WARNING NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS. Five people among them children and a pregnant woman died a horrible fire death.

WARNING NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS

Five members including a pregnant woman of one family perished in an inferno after their kambashu ( shack ) caught fire. The fire broke out around four this morning, killing only but one member of the family who escaped with serious burns all over her body. The police had the grim task to remove the charred bodies from the scene for identification as all burnt beyond recognition. All five bodies were in one room and by the looks of it was overpowered by the flames as they were all in bed. Charred remains of the pets were also found among the debris. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but an open flame is not excluded as this part of town has no basic services like running water or electricity. The area Havana Informal settlement west of Windhoek is home to thousands of destitute that live from day to day, while most are unemployed. Although the Windhoek Fire Brigade responded within minutes after the call was received they could not prevented the fatalities as the area is densely populated by the squatters who erect their houses with any building material they can lay their hands on, ranging from plastic bags, carton boxes, pieces of wood and even scrap iron. Despite numerous calls on the mostly illegal squatters they ignore warnings from the city council as well as councilors and constituency leaders not to build and stay there as the area is not developed and lack basic needs like a proper infrastructure.

members of the police gather
the remains of the deceased.

 

one of the bodies still in bed when the fire
engulfed their kambashu

all the victims were still in bed when their shack
was destroyed by the fire

some smoldering remains with the
police removing the bodies from the
scene.

some onlookers and family members only stared
at the scene. 

some of the remains moved to the
police's mortuary van.

Fire fighters exhausted after putting out the
flames.

still combing the scene looking for any evidence.

Veld fires specially in the dark always offers good photo opportunities, but that is the only thing good I can say about that.

Veld fires remain a concern for both town councils and farmers alike as fires pose a danger to residential areas in and around towns, while it destroys valuable grazing for farmers. Apart from destroying grazing,  infrastructures like fencing, pipelines and cattle posts are also at risk. Last night fire fighters from the Windhoek City had their hands full after a piece of land on the western parts of Windhoek was set alight by an unknown person. Although it was not a threat to any property firefighters kept a close eye to ensure the fire doesn't run out of control and could become a threat. 

COPPS 94.1 Jeep keeping an eye on the situation while
informing the Kosmos 94.1 listeners about the
day to day activities of the Windhoek emergency services 

Spectacular and this is where it stays.

pictures: lotteringnews
Camera" SAMSUNG galaxy S2

Grim week for Namibia as no less than 20 people died due to unnatural causes.

Grim week for Namibia as no less than twenty people died due to unnatural causes. Last night shortly before 20h00 reports came of a quarrel between between a man and a women ( allegedly under the influence ) on the Western Bypass on the outskirts of Windhoek. When COPPS 94.1 team arrived at the scene shortly after 20h00 the woman was already dead after she was struck by a minibus. According to eyewitnesses the woman jumped out of a vehicle and landed up in front of the bus, killing her instantly. The case is still under investigation and her name will be made known in due course. 

picture
lotteringnews 

5 behind bars after caught red handed with stolen meat.

5 suspects among them a woman were arrested late this week by the Namibian Police's Stock Theft Unit after found in possession of a gemsbok ( oryx ) carcass. The police acted after received some information and a tip off from members of the public. This again is clear proof that the publics involvement is essential in fighting crime in Namibia. Many farmers and game reserves loose millions of dollars annually at the hands of poachers who kill indiscriminately. The Stock Theft unit and anti poaching unit indicated they will leave no stone unturned to ensure who ever is behind this meat syndicates will be tracked and hunted like they hunt animals.

some of the meat already processed when police
bust the syndicate in their house in Katutura 

the vehicle used in transporting the meat from an
unknown place.

cuffed,,,hopefully the court will
deny them bail,,and remove them from society
and from the very same nature thy destroy

two of the three dogs used in hunting the
oryx tied to a piece of old furniture without any
water or food. The poachers should be tied to a tree without
any food or water.

Pictures
SAMSUNG galaxy S2

A black week for Namibia as five people burnt beyond recognition after their shack caught fire during the early morning hours of Saturday.

Five people of one family perished in a shack fire in the Windhoek's Havana Informal settlement. The fire started around four this morning, and only one member could escaped the inferno. She is currently in hospital with severe burns over most parts of her body. The cause is still unknown and although the Windhoek Emergency Services reacted swiftly the flames engulfed the whole kambashu ( shack ) in no time. The five charred bodies were still in their bed in one single room when the flames overpowered them. Bystanders only looked in shock as police removed the remains from the scene. Investigations continue, and the possibility of an open flame is not excluded. Their names, gender and ages will only released once they are identified by relatives. 

the only remains of the kambashu where
five the family perished

City Police, Nampol and members
of the Windhoek Emergency services
comb through the debris for clues 

bystanders stand in awe of their neighbors
who perished in the flames 

while the sun rise in the east for a new day, a family
try to come to grips on their loss.

pictures: lotteringnews
camera: SAMSUNG galaxy S2

Six people among them a pregnant woman badly charred in shack fire in Windhoek early this morning

five people charred beyond recognition in shack 

fire in Windhoek's Havana Informal settlement. 

more details and pictures to follow soon.  

Way too many unnatural deaths reported almost daily in Namibia. Most of these could've been prevented. Most of the cases alcohol played a role.

COPPS 94.1 an initiative between Kosmos 94.1 and 

the Windhoek City Police again saw it's fair share 

of crime during Friday's 27 July's edition. The night kicked off 

with a fatal accident on the Western Bypass where a 

women died on the spot, in a separate incident a man was 

stabbed at a bar after a quarrel, while Windhoek 

Emergency services apart from putting out veld fires, 

attended to several cases of assault. 

More on this plus pictures will posted during the 

day. 

Third body found north of Swakopmund after a boat sank with seven men onboard late yesterday afternoon. pic

   The Atlantic ocean gave back the third victim of last night's sea drama north of Swakopmund leaving rescue workers to search for another three who are still missing. The strong current combined with rough seas and strong wind at times makes the operation more difficult. The wreck of the Dan Jose was also washed ashore this morning. The owner Danie Kloppers was one of the firts two bodies washed ashore. 

coastal area just north of
Swakopmund.
Picture courtesy Expedite Aviation Tumeb. 

British High Commissioner to Namibia tongue in the cheek reaction to her host countries athletes at the Olympics in the UK

The 2012 Olympics have commenced in the United Kingdom. The games, described as the biggest sporting event on the globe, will see thousands of athletes from almost 200 countries taking part for the highest top honors, which is the much sought-after Olympic Gold medal. 

Six drowned of the coast of Swakopmund after the skipper of the boat allegedly experienced technical problems, resulting the boat to take on water and capsized leaving 6 dead.

The coastal town of Swakomund was struck with tragedy late yesterday afternoon after a ski boat run into trouble and sank, taking at least 6 of her 7 passengers with her. According to sources the only survivor swam almost a mile to shore to seek assistance, but this effort was in vein as 6 of his fellow anglers drowned. 

Namibia's young ladies practice for next month Cricket tournament in Botswana. The coach and some players spoke about their aspirations and dreams.

LBW's, bats, nets, centuries that is some of the terminology sportsmen know very well, specially when playing cricket. For many years cricket was described as the gentleman's game, but lately we can add it is a ladies sport. Maybe other countries are used to supporting their women cricketeers but back home it is still a new sport on the pitch. 

Six drown in sea tragedy close to Swakopmund after Ski Boat sank.

A file picture of the ski boat 

that sank late yesterday afternoon close to Mile 4

on the outskirts of Swakopmund. More detail on the 

tragedy later during the day 

picture One Africa TV

Two confirmed drowned and presumably four still missing off the coast of Namibia after a ski boat allegedly started taking on water, causing the "Dan Jose" to go down.

Two drowned among them Danie Klopper skipper of the skiboat "Dan Jose".  Two - presumably four-  are still missing and one swam to safety. This was the scene late this afternoon off the Swakopmund coast after a fishing boat went down below the surface of the cold Atlantic Ocean  just north of Mile 4 camping site. The reason still unclear as the dark cold conditions hampers the rescue operations. According to information given to lotteringnews several men on various rescue crafts among them canoes and even a jet ski rushed to the scene, while a boat from Walvis bay assisted in the search and rescue operation.  Reports are that the only survivor could get hold of a life jacket and swam to shore to seek help, but it was too late as some of the bodies washed out on the beach. More information will be posted as I get more reliable information from the authorities.. 

Fishing vessel in distress just north of Swakopmund

The Namib Times a coastal news paper just reported on a fishing vessel that capsized just north of Mile 4 on the outskirts of Swakopmund. Namib Times reported that by late this afternoon several men were still in the cold Atlantic, and the town's emergency services are busy with rescue operations. As the story unfold, lotteringnews and the Namib Times will keep you posted.

file footage
picture courtesy
Expedite Aviation
Tsumeb

Namport set the record straight after media houses reported that Namport's new container terminal are behind schedule.

Police arrested 5 suspects including a woman found with stolen meat. Second bust this week after another group was arrested earlier this week in Katutura. More to follow soon.

picture lotteringnews
camera Samsung Galaxy S2

Marfa Texas, had the honor to spent a few days during 2010 in that town. Reminds me of Namibia.

Had the privilege to paid a second 

visit to the USA in 2010. Working on a documentary 

on food security and environment I had the 

the chance to work in places like 

Texas,  Washington and the Gulf 

of Mexico three months after 

the BP oil spill. I took a boat trip to visit 

some of the islands ( or Bayous ) as they call it, to 

experience the effect of the oil on the environment. 

Marfa was one of those towns

where I met ranchers as they call themselves, we call them 

farmers or in this case cattle farmers. This 

experience was made possible by the 

USA cultural centre and USA embassy in Namibia. 

Grim Reaper yielded more souls in the Land of the Brave.....

And so the Grim Reaper keep himself busy reaping more valuable people from our society. Monday three people ( among them two Italian nationals ) died a gruesome death after their 4x4 was wrecked by a truck, All three perished on the scene. The accident took place just south of Otjiwarongo on the main road from Okahandja. 

This morning one person died after a head on collision between a minivan and a minibus. The accident happened close to Nonidas on the B2 Route from the coastal town of Swakopmund towards Usakos. The deceased's name will be made known once his relatives are informed. 

Police scratching heads after a man died yet another horrible death after the white sedan he was the only occupant rammed into a bridge this morning. It took paramedics from the Windhoek Emergency services more than an hour to remove his body from the wreck, His name known to lotteringnews is withheld until further notice. The Namibian Police is busy with investigations into the causes of the accidents.  The accident took place on the Western Bypass close to Khomasdal.

This carnage on the roads brought the preliminary death toll to almost 40 for July 2012. 

the wrecks of the toyota bus and
minivan 

one person died in hospital in Swakopmund.
This route between Swakopmund and Usakos
is notorious for it's many fatalities.

the wreck of a white sedan after it
rammed into a pillar of one of the bridges
connecting Windhoek with the
Western Suburbs 

The only occupant died on the scene.

Pictures contributed by
Feo von Francois
and members of lotteringnews.

No time to rest for Grim reaper as two more died on the roads today Bringing the toll to almost 40 for July 2012.

Two more confirmed deaths 

on our roads. 

Are Namibian roads safe to use? 

or are you scared making use of our road 

networks. 

Please feel free to comment or share ideas,  

 this becomes a national issue. 

an Exclusive with the Namibian Environmental Commissioner on the Biodiversity workshop in Namibia.

The Governments's commitment towards sustainable development is evident in various activities like workshops, training and consultative meetings. Namibia's first National Biodiversity Strategy Action plan - NB SAP - was held more than 10 years ago, and the decisions taken then was internationally recognized as one of the most innovative. 

Italian hunters and their cook died on Namibian Roads in horrific accident when their all wheel drive collided with a truck.

The death toll on Namibian roads keep skyrocketing as three tourists died a horrible death Monday after their all wheel drive vehicle ran into a truck. According to information the trio was underway to the Caprivi region when the accident occurred close to Otjiwarongo. Two of the deceased are Italian citizens. One of the deceased Roberto Colcelinni was a partner in the Salambala Conservancy area. investigations into the accident are underway. The names of the other two deceased will be made known once their relatives are informed. 

Grim Reaper collected another three this morning.

Not much information regarding this scene. 

According to sources a truck ran over a 

4x4. Three people died in the accident. Although 

still unconfirmed about the figure, this brings 

the total deaths on our roads for July 

to 37 fatalities. The accident happened 

on the stretch between 

Okahandja and Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa 

region.

Pictures Courtesy
Robbert Bekker 

More credits to be bestowed on Namibian Health Ministry's nurses.

Namibian Nurses and other health professionals 

are frequent in the media due to one or another

issue. According to the public 

the health professionals do not do what 

they suppose to do, or are rude. How would you act 

if you are trying attending to attend to a 

patient critically stabbed during a brawl 

and the victim's family is all over you. This is only 

one of the the many challenges 

nurses face on an almost daily base 

in health facilities. 

Namibian Environment ministry to take stock of past ten years on our Biodiversity strategy while the crystal ball will be consulted for the next ten years.

Since Namibia's independence in 1990 government has emphasized the importance of conservation and inclusive tourism. The intertwining of environmental and developmental issues is pivotal for all Namibians as this means economic growth. The government is of the stance that once good resource management kicks in, ownership of natural resources will benefit all those involved.

Education remains a priority for Namibian Government. However for many, specially those in rural areas, quality pre primary education is not an option as many rural areas have to improvise to look after youngsters preparing them for primary, and eventually for secondary education.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is responsible for the improvement and equitable access to early Childhood programs in Namibia. In order to achieve this the ministry constructed a basic Kindergarten consisting of one classroom and ablution facilities in Groot Aub south of Windhoek.

Another death on Namibia roads this afternoon after a man died after his vehicle left the road and overturned. According to West Coast safety Initiative the man died in hospital. His name will be released once his relatives are informed.

archive picture of the
road between Swakopmund and
Walvis bay.
Pic Courtesy Expedite Aviation
Tsumeb. 

Swazi and Namibian leaders to meet this week in Namibia.

Windhoek will be a buzz this week with the state visit of the Swazi king. Windhoek - capitol of Namibia- was as of this morning draped with the two countries flags announcing the proposed visit. 

courtesy The Namibian 

Swazi and Namibia flags draped along
most prominent routes in Windhoek.
Background the multi million
dollar Independence Memorial Museum,

Flags in front of the most famous
landmark in Windhoek,
the "Christus Kirche"

Pictures: lotteringnews
camera
SAMSUNG Galaxy S2

Butcher's list keep on rising as more people die on Namibian Roads,

According to Motor Vehicle Accident Fund 

34 people died during the first 

19 days of July on our national roads. 

This equals the total loss of the whole of June. 

More to follow soon. 

a scene of the accident in Otjimuise
this weekend, when a bakkie and a minibus
collided injuring a pedestrian
serious and six passengers sustained
slight injuries.

COPPS 94.1 experienced first hand the lives and activities of the Windhoek City Police and Emergency Services as accidents, assaults and arson was at the order of the night of 20 July.

COPPS 94.1 a joint venture between the Private Commercial radio station Kosmos 94.1 and the Windhoek City Police dished up a variety of accidents, incidents and even arson during the night of 20 July. COPSS 94.1 started of with an accident between a bakkie en a minibus, and the only seriously injured was a pedestrian who happened to be between the two vehicles. Both Drivers were tested for alcohol, and both tested positive with the one driver exceeding the limit with .61 %. Several drivers were fined ranging from driving without license, no safety belt, or under the influence. Several drivers were also locked up, and will remain in the holding cells till Monday for outstanding summonses. 

Informal drinking houses ( shebeens) remains a big concern not only for the authorities but the whole society are negatively influenced. Many Shebeen owners claim they earn a living, while creating employment. My opinion is of what wealth do they create if the majority of their clients cant even afford to pay their children's school fees, or barely cloth their families. Their clients spent their last penny to buy liquor, dumping them even further in poverty. 

While on the topic of children, it is scary and heartbreaking to see how many youngsters , specially girls hang around the informal drinking houses, for what reason? Are they not suppose to be at home? where are the parents? if they get raped, murdered or assaulted it is the very same parents running around blaming the police for NOT doing their jobs. Parents should be named and shamed for not looking after their youngsters. And most of these girls hanging around shebeens are dressed like prostitutes. some even as young as 14 to 15 years old. 

A case of suspected arson was also reported after a man set his ex girlfriends house on fire. The Windhoek Emergncy Services and Fire Brigade was within minutes ate the scene and prevented the fire from sperading to adjacent rooms in the house. The tenants renting some rooms in the house also played a major role by fighting the fire with buckets of water and sand. All her belongings were destroyed. The suspect was late last night still at large.

All Pictures taken by
lotteringnews
Camera Samsung GalaxyS2

It is a national issue says RDP on the delayed Supreme Court verdict of the 2009 National assembly elections.

Peaceful demonstrations are a regular sight in Namibia as we call ourselves a peaceful nation, and rather opt for dialogue to seek solutions. It is now almost an entire week since the Rally for Democracy and Progress started with a peaceful demonstration to force the Supreme Court to make public the verdict of the 2009 National Assembly Elections. 

UNFPA donated almost a 100 thousand dollar medical equipment during 2012 World Population celebrations in Swakopmund

World population day is an initiative from the UNFPA and celebrated across the globe. UNFPA is a United Nations organization that works on population and development issues with the emphasis on reproductive health and gender equality. Namibia is no exception as the UNFPA works hand in hand with the health Ministry regarding it's mandate, reproductive health and gender equality. 

Grim reaper still feast on Namibian Roads. By looking at those reckless drivers sharing the roads, it is understandable why our death toll keeps on rising.

I fail to understand by looking at the amount of fatalities reported daily on our roads how this is possible. As per Motor Vehicle Accident Fund website this afternoon 25 people perished so far for July alone on our national roads. This bring the amount YTD to 272. 

According to the authorities 270-thousand vehicles are registered in the country by end 2011, making it most likely one of the highest per capita in the world. But the following pictures supplied to lotteringnews will give one an indication on why we cant keep deaths of our roads. Reckless drivers like the Windhoek registered vehicle who blatantly ignore road safety regulations. While on the topic 233 people were injured this month in 135 accidents. YTD 1648 accidents claimed 272 people and 2828 were injured ranging from critical to minor injuries. 

The two pics underneath show exactly why

Namibian Authorities will never be able 

to contain,  let alone decrease 

road facilities. Drivers like this with NO

integrity nor respect for others will 

keep on chasing fatalities.

N 135 335 W taken
18/7/2012 15h12
between Swakopmund and
Walvisbay

the information board "warning high risk area"
seems to be a waste, or perhaps the driver can't read.
this is the same vehicle as above picture.

another accident when an import enroute
from Walvis Bay to one or another country
in the SADC region ( most likely Botswana ) lost control
and overturned his vehicle. This man
was treated by ISOS ,wonder who will
pay the bill for the emergency call out? 

Fresh from the UK,,on it's roof in the Namib.
I used that same road the past two days, and the fact that these
guys drive mostly through the night is reason for concern,


All Pics Courtesy
West Coast Safety Initiative.