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

OTJINENE  - Otjinene All-Stars won the netball category of the Honourable Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo All-Stars tournament 2026 (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

OTJINENE - Otjinene All-Stars won the netball category of the Honourable Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo All-Stars tournament 2026 (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

NAMPA
OTJINENE  - Otjinene All-Stars football triumph Honourable Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo All-Stars tournament 2026 (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

OTJINENE - Otjinene All-Stars football triumph Honourable Vezemba Rodman Katjaimo All-Stars tournament 2026 (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 31 August 2026 - Forty-two high school delegates from across Namibia’s 14 regions, pictured with members of parliament assembled at the National Council Chamber on Monday as the 4th Junior National Council (JNC) officially opened its first session. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 31 August 2026 - Forty-two high school delegates from across Namibia’s 14 regions, pictured with members of parliament assembled at the National Council Chamber on Monday as the 4th Junior National Council (JNC) officially opened its first session. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 31 AUG (NAMPA) - The Fourth Junior National Council on Monday has elected Fritz Hangue from the ||Karas region as Chairperson, with Loini Nangolo (Erongo) as Deputy Chairperson; Willem Abiatar (Omusati) as the Chief Whip, with Etuhole Philemon from the Oshana region as the Deputy Chief Whip. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

WINDHOEK, 31 AUG (NAMPA) - The Fourth Junior National Council on Monday has elected Fritz Hangue from the ||Karas region as Chairperson, with Loini Nangolo (Erongo) as Deputy Chairperson; Willem Abiatar (Omusati) as the Chief Whip, with Etuhole Philemon from the Oshana region as the Deputy Chief Whip. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA
ORANDJEMUND, 31 August 2026 - Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Immanuel addressed participants during the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) roundtable discussions in Oranjemund over the weekend. (Photo: Contributed)

ORANDJEMUND, 31 August 2026 - Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Immanuel addressed participants during the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) roundtable discussions in Oranjemund over the weekend. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA
NKURENKURU, 31 August 2026 - in the picture Winni Metzger owner of Metzger Koranyara Trading CC and Kavango West Chief Regional Officer Matheus Singambwe after signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Kavango West Regional Council and  Metzger Koranyara Trading CC on Monday . (Photo: Lylie Joel) NAMPA

NKURENKURU, 31 August 2026 - in the picture Winni Metzger owner of Metzger Koranyara Trading CC and Kavango West Chief Regional Officer Matheus Singambwe after signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Kavango West Regional Council and Metzger Koranyara Trading CC on Monday . (Photo: Lylie Joel) NAMPA

NAMPA
B1 ROAD, 31 August 2026 - The accident scene where four people died on Monday after a 16-seater bus and Ford Bantam collided head-on approximately 120 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on the B1 road. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

B1 ROAD, 31 August 2026 - The accident scene where four people died on Monday after a 16-seater bus and Ford Bantam collided head-on approximately 120 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on the B1 road. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA
OTJIWARONGO, 31 August 2026 - Four people died in an accident after a 16-seater minibus and Ford Bantam collided head-on approximately 120 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on Monday. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

OTJIWARONGO, 31 August 2026 - Four people died in an accident after a 16-seater minibus and Ford Bantam collided head-on approximately 120 kilometres south of Otjiwarongo on Monday. (Photo by: Mulisa Simiyasa) NAMPA

NAMPA