Niel Terblanche
President Hage Geingob lamented the deaths of three members of the Namibian Defence Force who died as a result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on the main road between Omuthiya and Oshivelo, a day after the country celebrated its 33rd year of independence.
The President extended his condolences to the families of the three soldiers, who have since been identified as 42-year-old Paulus Nadhipite Nuuyoma who hailed from the Oneshoko Village in the Oshitayi area of the Oshana Region, 30-year-old Teopolina Aipanda who hails from the Ohamunyela Village in the area of Ombalantu in the Omusati Region, and 28-year-old Kapembona Tadeus who’s home town was Rundu.
The accident, according to Nampol happened at about 11:00 on Wednesday morning roughly ten kilometres outside Omuthiya.
The fatal accident occurred while the deceased soldiers, alongside six other members of the defence force were on their way back to Windhoek after the Independence Day celebrations at Outapi.
It is reported that the accident happened after the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and overturned. The rear tyre burst. The soldiers performed official duties at the Independence celebrations in Outapi the day before.
According to the official accident report provided by the Public Relations Division of the Namibian Police, the driver of the Toyota Land Cruiser pick-up with an NDF registration number was driving in a southerly direction.
“About ten kilometres outside Oshivelo, the driver allegedly lost control over the vehicle after the left rear tyre burst,” the report states.
According to the report, three of the soldiers died on the scene of the crash while the driver and five other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries. Two of the soldiers were unconscious when emergency services arrived on the scene.
All the injured soldiers were transported by ambulance to hospitals in Oshakati and Omuthiya for emergency medical treatment.
In his message of condolence, Geingob wished all the injured soldiers a speedy recovery
“Their service to the nation is highly valued, Geingob said in his message.
No funeral arrangements for the three deceased NDF members have been announced yet.
