Expired blood alcohol testing kits and a malfunctioning breathalyser machine have complicated the investigation into a fatal accident at Ondangwa that claimed one life and injured six people.
This is according to a police incident report shared by Oshana police regional commander commissioner Andreas Shilelo on Wednesday.
The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a minibus allegedly lost control after colliding with a hatchback and ploughed into street vendors and pedestrians along the roadside.
Ananias Mvula (44), a resident of Okatale village at Uukwiyu Uushona, died at the scene.
Six women sustained injuries and were transported to hospital by private ambulances.
Cecilia Kandenge reportedly suffered serious head injuries, while Rosalia Simon, Elizabeth Namtanga, Linda Nteka, Johanna Mumbandje and Hanna Amwele sustained moderate injuries.
The police have opened cases of culpable homicide and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
According to the police report, the minibus driver tested positive during a roadside breathalyser test, recording 0.69 mg/L, which the police say exceeded the legal limit.
However, investigators are facing evidentiary challenges after blood alcohol testing kits at police stations in the Oshana and neighbouring Oshikoto regions were found to have expired.
“The regional Draeger breathalyser machine is also reportedly out of order,” part of the report reads.
“The Iveco driver was detained overnight because of the seriousness of the incident,” the police say in the report.
The police were expected to decide on Wednesday whether to continue holding the driver or release him on a J127 warning while investigations continue.
