Okahandja toddler drowns in bucket of water

OTJIWARONGO, 24 MAR – A one-year-old baby girl on Friday drowned in a bucket of dirty water at the Nau-Aib informal settlement in Okahandja.
Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha on Saturday told Nampa the deceased has been identified as Paulina Mueshitumba.
She said Mueshitumba was on Friday at 11h30 seen playing with another baby boy inside her parents’ residential yard, while her 24-year-old guardian was cleaning at the back of their dwelling.
Mbeha said it was during that time the little girl allegedly fell with her head into a 25 litre bucket containing approximately 5 litres of dirty water.
“Mueshitumba was found dead on the spot,” said Mbeha.
No foul play is suspected, and an inquest docket has been opened at the Okahandja Police Station while investigations continue.
According to Mbeha, the Okahandja drowning is the second incident in a week in the region. A one-year-old boy on Wednesday drowned in a pool of rainwater at Plot Otjitazu no. 2 situated along the Otjiwarongo-Outjo road.
The boy drowned while his mother was asleep.
Mbeha called on parents and caretakers to stay close and give total attention to their children.

NAMPA