As Namibians prepare for the festive season, messages of goodwill from law enforcement and road safety authorities have been coupled with a sobering warning: preventable negligence continues to cost lives on the country’s roads.
Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL), Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, and Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund chief executive Rosalia Martins-Hausiku have both used their festive season addresses to urge heightened vigilance, discipline and responsible behaviour, particularly among motorists, during what is traditionally the most dangerous period of the year.
Shikongo praised police officers for their “dedication, professionalism and sacrifices” throughout the year, noting that the festive period demands even greater alertness due to increased travel, social activities and alcohol consumption. He urged officers to uphold discipline, integrity and courtesy, stressing that police patrols on the ground is central to public trust and effective law enforcement.
“The festive season requires increased commitment to duty,” Shikongo said, while also encouraging officers to prioritise their own safety and support one another. He extended festive greetings to police, families and communities, calling on all Namibians to work together to ensure a peaceful holiday period.
However, the strongest emphasis of the Inspector-General’s message was directed at the public, particularly motorists. Road safety, he said, remains a major national concern.
“We can no longer afford to lose lives on our roads; every life lost is one too many,” Shikongo warned, urging drivers to avoid speeding, fatigue and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He also called on communities to remain vigilant against crime, including housebreak-ins, robberies and alcohol-related offences, and to cooperate fully with law enforcement officers. NAMPOL has announced intensified visibility, patrols and road safety operations nationwide throughout the festive season.
The police also issued detailed safety guidelines covering road use, home and business security, personal safety and the growing threat of fraud and scams, which have seen a notable increase in recent months. Members of the public were cautioned never to share banking details or one-time passwords and to assist elderly people, who are often targeted by scammers.
Reinforcing the police message with stark statistics, MVA Fund CEO Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said driver behaviour accounts for the overwhelming majority of crashes in Namibia.
According to the Fund, 72% of road accidents are caused by negligence such as drunk driving, overloading and non-compliance with traffic regulations.
“Most crashes are preventable,” Martins-Hausiku said, urging motorists to obey road rules and make responsible choices behind the wheel to reduce carnage during the festive period.
– isipunga@nepc.com.na