Allexer Namundjembo
A heavily pregnant woman, her unborn baby, and her sister were among 16 people who perished in the deadly head-on collision near Mariental on Saturday morning.
The accident also claimed the lives of 12 correctional officers, two police officers, and two civilians.
The collision occurred just after 07h00 on the B1 road, about seven kilometres north of Mariental. Four police officers had rushed to Withuis location to assist Diana Jagger, who had gone into labour and had no transport to hospital.
They picked up Jagger along with her sister Roseltha Higoam but never reached their destination.
Inspector general of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo, said the tragedy extends beyond the 16 confirmed deaths.
“The baby was fully developed, literally. We lost 17 lives in this tragedy if we include the unborn baby,” he said.
However, according to Jagger’s family members she was eight months pregnant with twins.
Shikongo confirmed that 14 people died instantly, while two officers later succumbed to their injuries.
“One died in an ambulance on the way to Windhoek and another in the operating theatre. The situation is heartbreaking. Even those still in hospital are not completely out of danger. They are receiving treatment, but we continue to pray for them,” Shikongo said.
The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, expressed shock that correctional officers were transported in a van reserved for inmates when a Quantum bus meant for their use was available. She said investigators are probing the matter.
She assured the public that postmortems would be completed by Tuesday to speed up the return of remains for burial.
The ministry is also fast-tracking the issuing of death certificates and burial removal documents.
The those who died in the Mariental accident include senior chief correctional officer David Mawis Musambani, chief correctional officers Naemi Ndapewashali Shipena and Silvanus Kuutondokwa Hofeni, as well as senior correctional officers Simon Ndumba Sinyemba, Alina Ndategako Simeon, Petrus Muataua Mbuale, and Noa Mandume Hameho.
Also among the deceased are correctional officers Tomas Negumbo Shikongo, Adreheid Taapopi, Johannes Mbeeli, Katjitombua Muheue, and Jason Jackson Jatileni Amadhila.
The list is completed by sergeant Mercia Louw, Constable Gerson Hepute. Iipumbu confirmed that wellness officers have been dispatched to provide psycho-social support to survivors, grieving families, and colleagues.
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund pledged support for all victims.
MVA Fund chief executive officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said the fund will provide compensation for spouses and children of the deceased, as well as income support for the four hospitalised survivors.
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement leader Job Amupanda expressed sorrow over the deaths of uniformed personnel and called for urgent reforms.
“We need safer transportation arrangements for officers. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those in service,” he said.
Hardap governor Riaan van Zyl also conveyed condolences and said measures are in place to assist affected families.
An official memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 11h00 at the Mariental Sports Fields, where the community will gather to honour those who died in the line of duty.
In the aftermath, the government was blamed for the accident and accused of negligence.
