Police accused of ‘cover-up’ in governor’s fatal accident
The glaring omission of a fatal road accident involving new Otjozondjupa governor John //Khamuseb from the latest national police crime report has sparked accusations of a cover-up by the police to protect the politician.
The tragic incident, which occurred last Thursday, claimed the life of 22-year-old Divine Adriane Alexis Philander, who was allegedly struck while jogging along the Gross Barmen road near Ekunde 6 outside Okahandja.
Despite including several incidents of suspected reckless and negligent driving, including a crash on Queen Sophia gravel road near Otjiwarongo, where passengers in a Mazda single cab sustained injuries, the police crime report released last Sunday made no mention of the governor’s accident.
The same report also referenced an accident on the Grootfontein–Tsumeb road on Friday night, in which a vehicle rolled multiple times after the driver lost control, injuring nine occupants.
According to One Africa TV, an initial police report stated that on 10 April, //Khamuseb, while driving his official state vehicle, allegedly struck Philander with the vehicle’s mirror as she attempted to cross the road.
Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, yesterday said she would enquire internally about the omission.
“I will ask my colleagues why it was not in the police crime report, but in the meantime, do send me an email about your enquiries,” she said.
Accident
Philander’s mother, Rochelle Farrah Gaes, confirmed that the accident was not a hit-and-run.
“//Khamuseb stayed at the scene until the ambulance arrived,” she said. “He called the next day to check on her condition and did express his sympathies,” Gaes added tearfully.
Philander was initially treated at Okahandja State Hospital before being transferred to Windhoek, where she succumbed to her injuries on Monday.
The incident has triggered outrage in the Okahandja community, with residents demanding accountability and transparency.
“This happened on Thursday and nothing was said. The accidents that happened on Friday were reported. Why not this one?” a frustrated resident said.
Both the community and Philander’s family are calling on the Namibian Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The tragic incident, which occurred last Thursday, claimed the life of 22-year-old Divine Adriane Alexis Philander, who was allegedly struck while jogging along the Gross Barmen road near Ekunde 6 outside Okahandja.
Despite including several incidents of suspected reckless and negligent driving, including a crash on Queen Sophia gravel road near Otjiwarongo, where passengers in a Mazda single cab sustained injuries, the police crime report released last Sunday made no mention of the governor’s accident.
The same report also referenced an accident on the Grootfontein–Tsumeb road on Friday night, in which a vehicle rolled multiple times after the driver lost control, injuring nine occupants.
According to One Africa TV, an initial police report stated that on 10 April, //Khamuseb, while driving his official state vehicle, allegedly struck Philander with the vehicle’s mirror as she attempted to cross the road.
Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, yesterday said she would enquire internally about the omission.
“I will ask my colleagues why it was not in the police crime report, but in the meantime, do send me an email about your enquiries,” she said.
Accident
Philander’s mother, Rochelle Farrah Gaes, confirmed that the accident was not a hit-and-run.
“//Khamuseb stayed at the scene until the ambulance arrived,” she said. “He called the next day to check on her condition and did express his sympathies,” Gaes added tearfully.
Philander was initially treated at Okahandja State Hospital before being transferred to Windhoek, where she succumbed to her injuries on Monday.
The incident has triggered outrage in the Okahandja community, with residents demanding accountability and transparency.
“This happened on Thursday and nothing was said. The accidents that happened on Friday were reported. Why not this one?” a frustrated resident said.
Both the community and Philander’s family are calling on the Namibian Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
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