Niël Terblanché
A cloud of sadness and disbelief descended upon Swakopmund Secondary School on Wednesday when a 15-year-old Namibian male student, Benjamin Sheelongo, tragically passed away while still in class.
The unexpected incident has left both the school and the community grappling for answers.
The heart-wrenching event occurred around 09:11 in the morning while Benjamin was attending his Grade 9 class.
According to Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the head of the Community Affairs division of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region, classmates of Sheelongo reported that he suddenly collapsed.
Swift action was taken and an ambulance from EMED Rescue Services was immediately summoned to the scene.
According to Shapumba, paramedics upon their arrival, assessed the situation but, to everyone’s shock, Sheelongo was declared dead.
He said that, at this stage, there is no indication of foul play or suspicious circumstances surrounding the young boy’s death.
However, the community remains eager to understand the underlying factors that led to this tragic loss.
To address these concerns and provide clarity, an autopsy will be conducted. The results of the autopsy will help determine the actual cause of death.
