Renthia Kaimbi
A road accident between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday has claimed eleven lives, including two nurses and a driver employed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, but sources have disputed the ministry’s claim that the other victims were patients, saying they were hitchhikers.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said the two nurses and driver were transporting eight patients from Khorixas District Hospital to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for follow-up care in a fourteen-seater minibus.
The vehicle reportedly swerved to avoid a kudu and crashed into a truck.
“As a result of this horrific accident, eleven lives were lost. The ministry extends its condolences to the families, friends and colleagues,” the statement read.
However, sources close to the investigation told the Windhoek Observer that only the two nurses and the driver were ministry staff. They said the other people on board were hitchhikers picked up along the route.
According to the sources, this has made identification difficult because there are no medical records for those individuals.
“Family members of the hitchhikers may not even be aware that their loved ones were on the vehicle,” a source said.
Sources also allege that standard procedures were not followed during the trip.
Guidelines for patient transfers state that only one nurse is required, but two nurses were on board.
It is also alleged that the driver, although authorised to drive government vehicles, was assigned to the mortuary and not to patient transport.
Other sources said the trip started at 04:00, which is unusual for routine patient transfers. The reason for the early departure is not clear.
It has also not been confirmed whether proper trip approval was obtained.
Calls to Kunene regional health director Tomas Shapumba were not answered at the time of publication.
Otjozondjupa regional commander Phillip Hidengwa said police have not yet released the names of the deceased because identification by family members is still ongoing.
The ministry urged the public not to share unverified information on social media.
“The honourable minister, executive director, and the entire management and staff of the ministry extend its most sincere sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the entire Khorixas District Hospital and the Kunene region,” the statement said.
Police have not commented on the alleged protocol breaches or the claims about hitchhikers. Investigations into the crash are ongoing.
According to information from the office of the senior medical officer at Khorixas, the ministry staff who died were driver Metusalem Kamendu (54), registered nurse Rebekka Kasheeta (34) and enrolled nurse Martha Hangolonde (29).
The other victims were civilians. Only three were reported to be patients. The rest were not under ministry care and their presence on the vehicle remains unclear.
The civilian victims, aged between nine and 45, were identified as Ritha Jod (18), Lazarus Hamutenya (9), Nicoline Eises (34), Elsario Nanuseb (11), Geraldo Haraeb (13), Victoria Kanoutje (45), Teyana Zaongara (13) and Mervin Zaongara (17).
The Roads Authority said it is concerned about the increase in road crashes during the long weekend. A total of 21 people were killed in road accidents across the country during the weekend.
Roads Authority chief executive officer Mbahupu Tjivikua said the agency is deeply concerned.
“The Roads Authority wishes to express its profound sadness and deep concern over the alarming number of road traffic crashes that have been recorded since the commencement of the current long weekend,” he said.
“These tragic crashes have claimed multiple lives and left numerous families shattered, communities in grief, and a nation in mourning,” he said.
“Each life lost on our roads is one too many, and the RA feels the weight of every fatality and injury with great sorrow,” he said.
He urged drivers to act responsibly.
“This long weekend must not be further marred by preventable crashes. We appeal to every Namibian to make a conscious decision to drive responsibly and refrain from inconsiderate and negligent driving,” he said.
“We specifically appeal to all drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations in terms of the law and avoid overtaking at blind spots, refrain from overspeeding and never drive under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.”
Motor Vehicle Accident Fund chief executive officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku also expressed concern.
“Over the past two days, alone, the fund has lost 19 precious lives. These are economically active people. It is a cause for concern,” she said.
She urged drivers to be cautious due to increased traffic.
“We have noted congestion on the road as people make their way towards various destinations for the long weekend, particularly on the B1 northwards of the country and southwards of the country, as well as the B2 leading to the Erongo region,” she said.
“We therefore urge drivers to exercise extreme caution in adherence to the road traffic rules and regulations,” she said.
“Drivers should by all means plan their journey and ensure the road worthiness of their vehicles before getting on the road,” she said.
“When you don’t leave on time, you tend to overspeed. You tend to overtake at blind spots. We should desist from doing that,” she said.
“Avoid driving at night. Visibility is limited during that time. Also avoid distractions such as using mobile and other electronic devices while driving,” she said.
“Alcohol is still a problem. There are drivers who go out the previous night before they travel and think that they are sober enough to undertake a trip the next morning. The alcohol would still be in your body, so avoid drinking,” she said.
“If you go out to drink, make sure that you have a sober driver that’s travelling with you,” she said.
“In the event of a road crash, please call the MVA Fund accident response number 9682,” she said.
“When you call this number, you alert our call centre to dispatch the necessary emergency services to the accident scene where we are able to stabilise the injured persons and we are able to treat them in the shortest possible time,” she said.
