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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6843 TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2020 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
African pangolin linked to Coronavirus outbreak in China
One of the men who died at sewerage plant hailed a hero One of the men who died at the Walvis Bay sewerage works in Walvis Bay on Thursday is hailed a hero for having sacrificed his life in an attempt to save the life of another. All indications are that Mr Willem Neshuku entered a sewerage pump station on Thursday at around 13:30 to try and rescue a municipal worker, Mr Mathias Amadhila who was possibly overcome by sewer gas, lost consciousness and then fell into the water. According to a police report Neshuku was working at another station at the sewerage works when a municipal employee called him to come and assist as a colleague was unconscious in the sewer pump station and was floating in the water. Without hesitation Neshuku ran to the pump station and ran down the flight of stairs to try and rescue the stricken Amadhila. It is suspected Neshuku was also overcome by the sewer gas and he too fell into the water. Emergency services were called. The bodies of Neshuku and Amadhila was retrieved from the water shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, the mayor of Walvis Bay, Alderman Immanuel Wilfried offered his con-
dolences to the bereaved families and friends of the deceased and in a statement said more information on the incident is awaited.
At first it was thought to have transferred from animal to human through a bat. Then the prime suspect was a cobra snake. Ultimately, scientists now believe that the new Coronavirus which has hit central China and over 25 countries worldwide made its crossing from animal to human infection via the African pangolin. The African pangolin is the world’s most trafficked wild animal and as a result numbers are under pressure throughout its habitat, including Namibia where people have been arrested and prosecuted for smuggling pangolin. There are known cases in Walvis Bay where both Namibians and Chinese nationals were arrested and prosecuted for pangolin smuggling. Its scales are much sought after in China where it is used in traditional medicines. On many Chinese people it is dawning now that the use of wild animal products for traditional medicines is nothing more than the marketing and cunning of those who makes the profits selling it. Like pangolin, rhino horn, snakes, shark fin, swallows nests and many other wild species, there is no scientific basis to support any healing powers.
Arrested for Mandrax posession at Henties Bay Eileen van der Schyff
Mathias Amadhile
A 24-year-old man was arrested for having Mandrax pills in his possession at the Omdel Location Hentiesbay on Friday. Reginald Hendricks was found in possession of 10 Mandrax tablets valued at N$1 200. Hendricks made a first appearance on drug-related charges yesterday in the magistrate's court at Swakopmund.
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