Police swoop down on drunk drivers

Nearly 30 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in the Omaheke Region over the festive season.

The police's Chief Inspector David Ndove said the 29 culprits were all found guilty of drunk driving and fined between N$1 500 and N$2 000.

All the arrests were carried out in Gobabis between 22 December and 4 January.

Ndove said with regards to law enforcement in general in the region over the same period, only a few minor incidents were reported and the appropriate safety and policing measures put in place. He further called on all motorists to abide by the rules of the road and to be vigilant when heading home after the holidays.

On Saturday, emergency services rushed to the scene of a fatal accident on the Hosea Kutako International Road after the driver of a sedan vehicle reportedly lost control and skidded into the side of a truck.

The sole occupant of the sedan, the man's car was spun around and he was flung out of the vehicle.

It is suspected that the driver was catapulted from his car because he was not wearing a seat belt.

While details remain scarce, five people were reportedly rushed to hospital early on Sunday morning after a two car crash took place approximately 30 km outside of Windhoek on the Rehoboth road. Emergency services were at the scene and it was reported that the jaws of life were used to cut one of the injured from a severely damaged vehicle.



Nurse dies in accident on Tsumkwe road

Nampa on Saturday reported that a 65-year-old retired nurse died instantly after a pickup vehicle she was travelling in overturned on the Tsumkwe gravel road on Friday morning.

The deceased, who has been working at the Mangetti Dune Health Centre, has been identified as Lena Kharases. Police spokesperson in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha told Nampa on Saturday that Kharases was a passenger in the vehicle.

According to Mbeha, there were 12 occupants in the vehicle, including the 38-year-old female driver. At about 90 kilometres east of Grootfontein, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it overturned on the C44 gravel road.

“The retired nurse died instantly,” said Mbeha. Seven other occupants, who sustained serious injuries, were taken to the Grootfontein State Hospital shortly after the accident, while four escaped with minor injuries.

Police investigations continue.

The West Coast Safety Initiative (WCSI) reported that a driver lost control of the pick-up he was driving on the C38 route towards Etosha on Saturday, overturning the vehicle.

The car caught fire, but none of the passengers, all reportedly tourists, sustained any serious injuries.

On Thursday, a five-vehicle car pileup was reported in Walvis Bay. The causes of the accident have not been reported.

Nampa further reported that a 10-year-old girl died instantly on Wednesday when the vehicle she was travelling in overturned on the Kalkfeld-Omaruru road.

The sports utility vehicle in which the girl had been an occupant, was occupied by seven people at the time of the accident, aged between 12 months and 56 years, including its driver.

Three adults and three children survived the accident with serious to light injuries and were taken to the Omaruru State Hospital for further medical attention.

Nampa reported that it is alleged the left rear tyre burst and the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.

The Namibian police is expected to give a full report of all crimes and crashes during the festive season on 22 January.

– Additional reporting by Nampa

JANA-MARI SMITH