News Africa Extended

News Africa Extended

Otjiwarongo bus crash claims 3 lives

Posted: 03 Sep 2016 04:32 AM PDT

Three people died when a passenger bus and a mini delivery truck collided head-on outside Otjiwarongo in northern Namibia.

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Otjiwarongo – Three people died in the early hours of Saturday morning when a passenger bus and a mini delivery truck collided head-on outside Otjiwarongo in northern Namibia.

Both vehicles burst into flames. The accident occurred 5km south of Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region.

The three dead are yet to be identified, as two of them in the Iveco passenger bus were burned beyond recognition. Twelve other people, including the drivers of both vehicles, sustained slight to serious injuries and were taken to the Otjiwarongo Hospital shortly after the accident.

A 37-year-old man was transferred to the Katutura Intermediate Hospital in a critical condition. The accident victims were aged between four and 53.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) regional spokesman Warrant Officer Maureen Mbeha said the accident occurred at shortly after midnight. The mini delivery truck belonged to FP du Toit Transport. The truck was driving from the direction of Otjiwarongo towards Okahandja, while the Iveco bus was headed in the opposite direction.

Mbeha said the mini truck had two occupants – a 34-year-old driver and his 35-year-old male passenger who died on the spot. The bus had 13 occupants including its 41-year-old driver.

It is alleged one of the vehicles attempted to overtake on a solid line. A case of culpable homicide had been opened at the Otjiwarongo police station, she said.

ANA-NAMPA

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Mugabe returns home amid rumours of ill health

Posted: 03 Sep 2016 02:27 AM PDT

Robert Mugabe arrived back in Zimbabwe following intense rumours that he was gravely ill and had sought medical help in Dubai.

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Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrived at the capital's main airport from abroad on Saturday, according to a Reuters witness, following intense rumours that he was gravely ill and had sought medical help in Dubai.

Mugabe, 92 and Africa's oldest leader, looked jovial as he disembarked in the company of security aides.

“I had gone on a family matter to Dubai concerning one of my children,” he told reporters in the local Shona language, without giving details.

“Yes, I was dead, it's true I was dead. I resurrected as I always do. Once I get back to my country I am real,” Mugabe added tongue-in-cheek in English, referring to speculation on some online news websites that he had succumbed to illness.

Reports that Mugabe's health is declining have become common but he has often referred to himself as “fit as a fiddle.”

Mugabe rejects accusations by his political opponents that he has brought one of Africa's most promising economies to its knees since coming to power at independence from Britain in 1980.

Zimbabwe is struggling to pay salaries to soldiers, police and other public workers, fuelling political tensions including within his ruling ZANU-PF party.

Reuters

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