Three Die of Cold

Luqman Cloete

9 June 2011

Three cold-related deaths were reported at Keetmanshoop following an intense cold front sweeping through the southern parts of Namibia over the past few days.

A married couple in their sixties were found dead in an old minibus they had used as a home in the backyard of a house in the Tseiblaagte residential area.

It is believed that they had died of exposure.

The deceased couple were identified as Adam and Sara Fredericks. Their bodies, only covered with a thin blanket, were found huddled together in the old minibus at around 12h00 by a neighbour who alerted the Police.

The couple were leasing the backyard space for N$50 a month, The Namibian was informed.

In a separate incident, a man was found dead on the pavement in the town’s Tseiblaagte residential area on Monday morning. He is also believed to have died because of the cold.

Confirming the deaths yesterday, Police Commissioner Josephat Abel said no foul play was suspected.

“These are cold-related deaths, but an autopsy would be carried out to determine the real cause of the deaths,” he added.

Weather forecaster Olga Tjiueza of the Meteorological Service yesterday reported that daytime temperatures will start recovering today in southern Namibia.

But she said cold and partly cloudy weather conditions will still prevail.

Tjiueza said snow fell at some southern towns including Aroab and Aranos while light showers were also reported in the South over the past few days.

AllAfrica – All the Time