Keetmans apprentice electrocuted

A trainee fitter and turner of the Southern Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) at Keetmanshoop was electrocuted on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident occurred at the Southern Choice Mills. Police Deputy Commissioner Josephat Abel said Stephanus Nampala (20), son of senior Police officer Nicky Nampala, was electrocuted while working on a sifting machine. Abel said Nampala died on his way to a private medical clinic. He said the Police were investigating whether negligence had contributed to Nampala’s death. Nampala was doing a six-month stint of practical training at the mill.Southern Choice Mills owner Erich Von Schaurudh yesterday conveyed his condolences to Nampala’s family. ‘I’m really shocked over Nampala’s death. I hand-picked Nampala to do his practical training at the company, therefore his untimely death has touched me a lot,’ said Von Schaurudh.Von Schaurudh said the sifting machine was switched off when Nampala worked on it.’At this stage it is only presumed that Nampala died of an electric shock. We can’t really tell what had happened,’ he said.’We all have to wait for an outcome of ongoing investigations.’Deputy Commissioner Abel disagreed with Von Schaurudh’s statement. ‘The electricity was live. This was confirmed by an electrician. If it was off, as claimed, maybe the machine had a defect,’ said Abel.’A medical doctor declared that the deceased died of an electric shock,’ he added. According to Von Schaurudh, Labour Ministry officials were to inspect the safety standards at the company yesterday. luqman@namibian.com.na