Road death toll climbs again

AT least six lives were lost on public roads last week, just as the pilot road-safety project Xupifa Eemwenyo drew to a close.

During the implementation of the project, which spanned between the Easter and Cassinga Day long weekends, significant improvement had been recorded in the number of fatalities and serious injuries sustained on the roads. In the most serious case this past week, a Mazda minibus collided with a Toyota Corolla on the road between Arandis and Usakos.Four passengers from the minibus died.Four people died in the accident, and according to information 17 more sustained various degrees of injury.The deceased were identified as Samuel Goaseb (40), Toivo Thomas (42), Prisca Goses (4) and ‘Baby Boy’ Shoopala Shaende (seven months).Another accident occurred between Windhoek and Okahandja on Sunday, and led to the death of 22-year-old Natasha Kandovoza.She died on the spot after the driver of the BMW she had been travelling in lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.Four other passengers sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Katutura State hospital.At Katima Mulilo, a 17-year-old girl was killed when she was hit by a car while trying to cross the road.The accident happened in the Bukalo area, on the Ngoma road, Police report.A case of culpable homicide is being investigated, they say.Also last Thursday, 26-year-old Junias Shikongeni suffered a broken collarbone after the driver of the vehicle he had been travelling in spotted a donkey in the road and swerved the car straight into a gate.The incident happened in the Hardap Region, between Nooigedacht farm and Jakkalsdraai.The driver was not injured.Police say they are investigating a case of reckless or negligent driving against the driver.In the most serious case this past week, a Mazda minibus collided with a Toyota Corolla on the road between Arandis and Usakos.Four passengers from the minibus died.Four people died in the accident, and according to information 17 more sustained various degrees of injury.The deceased were identified as Samuel Goaseb (40), Toivo Thomas (42), Prisca Goses (4) and ‘Baby Boy’ Shoopala Shaende (seven months).Another accident occurred between Windhoek and Okahandja on Sunday, and led to the death of 22-year-old Natasha Kandovoza.She died on the spot after the driver of the BMW she had been travelling in lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.Four other passengers sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Katutura State hospital.At Katima Mulilo, a 17-year-old girl was killed when she was hit by a car while trying to cross the road.The accident happened in the Bukalo area, on the Ngoma road, Police report.A case of culpable homicide is being investigated, they say.Also last Thursday, 26-year-old Junias Shikongeni suffered a broken collarbone after the driver of the vehicle he had been travelling in spotted a donkey in the road and swerved the car straight into a gate.The incident happened in the Hardap Region, between Nooigedacht farm and Jakkalsdraai.The driver was not injured.Police say they are investigating a case of reckless or negligent driving against the driver.