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Drownings concern Omusati

Home National Drownings concern Omusati

Inhabitants of the Omusati region are concerned about the high number of children and pensioners who have died as a result of drownings in recent weeks. 

At least 15 people have drowned in the region this year alone.

On Monday at Ombafi, three Angolan-born children between the ages of 13 and 15 drowned while they were catching fish in a dam. 

According to regional police commander Titus Shikongo, it is alleged that the children were together with guardians who were bathing in the same dam.

 A group of 12 family members who are all Angolan nationals from Calueque reportedly came illegally into Namibia on Friday, particularly to cultivate a mahangu field at Ombafi with the assistance of a family member who is living in that village, he added. 

Last Thursday at Ondanta village, a mother and her two children drowned while crossing an open plain which was full of water, and accidentally fell into a well. 

Also last week, three people, including a 78-year-old male pensioner, drowned while trying to cross a plain of water, whereas two boys also drowned while they were playing in a well. 

When New Era visited the scene at Ombafi, residents who are living next to the dam said this is not the first time that people have drowned in the area. 

Kondjeni Immanuel, who is a resident of Ombafi, said in recent years, eight people have drowned in the same dam while catching fish. 

“We are living in fear since the dam is close to shebeens, where kids are also at the risk of drowning since this dam does not have a fence for safety,” he added. 

Immanuel is, therefore, requesting the authorities to put up a fence around the dam for sufficient protection. 

Rosinda Mwanyangapo, who is a secretary at Ombafi, said the dam is very deep and very risky for residents. 

She said as recently as 2020, one man fell in the dam because he was under the influence of alcohol. 

Commissioner Shikongo has called on the community not to leave minor children outside homes unattended, especially this time of the season, as many floodplains are filled with water in many parts of the region. 

The community is thus advised to caution children against playing near wells or swimming in floodplains as that can endanger their lives. 

“Community members are further cautioned to desist from crossing water pans at night and while they are under the influence of alcohol,” said Shikongo. 

He added that parents should educate their kids not to play in water after school or whenever they are looking after animals.

fhamalwa@nepc.com.na