Crash victims identified

THE names of three people who died in a bus accident between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Monday evening were released yesterday, following positive identification by their families.

Police Warrant Officer James Matengu yesterday confirmed the deaths of 18-year-old Saimi Nokongo, 20-year-old Johannes Stefanus and 36-year-old Paulus Nangolo. Eight people lost their lives in the accident, which occurred when the bus belonging to NHS Car Palace in Oranjemund left the road and overturned about 20 kilometres from Okahandja.Although the total number of passengers on board the bus has been reported in the media as 43, Matengu said yesterday that there were only 23 people on board.The bus had a capacity to seat 60 passengers.The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Police Mortuary in Windhoek, while the injured were rushed to the Okahandja State Hospital.Police are investigating a charge of culpable homicide against the driver of the vehicle.* Also on Monday, 13-year-old Ester Sheehama died after being hit by a car on the road between Oshivelo and Ondangwa.She had been trying to cross the road when the accident took place.* On Sunday morning, 21-year-old Lahja Katonyala died in the Onandjokwe hospital in the Oshana Region after the vehicle she had been a passenger in overturned.Police are investigating a charge of culpable homicide against the driver.* A 24-year-old man was arrested on the road between Keetmanshoop and Luederitz on December 28, after Police found him in possession of a parcel of cannabis (dagga) weighing 452 grams, worth around N$ 1 356.Eight people lost their lives in the accident, which occurred when the bus belonging to NHS Car Palace in Oranjemund left the road and overturned about 20 kilometres from Okahandja.Although the total number of passengers on board the bus has been reported in the media as 43, Matengu said yesterday that there were only 23 people on board.The bus had a capacity to seat 60 passengers.The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Police Mortuary in Windhoek, while the injured were rushed to the Okahandja State Hospital.Police are investigating a charge of culpable homicide against the driver of the vehicle.* Also on Monday, 13-year-old Ester Sheehama died after being hit by a car on the road between Oshivelo and Ondangwa.She had been trying to cross the road when the accident took place.* On Sunday morning, 21-year-old Lahja Katonyala died in the Onandjokwe hospital in the Oshana Region after the vehicle she had been a passenger in overturned.Police are investigating a charge of culpable homicide against the driver.* A 24-year-old man was arrested on the road between Keetmanshoop and Luederitz on December 28, after Police found him in possession of a parcel of cannabis (dagga) weighing 452 grams, worth around N$ 1 356.