Police officers counted 26 people who died from drowning across the Oshana region during the first five months of this year. February and March saw the most deaths, with 16 people losing their lives during these two months. Commissioner Naftal Sakaria leads the local police force and shared these numbers with reporters yesterday. The victims ranged from a six-year-old child to a 65-year-old pensioner. Most drowning cases happened at various water locations throughout the area.
Mukelebai Nasikambo became the most recent victim when he died Saturday at a man-made dam near Oshakati. The 29-year-old man traveled from Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region and worked as a domestic helper at Onawa village. He went fishing with his girlfriend at Omatale Gakatumale dam that afternoon. A fish became stuck inside an empty soda bottle floating on the water's surface. Nasikambo swam out to collect the trapped fish from the container.
The man grew tired from swimming and shouted for someone to rescue him. His girlfriend stood at the water's edge and tried to find people who could help save him. Her efforts came late, and Nasikambo disappeared under the water before anyone could reach him. Special Reserve Force divers pulled his body from the dam later that day. Sakaria warned community members to stay away from deep water areas to prevent more tragic deaths.
Mukelebai Nasikambo became the most recent victim when he died Saturday at a man-made dam near Oshakati. The 29-year-old man traveled from Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region and worked as a domestic helper at Onawa village. He went fishing with his girlfriend at Omatale Gakatumale dam that afternoon. A fish became stuck inside an empty soda bottle floating on the water's surface. Nasikambo swam out to collect the trapped fish from the container.
The man grew tired from swimming and shouted for someone to rescue him. His girlfriend stood at the water's edge and tried to find people who could help save him. Her efforts came late, and Nasikambo disappeared under the water before anyone could reach him. Special Reserve Force divers pulled his body from the dam later that day. Sakaria warned community members to stay away from deep water areas to prevent more tragic deaths.
