Hardap Resort worker did not die from Covid-19-NWR
By Confidente reporter
FOLLOWING recent reports about the death of Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR) employee Lilungwe Brighton Tembe, who was suspected of having died from Covid-19 last Friday, the Namibia Wildlife Resorts has shot down the rumours published online by a local paper that he did.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Tembe, who was based at the Hardap Resort near Mariental, had sought medical treatment at a local hospital after experiencing flu-like symptoms and breathing difficulties.
The man allegedly collapsed and died shortly after he was taken to an isolation unit following a medical check-up. Speculation soon spread that he could have contracted the disease at the Hardap Resort, as there had been a number of people in quarantine at his place of work.
The resort recently served as place of quarantine for 40 people who came from Europe into Namibia.
NWR previously reported that the resort had been thoroughly disinfected after that group had been cleared of Covid-19 and sent home.
According to a press statement this week by NWR acting managing director Matthias Ngwangwama, the employee who passed away on 15 May was based at its Hardap Resort but certainly did not die from or with Covid-19.
The Health Ministry has also rejected the unsubstantiated claim.
Ngwangwama said, “NWR would like to reiterate that the first group that was isolated at its Hardap resort for more than fourteen days, between 25 March and 9 April 2020, were all released without showing any symptoms of Covid-19.
Mr Tembwe was one of our most friendly and committed employee and was always ready to be of assistance.”
He went on to say that NWR had lost one of its valued staff members and he offered condolences to the deceased man’s family and friends. “They should be consoled in knowing that Brighton, as he was fondly known, will be dearly missed. Before his death, Mr Tembwe had expressed his desire to continue serving our clientele to the best of his abilities. After having distinctively done so for over 11 years, I know he was going to excel for many more years to come.”