Windhoek: Two people died and four others sustained serious injuries in an accident on the B1 road between Oshivelo and Omuthiya on Friday. According to Namibia Press Agency, a weekend crime report issued by Namibian Police Force (NamPol) spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, stated that an 18-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man died at the scene after a Toyota seven-seater vehicle overturned following an alleged tyre burst. Four other occupants, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.
In a separate incident at Katondo village near Rundu, 47-year-old Gabriel Regina Mbava died in an alleged hit-and-run incident. Police said the driver of a Toyota sedan allegedly fled the scene following the incident and had not yet been arrested.
In another incident, 41-year-old pedestrian Fillemon Nikodemus Nadhipite died after he was allegedly struck by a Kia sedan on the C46 road between Ongwediva and Ondangwa on Friday night. The driver of the vehicle, who is alleged to have been driving under the influence of alcohol, was arrested.
Meanwhile, a fatal truck crash was reported on the B8 road near Chetto on Saturday morning. Police said one truck allegedly crossed into the lane of another truck, causing the second vehicle to overturn several times. The driver of the second truck, identified as Simasiku Ricky Simasiku, died at the scene, while other occupants sustained serious injuries. The driver who allegedly caused the crash was arrested and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Police also reported several armed robberies over the weekend. In Windhoek, four masked suspects allegedly armed with firearms and a knife poisoned a dog before breaking into a residence at Ludwigsdorf in the early hours of Friday. The suspects allegedly tied up three residents, assaulted them, and locked them in a bathroom before stealing electronic devices, clothing, jewellery, and cash valued at approximately N$21,000.
In Walvis Bay, six men allegedly armed with a pistol and two machetes entered a residence through a back door and tied up two residents. They allegedly stole a rifle, electronic devices, and N$3,000 in cash. The total value of the stolen property was estimated at N$211,500. No arrests had been made and none of the stolen property had been recovered in either robbery at the time of the report.
In an unrelated incident at Omuhongo-Onanyama village in the Epembe area, a 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 76-year-old pensioner. The suspect is in police custody.
Police also recorded several deaths being investigated as suspected suicides or inquests. At Rehoboth, the body of 37-year-old Dominicus Leonardus De Waal was found hanging from a tree. No suicide note was found. In Windhoek, 24-year-old Catlin Beukes allegedly died by suicide at a residence in Hochland Park. At Grootfontein, a 34-year-old security guard allegedly shot himself with his service shotgun and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
In a separate incident at Havana informal settlement in Windhoek, 29-year-old Simon Waandja died after a gas cylinder allegedly exploded while he was cooking, causing his shack to catch fire. At Ondobe, 65-year-old Rosalia Taukondjele died after her hut caught fire. It is alleged that she had carried burning material from the kitchen into the hut before the fire broke out.
Meanwhile, police at Okakarara arrested a 57-year-old woman after suspects were allegedly found transporting oryx meat. Eight other suspects reportedly fled the scene. Police investigations into the matters continue.