Lahja Nashuuta

Mariental – The Jagger family is reeling from tragedy after two sisters, Diana Jagger and Roselda Higoam, lost their lives in Saturday’s horrific road accident near Mariental, leaving a total of seven children – now all orphans. The deceased sisters’ father, Bereht Jagger, now left to care for the surviving children, lost his wife six years ago. The sisters were among the 16 fatalities of the accident, which also claimed 12 lives of Namibian Correctional Service members and two police officers. It is alleged that Diana, who was pregnant with her third set of twin sons, was being transported to the hospital in a police vehicle when it collided with the NCS bus. Her sister Roselda accompanied her.

The accident occurred around 07h00 on the B1 road, about 10 kilometres towards Kalkrand. It involved a police van carrying six passengers, including four officers, and an NCS bus transporting 13 officers. 

The sisters died instantly in the head-on collision.

Diana leaves behind five children, including a set of twins and a son, while Roselda is survived by two children. The sudden loss has left the family devastated and financially strained.

Their grieving father described the loss as unbearable.

“I lost my wife in 2019, and now both my daughters and the unborn babies are gone. I feel completely alone. I am asking for help to bury them, because I cannot do it on my own,” he said.

According to the family, Diana had suffered an epileptic seizure at home shortly before the crash. With no ambulance driver available, they turned to the police for help. Diana and her relatives were transported in a police van but tragically never reached the hospital.

“Later we were told that our sister was among those who died in the accident. It broke us completely,” said her sister, Queen Jagger, in tears.

Friends and neighbours remembered the sisters as loving mothers who brought warmth to their community. Diana was especially praised for her devotion to her family and active involvement in local initiatives.

Hardap governor Riaan McNab and his staff visited the Jagger family at the Withuis informal settlement outside Mariental, where the sisters had lived with their children, to pay respects and offer support. He also conveyed condolences on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

“We are doing everything we can to stand with the affected families. The entire town is in shock, and we have paused some activities in solidarity with them,” McNab told New Era.

Meanwhile, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has assured affected families of funeral and medical support. Chief executive Rosalia Martins-Hausiku urged relatives to approach their nearest service centre for assistance.

The deaths of Diana and Roselda form part of a larger tragedy that claimed 14 lives in total, plunging Mariental and the wider Hardap region into mourning. For their father, however, the loss cuts deeper than words can express.

“I am very hurt, but I thank God for the blessing of these children and the time we shared with them. I just want to bury them with dignity,” he said.

The Namibian Correctional Services (NCS) in Mariental held a solemn morning devotion yesterday in remembrance of staff members who lost their lives in the accident.

The prayer service took place at the Mariental Correctional Facility, where colleagues, family members, and community leaders gathered to honour the fallen officers. The atmosphere was marked by grief, but also solidarity as speakers urged strength and unity in the face of loss.

The event was attended by representatives from the Office of the Governor, the Hardap Regional Council, and the Mariental Municipality. Local leaders expressed condolences to bereaved families and praised the dedication of the officers who died in the line of duty.

Cherien Shanley Kock, Mayor of Mariental, emphasised that the tragedy has not only shaken the Correctional Service family but the entire Hardap community. “I encourage the public to continue offering support to the affected families as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest,” she said.

Officials were encouraged to seek counselling offered at the facility by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

The memorial service is set to take place on Wednesday.

lnashuuta@nepc.com.na