Carnage on Erongo roads during Easter weekend

At least two people died on the roads of the Erongo Region during this year’s Easter holiday. Several more were seriously injured during various motor vehicle accidents. The Namibian Police remains gravely concerned about rising road accident statistic.
According to Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, regional crime investigations coordinator for the Namibian Police in Erongo, one person sustained serious injuries during an accident on Sunday afternoon about 35 kilometers North of Henties Bay. The person sadly passed away a short while later. Initial reports indicate that the driver, Salom Antonio (32), lost control over a Toyota Corolla whilst traveling towards Cape Cross. The vehicle overturned several times. Antonio was admitted to the Swakopmund State Hospital where he passed away shortly before midnight.
The passenger Cecilia Salathiel (24) was seriously injured and was later transferred to Windhoek from a Swakopmund hospital. The other occupants of the vehicle, Eben Mutilifa (20) and Elia Shimwino (32) sustained no injuries, while Elizabeth Hangula (27) was slightly injured.
The police in Walvis Bay is investigating a case of culpable homicide and reckless and/or negligent driving after an accident early on Sunday at about 23:15 that claimed the life of Loretha Louw (41). It is alleged that at the intersection of Nangolo Mbumba Drive and 5th Road a white Nissan Double cab (N154-660W) with two occupants, Robert Hanekom (45) and passenger Louw, was hit on the passenger’s door by a white Toyota Hilux Double cab (N168-988W). Liam Daniel (25) was the only occupant of the other vehicle. Louw died on the spot and the driver, Hanekom, was seriously injured. Daniel was also seriously injured. The injured were admitted at the Welwitschia hospital and Walvis Bay State Hospital respectively.
Six people were seriously injured and one sustained critical injuries during an accident on Friday at about 15:16 on the road between Karibib and Omaruru. According to Deputy Commissioner Iikuyu the suspected cause of the accident is a tyre blow-out. The white Nissan double cab (N2849OM) overturned with seven passengers and the driver about ten kilometers from the Karibib air force base. The driver Mrs. E Katjiua sustained only minor injuries.
A six year-old boy, Penayee Katjiua, was one of the critically injured and was transferred to a hospital in Windhoek. Five other passengers sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Usakos State Hospital, where one more person was later also transferred to Windhoek: Johanna Neshuku (29), Ingrith Katjiua (17), Himumuine Katjiua (19), Nancy Tjitandi (17), Salomon Petrus (44). Only one occupant, Saddo Mushule (30), were slightly injured.
Two Zimbabwean nationals were injured during another serious motor vehicle accident on Friday at about 22:40 on the B2 road between Usakos and Arandis. According to Iikuyu the driver, Michael Richard Matafeni (26) and his girlfriend Bonani Mthimkhulu (25), were on their way towards Walvis Bay for the Easter Weekend traveling in a silver Toyota Etios (FB77YZGP).
It is alleged about 45 kilometers from Usakos the driver lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to overturn. Eyewitnesses reported that speeding might have been the cause of the accident. The girlfriend had just arrived in Namibia from South Africa for a visit. She sustained a fractured hip and a head injury. She was admitted to the Swakopmund State Hospital and is in a stable condition. The driver, who works and resides in Windhoek, sustained minor injuries.