Groot Aub man survives river ordeal, community decries neglect

Groot Aub resident Gerson Gariseb’s life was almost cut short when he was swept away by a river while standing outside his home.

The incident occurred two weeks ago, following the collapse of the bridge between Rehoboth and Windhoek.

Despite narrowly escaping death and being transported to Windhoek for medical attention, rumours quickly spread within the small community that Gariseb (67) succumbed to secondary drowning, though these were later reported to be false.

The Groot Aub community, located over 40 kilometres south-east of Windhoek, was rocked by the incident.

A BRUSH WITH DEATH

Gariseb, who worked as a goat herder at a nearby plot in the area, told The Namibian he thought he was going to die when he was swept away after the riverbank collapsed underneath him.

“I stepped outside to see the river flowing, and suddenly, the ground beneath me gave way. I fell in,” he says.

The Uris river cuts through the settlement, just a stone’s throw from his home, washing away the river bank after the storm hit the area.

Sergeant Calvin Garoeb witnessed Gariseb’s fall into the river and says he acted quickly to save him.

“I saw him fall into the river while I was off duty. I knew I had to act fast,” Garoeb says.

He rushed into the water to Gariseb’s aid, pulling him out before the current could wash him away.

Gariseb was then taken to the Groot Aub clinic before being transferred to Katutura Hospital, where he was hospitalised for a week.

The elderly man recalls how his life flashed before his eyes as he slipped into the river and describes the ordeal as a nightmare come to life.

“I thought that was it, you know. I thought that I was going to die that day. I couldn’t scream for help, water was just filling my lungs and there was nothing to hold onto in the water,” he says.

Although he has since recovered, Gariseb still experiences chest pains from swallowing large amounts of water.

However, his biggest regret is losing a N$300 that was in his pocket during the incident.

“That’s what hurts me the most, my money. I think it was washed away when I fell in,” he says.

Gariseb has since lost his job as a farm worker after he was hospitalised.

He adds that he has been given a second chance at life, adding that he found the news of his death amusing.

LACK OF DEVELOPMENT

Former Windhoek rural constituency councillor Penina Ita says Groot Aub’s lack of proper roads, streetlights, and infrastructure is hindering its development.

“The settlement is on the verge of collapse, there is limited electricity, and stalled development. They cut off water supplies to the majority of people, claiming illegal connections, which is simply not true,” she says.

Ita also criticises the government’s unfulfilled promise of expanding the Windhoek bus service to the area and alleviating the cost of transport for residents who commute between Windhoek and Groot Aub.

“They sold residents the dream of improved transport services, but nothing has happened,” she says.

“Most of these connections were set up through the Khomas Regional Council. The authorities are supposed to serve the people, not deprive them of basic services.”

She also adds that local authorities have failed to address unemployment in the settlement.

“The community is willing to participate in their own development, but they need a facilitator,” she says.

Ita highlights the deteriorating state of streetlights at Groot Aub, stating that most are no longer functional, and urges the local authority to facilitate the process to aid the community in repairing the streetlights themselves.

“We don’t need bureaucracy slowing things down. If procurement is really working for the people, then why are we still in the dark?” she asks.

RUMOuRS OF DEATH

The false rumours surrounding Gariseb’s death even reached the local clinic. Nurse Emma Gomachas says staff were shocked when they heard he had died.

“When he left here, he was fine, he even walked out on his own,” she says.

Groot Aub police inspector Ari Coetzee says authorities are still looking into reports of a local man’s death at Katutura Hospital.

“We are aware of a Groot Aub resident who was transported to Windhoek. However, the Groot Aub police still need to do an inquiry into on whether he has indeed passed away,” she says.