GOBABIS – What started as a normal and usual day took a horrible turn on Monday afternoon when Josephine Setsisho (50) died while trying to make ends meet. 

Setsisho, from the Canaan settlement in Gobabis, was struck dead by a metal that flew from the fire when they were burning scraps they collected to sell to recycling companies.

Her unemployed husband Gabriel Enstant, in pursuit of self-sustenance, collects metals from the dumping site, cleans and prepares them for selling.

That fateful morning, he went to the dumpsite and collected some metals, which he brought home.

 With his wife, he started with the cleaning process, which involves burning to remove the unwanted parts. 

Unfortunately, some metals that were collected and burned were suspected to be an airbag container that exploded.

A sharp metal struck his wife, who was next to the fire, on the neck, killing her instantly.

She was with her three-year-old son, who was also seriously injured in the right eye. 

He was rushed to the Gobabis State Hospital for treatment and immediately transferred to Windhoek for further treatment.

Deputy Commissioner and head of the criminal investigations Division Chrispin Kalimbula confirmed the incident at the scene on Monday.

He used the opportunity to send a warning to the public to avoid collecting unknown objects – and even worse, burning them.

He said police will launch an awareness campaign across the region to ensure that people stay away from such practices for their safety.

The deceased’s next of kin have been informed about the incident.

 Police investigations into the matter continue.

*Julia Kamarenga is an information officer in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Omaheke region.