By John Muyamba
RUNDU – Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku has urged pedestrians in the region to pay extra attention when crossing roads during the festive season.
Her advice came in the wake of a recent accident wherein a 13-year-old girl was killed when she was hit by a car whilst crossing the road at Ncamagoro village along the Rundu-Grootfontein road.
The driver of a Toyota sedan with a government registration number was driving towards Rundu from the direction of the Mururani checkpoint when he bumped the minor who was crossing the road.
Police say the deceased was Sindimba Rosa Kakuhu, a Grade 5 female learner at Ncamagoro Combined School and a resident of Ncamagoro village.
Ausiku said: “First I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the parents and the school, I know she was a learner at Ncamagoro Combined School.”
Moreover Ausiku urged parents living in villages along the Rundu-Grootfontein road where the accident happened to tell their children to be aware of passing cars and not to play along the road or cross without checking if the road is clear.
“I know it’s the school holidays and our children are back at our houses. As a governor of the region I am appealing to our parents to keep on reminding our children to be careful along the roads since many live along the main roads. They must be careful when crossing roads and make sure they take extra precautions.”
Besides urging cautiousness Governor Ausiku also appealed to institutions responsible for road awareness campaigns not only to concentrate on speeding and drunk driving, but also to focus on pedestrians.
“They must not only focus on accidents but also on making people aware that cars do bump people as well. Educate people also on pedestrian safety,” she said.
“The community also needs to be sensitised on the dangers pedestrians may encounter when using roads, especially the children.”