ALL 27 victims of Tuesday’s horror crash between a bus and a truck near Grootfontein have been identified.
About 66 people from the Kavango Region arrived at Oshakati by bus on Friday night to identify the 26 bodies in the Police and State Hospital mortuaries. On their arrival they were welcomed by regional government officials, Police officers and Red Cross workers.Early on Saturday morning, a church service was held to prepare people for the grim task ahead.Afterwards, they proceeded to the mortuary, where the severely mutilated bodies had been laid out on the stoep.The deceased were identified as: Manfred Katarayu (age unknown, from Rundu), Frieda Kasiku Tjikerwa (23, Rundu), Sandrina Nyama Shinyengo (29, Rundu), Helvi Mberema (28, Rundu), Tsiswamo Immanuel Vepanda (42, Rundu), Edwardo Domingo (48, Rundu), Matine Sikeva (37, from Rundu), Alexander Kavindama Lengura (15, Rundu), Medartius Hausiku Hamutenya (age unknown, Rundu), Isack Meves Nathanael (6, Rundu), Thomas Fredrick (15, Rundu), Mbangu Nelson Mbangu (15), Helena Aletha Tukaleinawa Kamhulu (7, Rundu), Booi Siphiwe Manuel Jeje (2, Rundu), Mukonda Klaudia (3, Rundu), Markus Lengura (15, Rundu), Mandandi Ester (23, Rundu), Kambinda Fish Johannes (33, Rundu), Murungu F.Ndumba (5, Rundu), Mukengeli Kaluwashi (age unknown, Rundu), Hanna Musomba Rumbara (16), Paulus S.Sapalo (19, Rundu), Regina Malengo Haimbili (19, Rundu), Kambari Martin (41, Windhoek), Jackson Kamhulu (age unknown) and Sibola Martin Kanyondi (age unknown, Rundu).The 27th victim, who died in the Grootfontein Hospital and was transferred to the Tsumeb mortuary, has been identified as Levi Ndara, aged between 20 and 30, also from Rundu.According to the Chairman of the MVA Fund, Philip Amunyela, the bodies would be transported to Rundu on a Defence Force plane this week.The funeral arrangements should be finalised by tomorrow, he said.A committee consisting of officials of the Kavango Regional Governor’s office, the Red Cross and MVA Fund officials will decide whether to hold a mass funeral or individual burials.Amunyela said the MVA Fund would give the family of each victim N$7 000 to cover funeral and transport costs.Donations are rolling in from other organisations and individuals.The Oshana Regional Council has donated N$5 000, while the Kapia Funeral Service has donated seven coffins.Three survivors of the crash – the lorry driver, his passenger and one bus passenger – are said to be in a stable condition in hospital.The fourth survivor, Joseph Sitarara (20), sustained only minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital.* Meanwhile, the four people who died in a taxi accident near Oshakati on Thursday have been identified.The Oshakati Police have named them as Edward Hamwaama (33) from Ohamuti in the Omusati region, Asser Netto (30), also from Ohamuti, Ursula Angula, a nurse at Oshikuku hospital, and Raina Iipumbu from Oshipya village in the Omusati Region.On their arrival they were welcomed by regional government officials, Police officers and Red Cross workers.Early on Saturday morning, a church service was held to prepare people for the grim task ahead.Afterwards, they proceeded to the mortuary, where the severely mutilated bodies had been laid out on the stoep. The deceased were identified as: Manfred Katarayu (age unknown, from Rundu), Frieda Kasiku Tjikerwa (23, Rundu), Sandrina Nyama Shinyengo (29, Rundu), Helvi Mberema (28, Rundu), Tsiswamo Immanuel Vepanda (42, Rundu), Edwardo Domingo (48, Rundu), Matine Sikeva (37, from Rundu), Alexander Kavindama Lengura (15, Rundu), Medartius Hausiku Hamutenya (age unknown, Rundu), Isack Meves Nathanael (6, Rundu), Thomas Fredrick (15, Rundu), Mbangu Nelson Mbangu (15), Helena Aletha Tukaleinawa Kamhulu (7, Rundu), Booi Siphiwe Manuel Jeje (2, Rundu), Mukonda Klaudia (3, Rundu), Markus Lengura (15, Rundu), Mandandi Ester (23, Rundu), Kambinda Fish Johannes (33, Rundu), Murungu F.Ndumba (5, Rundu), Mukengeli Kaluwashi (age unknown, Rundu), Hanna Musomba Rumbara (16), Paulus S.Sapalo (19, Rundu), Regina Malengo Haimbili (19, Rundu), Kambari Martin (41, Windhoek), Jackson Kamhulu (age unknown) and Sibola Martin Kanyondi (age unknown, Rundu).The 27th victim, who died in the Grootfontein Hospital and was transferred to the Tsumeb mortuary, has been identified as Levi Ndara, aged between 20 and 30, also from Rundu.According to the Chairman of the MVA Fund, Philip Amunyela, the bodies would be transported to Rundu on a Defence Force plane this week.The funeral arrangements should be finalised by tomorrow, he said.A committee consisting of officials of the Kavango Regional Governor’s office, the Red Cross and MVA Fund officials will decide whether to hold a mass funeral or individual burials.Amunyela said the MVA Fund would give the family of each victim N$7 000 to cover funeral and transport costs.Donations are rolling in from other organisations and individuals.The Oshana Regional Council has donated N$5 000, while the Kapia Funeral Service has donated seven coffins.Three survivors of the crash – the lorry driver, his passenger and one bus passenger – are said to be in a stable condition in hospital.The fourth survivor, Joseph Sitarara (20), sustained only minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital.* Meanwhile, the four people who died in a taxi accident near Oshakati on Thursday have been identified.The Oshakati Police have named them as Edward Hamwaama (33) from Ohamuti in the Omusati region, Asser Netto (30), also from Ohamuti, Ursula Angula, a nurse at Oshikuku hospital, and Raina Iipumbu from Oshipya village in the Omusati Region.
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