NEWS - NAMIBIA
| 2013-08-0821 pupils escape death
Oswald Shivute
SURVIVED ... Twenty-one pupils from several schools in Oshakati escaped death when the minibus that carried them overturned yesterday morning.Photo: Oswald Shivute
TWENTY-one pupils escaped death, some with serious injuries, when the minibus they were travelling in overturned on a gravel road leading to the Hifikepunye Pohamba Unam Campus in Oshakati yesterday.
According to the Oshana Police Commander, Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa, the minibus was supposed to carry only 10 passengers, instead of the driver taking on an additional eleven.
Commissioner Kashihakumwa said the driver did not have a driving licence and was arrested and charged with a case of reckless driving and driving a motor vehicle without a driving licence. He is expected to appear in the Oshakati Magistrates’ Court today.
The injured pupils, most of whom attend school at International Primary School, Golden Maggy Private Primary School and Onekulilo-Omagano Private Primary School, were rushed to the Oshakati State Hospital where they were treated immediately. “We thank God for having protected them. They could have been dead. We think they will all survive this car accident and will be fit again to go home and attend their school further,” said Salotte Iipinge, who is one of the affected parents. She also called on bus and taxi owners not to let their taxis and buses be driven by individuals without licences.
The principal of the International Primary School Rehabeam Shapaka told The Namibian that nine of the injured children attend his school.
He said some were to write their examinations yesterday but could not do so, due to the accident. Shapaka further explained that arrangements have been made to allow the pupils to write the exams once they are discharged from the Oshakati State Hospital.
Commissioner Kashihakumwa advised the principals of the schools to assist the affected children psychologically.
Commissioner Kashihakumwa said the driver did not have a driving licence and was arrested and charged with a case of reckless driving and driving a motor vehicle without a driving licence. He is expected to appear in the Oshakati Magistrates’ Court today.
The injured pupils, most of whom attend school at International Primary School, Golden Maggy Private Primary School and Onekulilo-Omagano Private Primary School, were rushed to the Oshakati State Hospital where they were treated immediately. “We thank God for having protected them. They could have been dead. We think they will all survive this car accident and will be fit again to go home and attend their school further,” said Salotte Iipinge, who is one of the affected parents. She also called on bus and taxi owners not to let their taxis and buses be driven by individuals without licences.
The principal of the International Primary School Rehabeam Shapaka told The Namibian that nine of the injured children attend his school.
He said some were to write their examinations yesterday but could not do so, due to the accident. Shapaka further explained that arrangements have been made to allow the pupils to write the exams once they are discharged from the Oshakati State Hospital.
Commissioner Kashihakumwa advised the principals of the schools to assist the affected children psychologically.
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