By John Muyamba
RUNDU – The Ukwangali tribal chief Hompa Daniel Sitentu Mpasi yesterday died at Nkurenkuru Health Centre in Kavango West after a long battle with various chronic illnesses. He was 80.
The revered Hompa passed away yesterday morning at about 06h00.
Senior councillor of the Ukwangali Tribal Authority Johannes Kandjimi who confirmed the chief’s demise said for the past three weeks he was receiving treatment at the health facility for different ailments .
“He passed away this morning at 6am, and we are now preparing to take the body to Rundu’s private mortuary. He had been battling with illnesses but in July things got worse and since then he was in and out of hospital.
He was taken to Windhoek, then to Rundu hospital and Nankudu hospital for medical observation and treatment and was transferred to Nkurenkuru hospital where he died today,” Kandjimi said.
Kandjimi said Sitentu had “asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure”.
Kandjimi said the Ukwangali Traditional Authority was preparing a message to inform the people of Ukwangali as well as the nation of the passing away of the chief.
Rundu undertakers have volunteered to offer free funeral services for the late chief. “We will do funeral and burial services for the late Chief Sitentu Mpasi for free, but we are waiting for the family to guide us if they have any special needs,” said Ignatius Weyers, the owner and manager of Rundu Funeral Undertakers.
Hompa Mpasi ruled as chief of the Ukwangali from 1979 until his passing away yesterday, marking the end of his reign of 35 years.
The body of the chief was transported to a private mortuary in Rundu yesterday where it will be kept until his burial.
The family are still to set and confirm the burial date.