Accidents, murders mar Christmas

The Christmas period was blighted by a spate of crimes ranging from murder, drowning to fatal car accidents.Chief Inspector Erastus Ikuyu of the Erongo police said they are investigating three murders reported just before Christmas Day.Aletha Swartbooi, 27, died after she was stabbed once in the chest with a sharp object in Omaruru at approximately 23:00 on 23 December. “We arrested a suspect. He handed himself over at the Okahandja police station and will appear in Omaruru Magistrate's Court. The deceased and her boyfriend, Rodney Seibeb, had travelled to Omaruru from Okahandja for Christmas and were staying at a family residence in Ozondje. While enjoying themselves with family members, an argument erupted between the victim and the suspect allegedly stabbed her,” said Ikuyu. The body of Prince Gowaseb, 18, was discovered in a pool of blood on 22 December at around 03:30 by passers-by, near the Arandis post office. A suspect, 36, has been arrested.It is alleged that the suspect and Gowaseb had visited a number of bars and were seen drinking together the last time Gowaseb was seen alive. They apparently departed to the residence of the suspect, which is not far from the post office where the stabbing took place and where the body was discovered. “The deceased was a learner at Kolin Foundation Secondary School. He was stabbed four times. It is not yet clear what caused the suspect to stab the deceased. The next of kin of the deceased person are informed and the investigation continues.” Brendon Keramin, 27, was shot and killed at on 20 December at house no 2947 in Tulinawa, Mondesa at about 16:20.Keramin was visiting his cousin and watching television when his cousin's roommate David Oubaas Goa-Eiseb, 30, arrived. Goa-Eiseb, who works as a security guard was on duty and arrived home accompanied by a colleague in his service vehicle. “Goa-Eiseb allegedly entered their room holding a service revolver in his hand and shortly thereafter the gun went off. Keramin was hit below the right armpit and died at the scene. He was disarmed by his colleague and arrested shortly thereafter. It is not yet clear why the suspect shot the victim as the two never argued.” Goa-Eiseb appeared in the Swakopmund court on 22 December and the investigation continues. Fatal accidents Meanwhile, four people died in two separate road accidents outside Okahandja on Friday evening.Inspector Athanasius Mogotsi said three people died in an accident between Okahandja and Karibib on Friday after a truck and their sedan collided head-on.“This accident occurred some 20 kilometres west of Okahandja at approximately 20:15.”Mogosti said the truck was travelling from the direction of Karibib and towards Okahandja, while the sedan headed the opposite direction.He said the sedan had four occupants including its 37-year-old driver.Two passengers from the sedan (ages unknown) and the driver died on the spot. The fourth occupant, a 25-year-old male passenger in the sedan sustained injuries, while the 59-year-old truck driver survived the accident.The two injured persons were taken to the Katutura hospital where they received medical attention.In a separate road accident on Okahandja-Erindi gravel road on Friday evening, a Nissan NP200 overturned after its 47-year-old driver, Richard Ngaringombe, allegedly lost control over it.Three other passengers sustained injuries in the accident that occurred around 20:00.“They were taken to the Okahandja State Hospital the same evening,” said Mogosti. Two drownTwo drowning incidents also took place at the weekend, with one reported in Rehoboth and another at the coast. The police confirmed the death of Doree Ueriuka Semba, 18, who drowned at Baber Beach near Mile 4 on Christmas Day. “Semba died at approximately 16:15 when she tried to rescue Hillary Keingos, 16, who went for a swim. The deceased rushed to assist Keingos who was caught by a big wave, pulled into the ocean and started struggling to reach the shore. She also started having trouble while battling against the rough sea. A male relative entered the water and managed to save Keingos while Semba was swept deeper into the ocean and she eventually drowned,” said Ikuyu. Keingos was rushed to a private hospital in Swakopmund and is in a stable condition.At Rehoboth, a six-year-old Lizandro Beukes drowned while trying to rescue his friend who allegedly fell into the water pond at Reho Spa in Rehoboth on Saturday afternoon. According to Warrant Officer Lydia Hochtritt, it is alleged that the deceased and a friend were at Reho Spa where they were checking for small fish in the water. The friend fell into the pond and the deceased attempted to rescue him, but unfortunately slipped and drowned. The friend, whose age was not known, survived the incident. -Additional reporting by Nampa OTIS FINCK

Accidents, murders mar Christmas

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-26

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Accidents, murders mar Christmas

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-26

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