Independence weekend claims four in drowning incidents

NAMPA
2025-03-24
The Namibian Police Force logo The Namibian Police Force logo
WINDHOEK, 24 MAR (NAMPA) - A 37-year-old man allegedly drowned in a water pan at Ondado village on Sunday, the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has reported.
NamPol spokesperson, Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, said the deceased, identified as Salomo Akudhenga, was last seen in Olumbongo location at Oniipa Friday night.
“His family members reported him as missing at Onethindi Police Station Saturday evening. On Sunday, they started looking for him and eventually found his body floating in a water pan behind Okamwandi King service station near Olumbongo location, where he was last seen drinking marula drinks,” Kuwinga said.
Akudhenga’s body has been taken to the Onandjokwe State Hospital mortuary, where a postmortem was carried out.
Meanwhile, a 20-year-old man’s body was discovered in a river on Sunday evening at Farm Lekkerwater in the Kunene Region. The deceased, identified as Vivien Hamaseb, is suspected to have drowned between 18 March 2025 and 23 March 2025.
He allegedly left the farm for a neighbouring farm on 18 March, but did not reach the neighbouring farm. His next of kin are informed and police investigations continue.
In a separate incident, a 24-year-old Angolan goat herder drowned at Otjiperengo village near Sesfontein between Saturday and Sunday.
“He did not return with the goats and when other villagers went to search for him, they only found his clothes next to the waterhole. On Sunday they went back and managed to retrieve the body. No foul play is suspected at this stage,” Kuwinga said.
His next of kin are yet to be informed.
In Opuwo, Angolan national Kauendera Ruvandu drowned around 18h20 on Sunday after attempting to cross a river during heavy rains at Orutjandja location. His age is yet to be determined, the police said.
No foul play is suspected at this stage.
(NAMPA)
EB/AS

Latest NAMPA photos

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Delegates from the African Union and experts met in Windhoek on July 27-31 for the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Technical Committee on Social Development to enhance social safety nets and resilient labour markets in Africa. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Delegates from the African Union and experts met in Windhoek on July 27-31 for the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Technical Committee on Social Development to enhance social safety nets and resilient labour markets in Africa. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Delegates from the African Union, policy experts, and government ministers convened in Windhoek on Monday for a three-day event, the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Delegates from the African Union, policy experts, and government ministers convened in Windhoek on Monday for a three-day event, the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
GOBABIS, 27 July 2026 - Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate pictured with Deputy Executive Director and Chief Registrar in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security during a courtesy visit by the Ministry as part of the eID awareness campaign in Omaheke. (Photo: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

GOBABIS, 27 July 2026 - Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate pictured with Deputy Executive Director and Chief Registrar in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security during a courtesy visit by the Ministry as part of the eID awareness campaign in Omaheke. (Photo: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – African Union delegates are attending a week-long indaba from Monday to Friday, the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE 6) in Windhoek. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – African Union delegates are attending a week-long indaba from Monday to Friday, the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE 6) in Windhoek. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Namibia's Justice and Labour Relations Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, speaking at the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE 6) in Windhoek on Monday. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 – Namibia's Justice and Labour Relations Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, speaking at the Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment (STC-SDLE 6) in Windhoek on Monday. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 - Delegates from the African Union, policy experts, and government ministers gathered in Windhoek on Monday for the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour, and Employment (STC-SDLE 6). (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 27 July 2026 - Delegates from the African Union, policy experts, and government ministers gathered in Windhoek on Monday for the Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour, and Employment (STC-SDLE 6). (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
OPUWO, 27 July 2026 - The welcome sign at the entrance to Opuwo. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

OPUWO, 27 July 2026 - The welcome sign at the entrance to Opuwo. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

NAMPA
OPUWO, 27 July 2026 - Opuwo Mayor Kasipo Kakondo discusses ongoing infrastructure projects in the town. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

OPUWO, 27 July 2026 - Opuwo Mayor Kasipo Kakondo discusses ongoing infrastructure projects in the town. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

NAMPA