“If he didn’t drop me off, he would still be alive.”
This is what Jakua Katjiruru told The Namibian after flash floods claimed the life of his cousin, Uaavi Kavezepa, in Windhoek on Monday evening.
Kavezepa (33) died after the car he was driving was swept away by flash floods at Hochland Park.
His body was later recovered in the Gammams River.
Katjiruru yesterday said the river’s water level was still low when Kavezepa dropped him off at home, and he assumed it will remain safe on his way back.
“We went to get the car washed in Katutura and Uaavi offered to drop me off when it started raining. He would still be alive if he didn’t drop me off,” he said.
However, shortly after Kavezepa drove off, the water level rose, and his vehicle was swept away by flash floods.
“He had just dropped me off, and everything seemed fine. But within minutes, the water started rising. I got a call from someone saying his car had been carried away,” Katjiruru said.
He described his cousin as a calm, soft and caring person who would go out of his way to help people.
Family spokesperson Selma Kavezepa told The Namibian that Kavezepa called one of his close friends while his car was submerged in the water.
“He called his friend to come and help him, but by the time they located the vehicle, it was already submerged in the water,” she said.
Senior police inspector Silas Shipandeni yesterday said emergency response teams and community members rushed to the scene to help, but by the time they located the vehicle it was already carried away.
‘TAKE WARNINGS SERIOUSLY’
The City of Windhoek has since called on the capital’s residents to take flood warnings seriously after the Namibia Meteorological Service warned the public against thunderstorms, with flash floods expected in March.
Chief forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi has warned that flash floods are expected to affect the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Khomas and Hardap regions.
“The La Nina event creates a low-pressure system over the Southern African Development Community area, which gives dominance to severe and heavy thunderstorms,” he said.
This comes a month after Theodor Volker (87) drowned after escorting his two domestic workers from Auasblick to a bus stop at Olympia when his small car was carried away by floodwaters.
City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya this week told Desert FM the municipality continues to issue safety alerts, but many residents still ignore them.
Amutenya said the city regularly reminds the public to avoid crossing river beds and flooded streets, especially during heavy rains.
However, incidents of motorists driving through dangerous water levels remain common.
“We are constantly educating the public about the dangers of underestimating the depth of floodwaters, yet we still see people taking unnecessary risks,” she said.
Amutenya said some drivers, particularly those with larger vehicles such as SUVs and 4x4s, falsely believe they can safely cross flooded areas.
“This is extremely dangerous, and unfortunately, it has already cost lives,” she said.
Also concerned about the matter, the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund of Namibia has called on motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads as heavy rains continue to affect various parts of the country.
In a statement issued yesterday, MVA Fund chief executive Rosalia Martins-Hausiku warned that wet and slippery roads, along with waterlogged areas and flowing rivers, pose serious dangers to drivers.
“Driving through moving water is highly dangerous and can lead to loss of vehicle control, engine failure or being swept away by strong currents,” she said.
Martins-Hausiku urged motorists to avoid crossing rivers, even when water levels appear low, and to rather turn around and find alternative routes.
The MVA Fund also advised drivers to reduce speed on wet roads, maintain a safe following distance, use headlights in low visibility and stay alert at all times.
“Caution saves lives. Drivers must prioritise safety and avoid unnecessary risks, especially during adverse weather conditions,” Martins-Hausiku said.
Motorists are further reminded to contact the MVA Fund’s toll-free emergency number – 9682 – in the event of a crash to ensure the quick dispatch of emergency services.
