The long journey to Impalila Island

RUNDU







KENYA KAMBOWE

On the morning of 15 November, I embarked on a 525-kilometre journey from Rundu to Katima Mulilo.

The purpose of my trip was to report on the funeral of three of four slain fishermen - Tommy, Martin and Wamunyima Nchindo, who were gunned down by the Botswana Defence Force on 5 November.

They were buried alongside their mother, Alphonsina Mubu, who died five days after their shooting.

My mission was also to report on the build-up to the funeral scheduled for 17 November, as the nation - particularly the Zambezi community - was disappointed with how government had been handling the matter.

I arrived in Katima Mulilo that Sunday afternoon and undertook a drive around town to engage the locals.

It was then that I learnt that if I want to make it to Impalila Island on time on Monday afternoon for the memorial service, I would have to drive early because the road is bad.

Long road to Impalila

I left Katima Mulilo around 12:00 and was still under the impression that I would arrive in about two hours.

Along the way, I had to ask for directions and a passer-by came to my rescue – I was told to turn left, and that Kasika was the second village from where we were.

What they didn’t tell me is that the road was going to be very long and bumpy.

What made things worse is that I did not know the area and with the many feeder roads on that long floodplain, I had to rely on one of the mourners who came from behind.

I will never forget that car’s number plate because I followed closely for about an hour and a half.

Whenever I saw a village set-up, I thought it was our destination, but the car ahead of me just went on and on.

Finally, at around 16:00, we arrived at Kasika.

The next leg

I was then informed that I would have to abandon my car - the only way to Impalila Island is by boat.

With small boats awaiting the mourners, I took my bag, blanket, camera, laptop and camping chair and boarded.

Our cruise of the Chobe River lasted about 15 minutes, and then we landed at what is known the Impalila harbour.

When we arrived, more than 50 mourners were awaiting transport as there were only a few cars on the island.

With the memorial service already having started, a Namibian Defence Force car came to collect people and I was fortunate to board it to Kamabozu village.

Luckily, there were some delays at the memorial and I didn’t miss out on a lot of what was happening.

I quickly had to look for a room to store my belongings and rush to the tent where the mourners had gathered. Dignitaries such as vice president Nangolo Mbumba, police minister Frans Kapofi, Cabinet secretary George Simaata, Zambezi governor Lawrence Samupofu and various regional leaders were also in attendance.

It was there where family members listened to testimonies and a message from President Hage Geingob, read on his behalf by Mbumba.

Although the mourners were hurt, the atmosphere was not very tense, with most attendees holding back their tears.

The proceedings

The memorial service concluded around 19:00 and it was now time to seek for a place to rest that Monday night.

Along with my counterpart from The Namibian, Lugeretzia Kooper, we were accommodated at a nearby house.

Early the next morning, we were picked up and went to the homestead to cover the burial.

When we arrived at the house around 08:00, there was not much happening as the caskets were not on the island yet.

About 30 minutes later, we got news that the bodies were arriving at the harbour.

First the body of the mother arrived and about an hour later, that of the three slain brothers.

Afterwards, we joined a convoy of cars heading to the homestead and waited for the service to start.

The caskets were moved from the cars and placed in the tent, and shortly after, close family members arrived and the proceedings commenced.

Autopsy results shock mourners

Two family members who repatriated the bodies from Bostwana gave their testimonies, which saw the mourners burst into tears while Mbumba and his delegation looked on.

What sent shockwaves across the entire crowd was the description of the autopsies done on the bodies.

An uncle who was privy to such information said Martin had five bullet wounds while the other three were each shot twice.

The pastor gave a brief reading, which saw the sermon conclude.

An announcement was then made regarding the actual burial and the mourners moved to the cemetery, less than 100 metres away from the homestead.

After observing the family in mourning and laying their loved ones to rest, I then had to submit my story and pictures to head office.

Heading back

It was then time to head back to Kasika and drive to Katima Mulilo.

It was a sickening thought because all that was playing in my head is the long journey back.

We only managed to get to the harbour around 16:00 and arrived at Kasika at about 17:00.

The boat cruise this time around was a lot less fun as people on the boat spotted crocodiles in the river.

Eventually, we reached Kasika and I found the car in perfect condition.

This time around I was not afraid of getting lost as many cars were returning to Katima Mulilo.

But another problem loomed – it had been raining the previous night and the bumpy road was now also very muddy.

I managed to manoeuvre the car along the tough roads and I will never forget how relieved I was when I arrived at Nakabolelwa.

I reach Katima Mulilo around 20:30, and the next day, I made it back to Rundu.

Reunited with my family, I told them all about my once-in-a-lifetime journey to Impalilia Island.