Niël Terblanché
A tragedy occurred in the informal residential area of Tulinawa in Swakopmund on Sunday when a 23-year-old man from the coastal town, operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, struck two pedestrians and crashed into a workshop next to the street.
The accident resulted in the death of 51-year-old Jeptha Kandhingwa, who succumbed to his injuries at Swakopmund State Hospital shortly after arriving.
Another victim, 27-year-old Johannes Shangambe, sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition at the same hospital.
According to a report from the Namibian Police’s Public Relations Division, the young driver had been entrusted with delivering a vehicle to his employer after it underwent repair work.
Tragedy struck when the inexperienced driver attempted to overtake another vehicle, losing control of the Mercedes Benz in the process.
The vehicle struck the two pedestrians on the road before careening off the road and crashing into the building housing the aluminium workshop.
The unlicensed driver now faces serious charges, including culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, and operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.
Meanwhile, the owner of the vehicle who authorized the unlicensed individual to operate it also finds himself in legal trouble. He has been charged with allowing an unlicensed person to operate a motor vehicle.
