A grieving father of one of the five people who died in a horrific car accident near Kongola, Zambezi region last week, has approached the High Court to fight against his daughter being buried in a mass grave.
Shelton Chainda, father to Twambo Chainda (16), claims his wishes to have his daughter buried at Mkanga village have been ignored by the Nzundamo family (Twambo’s maternal side).
The Nzundamo family plans on having the mass burial today at Mazungendava cemetery.
“As the sole surviving parent of my late daughter, over whom I had custody and control over, and as the sole heir to my late daughter, I have the right to decide where she must be buried,” said Chainda.
Twambo died on 5 January alongside her mother Namangolwa Nzundamo (40), who was a national development advisor at the National Planning Commission (NPC) – and her aunt, who was acting CEO of Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair company (Namdock), Heritha Nankole Muyoba (52)
Another victim was Nekaro Kasiku (12), a sibling of Twambo.
Muyoba’s daughter Amy Manga Sepiso (22) and Nzundamo’s three-year-old son survived the accident.
The accident occurred between Omega 3 and Kongola along the Trans-Caprivi highway.
According to police reports at the time, the rear left tyre of the vehicle in which they were travelling allegedly burst, causing it to overturn and roll several times.
In an urgent application that was filed yesterday, Chainda wants the court to interdict and restraint the Nzundamo family: Patrick Nzundamo – uncle to Namangolwa – and
Alfred Kabala – brother to Namangolwa – from forging ahead with planned burial today at Mazungendava Cemetery in the District of Katima Mulilo.
He further seeks an order that would compel the Nzundamo family to furnish him with the original removal/burial order so he may collect his daughter’s remains as well as her full birth certificate and original postmortem report.
In addition, the court may order that he is to bury his daughter as planned on Friday at Makanga village.
“The first, second and fourth respondents (Patrick, Kabala and the Nzundamo family) have no right in law to decide where my late daughter must be buried, contrary to my wishes. I had joint custody of my late daughter, shared with her late mother,” said Chainda. Chainda says he would not have closure if his daughter would be buried elsewhere, as they were close.
In addition, his family needs to perform cultural rituals on the day of the burial, and he would love to have ease of access to her burial site. The Nzundamo family has indicated their intention to oppose the application.
The court returned at 19h00 last night to deliberate on the matter. In the application, Chainda is represented by Appolos Shimakeleni, while the Nzundamo family are represented by Inonge Mainga.
- mamakali@nepc.com.na