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afropages.fr - Mariental council writes off N$1.26m senior debt [Informanté]

…Mariental accident victims remembered  Justicia Shipena  The nation remember lives lost in a tragic accident in a memorial service. This follows the death of 16 people in a head-on collision near Mariental on 30 August, including 14 officers from the Namibian Police Force and Namibia Correctional Service (NSC) and two civilian sisters, Diana Jagger and Roseltha Higoam.  Among the deceased were officers David Musambani, Naemi Shipena, Silvanus Hofeni, Simon Sinyemba, Alina Simeon, Petrus Mbuale, Adreheid Taapopi, Noa Hameho, Tomas Shikongo, Johannes Mbeeli, Jason Amadhila, Katjitombua Muheue, Mercia Louw, and Gerson Hepute. The crash happened in the early hours of Saturday and involved a Correctional Service van en route to the Hardap Correctional Facility and a Police Force vehicle transporting civilians to the Mariental State Hospital.  A mass memorial service was held at the Mariental sports field on Wednesday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah led the nation in mourning, calling the accident a heavy cloud of grief hanging over Namibia.  “We gather here this morning as a nation in deep shock, with a sense of disbelief and profound sadness,” she said.  “We are not only standing in solidarity with the bereaved families, but we also walk this painful journey with you.”  She reminded citizens that Namibia had lost more than officers in uniform, noting they were also family members, breadwinners, and future leaders.  Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the public to take the tragedy as a reminder of the importance of road safety.  “Every life is precious, and every decision made when we are on our roads carries the possibility of profound consequences,” she said. She assured families that the government, together with the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund), will provide all necessary support, including swift processing of death certificates, transport arrangements, counselling, and psychosocial support.  “We also cannot overlook the invisible wounds carried by those left behind. As we find ourselves under this dark cloud of shock, grief and sorrow, let us draw strength from our unity and resilience as one people, with One Heart and One Mind,” she added.  Hardap governor Riaan McNab told families that no words can undo the pain or fill the gap left by their loved ones.  Home affairs, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu said the late officers served with courage and devotion.  “We honour their sacrifices, and we will remember their names,” she said.  She urged the public to respect the memory of the deceased by refraining from sharing images that cause pain.  “Let’s choose compassion over curiosity and dignity over speculation.” NSC commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela also paid tribute to the late officers, calling their service and sacrifice unforgettable.  He urged Namibians to honour their legacy by upholding unity and compassion.  “Dear mourners, let us now channel our grief into support. Let us surround the bereaved families with our unwavering love, prayer, and practical assistance,” he said.

[Namibian] A memorial service will be held at the Mariental sport field on Wednesday to honour the 16 people who died in an accident near Mariental on Saturday.

afropages.fr - Mémorial mariental pour 16 victimes de crash [Informanté]

afropages.fr - Mémorial mariental pour 16 victimes de crash [Informanté]

Today, Mariental hosts a mass memorial service for those who lost their lives in the tragic head-on collision. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to attend, the Presidency confirms. Police Inspector-General...

[Namibian] Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela says he is taking the blame for Saturday's accident at Mariental where 14 officers and two civilians died.

Namibia Sets to Honour Lives of 16 Crash Victims at Mariental Memorial Service  instagram.com

Police confirm pregnant woman killed in Mariental accident NBC Online Tue, 09/02/2025 - 13:38

Allexer Namundjembo A heavily pregnant woman, her unborn baby, and her sister were among 16 people who perished in the deadly head-on collision near Mariental on Saturday morning.  The accident  also claimed the lives of 12 correctional officers, two police officers, and two civilians. The collision occurred just after 07h00 on the B1 road, about seven kilometres north of Mariental. Four police officers had rushed to Withuis location to assist Diana Jagger, who had gone into labour and had no transport to hospital.  They picked up Jagger along with her sister Roseltha Higoam but never reached their destination. Inspector general of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo, said the tragedy extends beyond the 16 confirmed deaths.  “The baby was fully developed, literally. We lost 17 lives in this tragedy if we include the unborn baby,” he said.  However, according to Jagger’s family members she was eight months pregnant with twins.  Shikongo confirmed that 14 people died instantly, while two officers later succumbed to their injuries.  “One died in an ambulance on the way to Windhoek and another in the operating theatre. The situation is heartbreaking. Even those still in hospital are not completely out of danger. They are receiving treatment, but we continue to pray for them,” Shikongo said. The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, expressed shock that correctional officers were transported in a van reserved for inmates when a Quantum bus meant for their use was available. She said investigators are probing the matter. She assured the public that postmortems would be completed by Tuesday to speed up the return of remains for burial.  The ministry is also fast-tracking the issuing of death certificates and burial removal documents.  The those who died in the Mariental accident include senior chief correctional officer David Mawis Musambani, chief correctional officers Naemi Ndapewashali Shipena and Silvanus Kuutondokwa Hofeni, as well as senior correctional officers Simon Ndumba Sinyemba, Alina Ndategako Simeon, Petrus Muataua Mbuale, and Noa Mandume Hameho. Also among the deceased are correctional officers Tomas Negumbo Shikongo, Adreheid Taapopi, Johannes Mbeeli, Katjitombua Muheue, and Jason Jackson Jatileni Amadhila. The list is completed by sergeant Mercia Louw, Constable Gerson Hepute. Iipumbu confirmed that wellness officers have been dispatched to provide psycho-social support to survivors, grieving families, and colleagues. The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund pledged support for all victims.  MVA Fund chief executive officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said the fund will provide compensation for spouses and children of the deceased, as well as income support for the four hospitalised survivors. Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement leader Job Amupanda expressed sorrow over the deaths of uniformed personnel and called for urgent reforms.  “We need safer transportation arrangements for officers. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those in service,” he said. Hardap governor Riaan van Zyl also conveyed condolences and said measures are in place to assist affected families.  An official memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 11h00 at the Mariental Sports Fields, where the community will gather to honour those who died in the line of duty. In the aftermath, the government was blamed for the accident and accused of negligence.

Government assesses aftermath of fatal Mariental crash NBC Online Mon, 09/01/2025 - 20:03

MVA Fund outlines support for Mariental accident victims’ families NBC Online Mon, 09/01/2025 - 20:13

The Mariental road accident involving Namibian Correctional Service and Police vehicles has claimed 16 lives, including police and correctional services officials. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Minister Lucia Iipumbu extended condolences...

Leaders mourn Mariental crash victims, urge road safety action NBC Online Mon, 09/01/2025 - 08:53

Death toll rises to 16 in tragic accident near Mariental NBC Online Sun, 08/31/2025 - 13:26

A head-on collision in Namibia involving vehicles belonging to the security services has killed 16 people. The accident took place 270km (167 miles) south of the capital, Windhoek, outside the town of Mariental on Saturday. "No words can truly capture the depth of this loss," President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah wrote on social media, praising "the souls of our fallen officers". Namibia has one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world.

The City of Mariental, Namibia champions urban resilience through capacity building workshop  UNDRR

Mariental welcomes Miss Namibia Johanna Swartbooi NBC Online Tue, 08/05/2025 - 16:34

Explore this photo album by Marco Di Leo on Flickr!