RUNDU – The Namibian Police’s Kavango East acting regional commander Bonifatius Kanyetu has suggested that the Roads Authority puts up signs at common pedestrian crossing points, especially where there are businesses and people on both sides of the national roads.

He said this will help guide drivers to reduce speed and be wary of pedestrians at certain points.

Kanyetu’s suggestion comes after a 47-year-old man was run over by a vehicle on Tuesday evening at 19h30 in the Rumwemwe area of the Shankara village along the Trans-Caprivi Highway, also known as the B8 highway in the Ndonga Linena constituency in the Kavango East region. 

The pedestrian was bumped by the driver of a white Toyota Quantum.

The driver was transporting a patient from the Andara hospital, Rundu towards Divundu. Upon reaching Rumwemwe, he crashed into a pedestrian, who was crossing the road on crutches. The man died on the spot. 

The deceased was identified at the scene by his son as Joseph Mahupe, a 47-year-old man from the Shankara village.

“On the other side of the road, there is a shebeen. People go there and cross back while it’s dark and not considering oncoming traffic. If you are in the company of a disabled person, you should ensure their safety, but it is unfortunate that that was not the case. It is very sad, but these are lessons that we must learn that at places like this, we have to cross the road with caution. It is a highway, where the speed limit is 120km per hour,’’ said Kanyetu, who witnessed the accident while he was on his way to Rundu from fieldwork.

He added that shebeens along the highway are always dangerous.

“But we have them. I will consult so that clear markings or road signs indicating crossings of pedestrians are placed at places like this. We also have to regulate the layout of shebeens,” he emphasised.

“We will have stakeholders’ consultations, where we will discuss these issues. The family thinks this is the problem of the road. We all need to follow the regulations of the road; it’s not only the drivers,” he said.

Furthermore, the top cop felt a public education campaign on road safety is definitely needed.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na