Grenade event in Erongo, Walvis Bay area, Namibia on Fri 16th December 2022

THE explosion control unit of the Namibian Police destroyed ammunition discovered at the former shooting range of the South African apartheid army behind Dune 7 on Friday. Unexploded ordnance still lurks on the outskirts of Walvis Bay, which previously hosted one of the biggest military bases of the South African apartheid regime. Since the beginning of November, the police have discovered three 60 mm mortar bombs and two 90mm projecttiles, all high explosives and live. The ammunition is believed to have been buried by the South African regime before the reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia in 1994. The police also found 1 210 rounds of 7,62 mm bullets, as well 12mm and 5,56 mm rounds ofammunition, discovered by construction companies mining sand and gypsum in the area. Chief inspector Martha Nghipandulwa, who is leading the clearing team, said the area is heavily contaminated with unexploded ordnance. “We have detected various metals that have exploded already. We cannot overrule that they exploded during that time, or when the trucks were busy (mining sand), because some can explode and the truck driver would think it's just the truck that is making noise,” she said. The team has also found boxes of hand grenades buried in the area, Nghipandulwa said. The discovery was made during a clearing operation on 3 700 hectares of Walvis Bay municipal land earmarked for heavy industrial activities. Walvis Bay town planning officer Ephraim Nambahu said mining activities have been halted until the area is cleared. Erongo police commander Nikolaus Kupembona has advised the government and private institutions to consult with the police before embarking on any projects around Walvis Bay, especially on virgin land. “The government or whoever has to do projects like schools and roads, before they undertake such projects they should involve the police to ensure that those areas are cleared of any explosive devices,” he said. He also warned construction companies to avoid stealing sand in the area at night.