Tsumkwe learner dies instantly in accident on her way to school

OTJIWARONGO, 23 MAY  – A Grade 10 Tsumkwe Senior Secondary School (SSS) learner on Monday afternoon died instantly after a minibus she was travelling in with others overturned on the Grootfontein-Tsumkwe gravel road at around 15h00.
The 18-year-old has been identified as Martian Tjikua and her close relatives have been informed of her death.
Seven other occupants sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Grootfontein State Hospital.
The accident happened when the school learners were returning to school from their villages.
Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force in the Otjozondjupa Region, Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha on Wednesday confirmed to Nampa that the 28-seater government bus had 25 occupants, including the 32-year-old driver, at the time of the accident.
She explained that it is a standard practice in Tsmukwe as arranged by the education directorate in the region that learners be picked up and dropped off, for school due to the remoteness of the area.
“It is alleged that the driver had lost control over the bus between the M’kata Community Forest and Mangetti Dune causing it to overturn,” Mbeha said.
A culpable homicide docket has been opened against the driver at the Mangetti Dune police station and investigations in the matter continue.
(NAMPA)