John Muyamba 

RUNDU- After an intense search of the Kavango River, the Namibian Police’s water wing at Rundu yesterday retrieved the bodies of the two drowned brothers, Kerko Sikongo (9) and Hendrick Wayoya (17).

Sikongo’s body was discovered floating at Rundu beach while Wayova’s was found stuck between reeds under the water at Sauyemwa, where they initially drowned. The boys were reported to have drowned on Saturday at Sauyemwa between 16h00 to 17h00 and the police have since then been searching the river between 08h00 and 17h00 daily.

According to the police, the boys went to the river to collect soft sand. However, the younger boy, Sikongo slipped and fell into the water and the elder boy Wayoya jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue him but failed. Both were taken by the strong current and drowned.

Natalia Kambinda (18), who witnessed the incident, informed the police what happened when they arrived at the scene on Saturday.

“The police water wing, joined by fisheries officials,  have been conducting the search with two boats but only recovered the lifeless bodies today. The intensive search operation has been ongoing since the minors drowned,” said the police acting regional commander, Eino Nambahu.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na