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, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) while in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) while in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) while in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Rehoboth rugby club players (in red) while in action against Trustco United (in blue) during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Miquel Busch of Rehoboth (in red) with the ball resists Gerhard Oppermann (in blue on the ground) of Trustco United during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 July 2026 - Miquel Busch of Rehoboth (in red) with the ball resists Gerhard Oppermann (in blue on the ground) of Trustco United during round eight of the Namibia Rugby Union Premier League at the Trustco United field in Olympia. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA
KATIMA MULILO, 17 July 2026- National Steering Committee member, Sepo Kamwayamunzi makes a presentation during a one-day consultative meeting on the Namibia Space Science and Technology Bill on Friday at Katima Mulilo’s Zambezi Regional Council auditorium. Zambezi became the 10th region consulted on the proposed legislation. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

KATIMA MULILO, 17 July 2026- National Steering Committee member, Sepo Kamwayamunzi makes a presentation during a one-day consultative meeting on the Namibia Space Science and Technology Bill on Friday at Katima Mulilo’s Zambezi Regional Council auditorium. Zambezi became the 10th region consulted on the proposed legislation. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

NAMPA
KATIMA MULILO, 17 July 2026 - The National Steering Committee responsible for developing the Namibia Space Science and Technology Bill held a one-day consultative meeting on Friday at the Zambezi Regional Council. Led by Dr Lisho Mundia, the Zambezi Region became the 10th region consulted on the proposed legislation. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

KATIMA MULILO, 17 July 2026 - The National Steering Committee responsible for developing the Namibia Space Science and Technology Bill held a one-day consultative meeting on Friday at the Zambezi Regional Council. Led by Dr Lisho Mundia, the Zambezi Region became the 10th region consulted on the proposed legislation. (Photo by: Michael Mutonga Liswaniso) NAMPA

NAMPA
RUNDU, 18 July 2026 - The Kavango River. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

RUNDU, 18 July 2026 - The Kavango River. (Photo by: Sawi Hausiku) NAMPA

NAMPA
MARIENTAL, 17 July 2026 - Hardap Regional Police Deputy Commissioner of the Crime Investigations Division, Theodore Kotungondo, addresses members of the media before the destruction of drugs worth N$462 510 at the Mariental State Hospital incinerator. (Photo by: Joe-Chintha Garises) NAMPA

MARIENTAL, 17 July 2026 - Hardap Regional Police Deputy Commissioner of the Crime Investigations Division, Theodore Kotungondo, addresses members of the media before the destruction of drugs worth N$462 510 at the Mariental State Hospital incinerator. (Photo by: Joe-Chintha Garises) NAMPA

NAMPA