Two accidents claimed nine lives on Thursday night near Otjiwarongo. A police statement to the media said the first accident occurred around 23h00 on Thursday 26 March on the Okahandja-Otjiwarongo Road, 35 km from Okahandja. It is alleged that the driver of a Toyota bakkie driving from a southern direction was overtaking a truck and collided head-on with an oncoming combi. Four occupants of the bakkie died on the spot and one upon arrival at the Okahandja hospital. The driver of the combi was alone and died on the spot too. The victims are Shivute Helena (9), Erasu Vehinda (5), Simon Gerhard (67), Fiina Ndeleni Nangombe (22), as well as Albertina Simson (26), who died upon arrival at the hospital. The driver of the combi was Junias Nande (32). The next of kin have been informed. The second accident occurred at around 01h50 on Friday on the Okahandja-Otjiwarongo Road, 40 km from Okahandja. Two vehicles collided head-on. A truck driving from a northern direction and Toyota bakkie driving from the opposite direction into collided. The occupants of the bakkie, a family, of which the father and son, Vilho Amunyela (40), Natangwe Amunyela (10), died on the spot and a baby, Ameni Amunyela (three months old) passed away at the Okahandja hospital. The mother, Elise Mwanyekenge, survived. Their next of kin are informed. The driver and co-driver of the truck sustained slight injuries. Police investigations continue.