colleague joined him at the site two weeks ago, he could start sleeping inside the second truck.



Difficult time

Nevertheless, the strain of the ordeal has begun to wear him down. During a second conversation with Namibian Sun yesterday, he sounded frustrated.

He said at times he felt he had been “abandoned in the bush” and that the company did not care about his situation. He said he had lost hope and could see no light at the end of the tunnel.

He said he had received some cash from his employer, around N$1 400 in total, since the accident, but access to fresh food and water was a problem.

He admitted that he was becoming tired of living on the roadside, in the bush, surrounded by mosquitoes and wild animals, and depending on a makeshift kitchen he had assembled in the overturned trailer.

“I am a human being. I am tired,” he said.

“I am suffering a lot.”

And yet, he is grateful for the help he has received from strangers passing the crash site.

“So many people are helping us here. I can't even count them. So many different things, like water, food and medicines.”



No light in the tunnel yet

He said he was worried because his passport was only valid until 30 March, and he hoped the latest attempt to send a crane to turn the truck upright would be more successful than previous attempts.

According to his employer, heavy rain and wet ground have made it impossible to start the salvage operation.

Nimit Desai of Fashion Emporium Ltd said in a telephonic conversation that he was impressed with Changwe's work ethic and even before the accident had considered him as one of his best employees.

Desai said the situation in Namibia was unfortunate, but weather conditions had prevented it from being resolved.

“He has not once complained,” Desai said of Changwe. He said the company appreciated his commitment and was working on finding a solution.

He said a crane was on its way to the site and Changwe might be going home soon.

JANA-MARI SMITH