Mystery deaths shock Namibians in UK

MEMBERS of the Namibian community in the United Kingdom, estimated to be up to 20 000, are said to be in shock following the mysterious deaths of two people on work exchange programmes there.

Such is the alarm that the Namibian High Commission in London has had to try and dispel rumours about the alleged death of a third person within a week. The remains of the two Namibians, who died in the first week of this month, were flown home two weekends ago.The mission has appealed to Namibians in the UK to register with the consul so that the diplomats can handle “emergencies” with ease.Titus Shikongo, the First Secretary for Consular Services in London, confirmed to The Namibian that Kenneth Kaunda Sakaria from Elim in the Omusati Region and Sylvia Shingenge died – on September 3 and 4 respectively.But, in connection with the possible third death, he said:”That’s unfounded.If it was the case that a third person died by now we would have heard it.”Sakaria died the day after he was admitted to hospital.Shingenge, who was in a coma for two weeks, died the following day of “natural causes”.Both were living and working in food factories at Kings Lynn, a town in the Cambridge area.Sakaria was employed by a poultry packaging firm.However, Shikongo was unable to say what work Shingenge (32) was doing.According to some reports, she was also studying.Shikongo said Sakaria and Shingenge went to the UK in July and May this year as part of the two-year “working visa” agreement between Namibia and Britain, which caters for young adults aged between 18 and 30.”Some people are saying three died.There are only two.We have visited others and they are doing fine,” said Shikongo, whose job is to look after the welfare of Namibian citizens in the UK.He called on Namibians in the UK to inform his office about their presence, whereabouts and next of kin or friends whom the high commission could get in touch with.Shikongo also said they needed to contact Namibians when making important announcements such as registration and voting for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.Shikongo said an estimated 15 000 to 20 000 Namibians live in the United Kingdom.The remains of the two Namibians, who died in the first week of this month, were flown home two weekends ago.The mission has appealed to Namibians in the UK to register with the consul so that the diplomats can handle “emergencies” with ease.Titus Shikongo, the First Secretary for Consular Services in London, confirmed to The Namibian that Kenneth Kaunda Sakaria from Elim in the Omusati Region and Sylvia Shingenge died – on September 3 and 4 respectively.But, in connection with the possible third death, he said:”That’s unfounded.If it was the case that a third person died by now we would have heard it.”Sakaria died the day after he was admitted to hospital.Shingenge, who was in a coma for two weeks, died the following day of “natural causes”.Both were living and working in food factories at Kings Lynn, a town in the Cambridge area.Sakaria was employed by a poultry packaging firm.However, Shikongo was unable to say what work Shingenge (32) was doing.According to some reports, she was also studying.Shikongo said Sakaria and Shingenge went to the UK in July and May this year as part of the two-year “working visa” agreement between Namibia and Britain, which caters for young adults aged between 18 and 30.”Some people are saying three died.There are only two.We have visited others and they are doing fine,” said Shikongo, whose job is to look after the welfare of Namibian citizens in the UK.He called on Namibians in the UK to inform his office about their presence, whereabouts and next of kin or friends whom the high commission could get in touch with.Shikongo also said they needed to contact Namibians when making important announcements such as registration and voting for the upcoming presidential and National Assembly elections.Shikongo said an estimated 15 000 to 20 000 Namibians live in the United Kingdom.