Police Launch Festive Season Road Safety Operation in Kavango West
The Namibian Police Force has launched the 2025/26 festive season road safety operation in Kavango West, amid rising concerns over increasing road crashes and fatalities in the region. The campaign, themed “Safer Namibia”, was officially activated on Tuesday.
Regional commander Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo revealed that road accidents have increased sharply compared to last year. Between 1 January and 1 December 2025, the region recorded 307 crashes involving 332 vehicles, resulting in 19 deaths, 62 serious injuries, and 70 slight injuries. This is a major increase from 192 crashes, nine deaths, and 25 serious injuries recorded during the same period last year.
The festive season operation, which runs from 15 November 2025 to 16 January 2026, targets drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, and crime prevention at a time when road accidents traditionally rise.
Sakuwa-Neo also referred to several recent incidents, including a pedestrian who died at Guaqui village on 30 November, three more deaths on 1 December, and separate crashes reported at Nepara and Kayaura villages.
She cautioned communities not to take the law into their own hands after residents at Guaqui and Kayaura allegedly attempted to attack drivers involved in accidents and threatened to damage vehicles.
“Both pedestrians and drivers have a responsibility when it comes to road safety. They should allow the law to take its course,” she said. Of the 19 fatalities recorded this year, seven were pedestrians, while two resulted from collisions with domestic animals.
The Namibian Public Passenger Transport Association (NPPTA) in Kavango West also pledged its support for the operation. Regional chairperson Karambo Matelius said the association is committed to promoting safe transport, noting that it operates 24 local authority permits, although only two are currently active. Through support from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, NPPTA has rolled out defensive driving training for operators.
He added that the association recognises only three official loading zones and will not take responsibility for incidents at unauthorised stopping points. NPPTA also uses a WhatsApp platform to share information on road safety and crime prevention.
The festive season operation will further focus on checking vehicle roadworthiness and addressing challenges posed by poor road infrastructure, particularly in areas such as Kurisuka, Karanawa and parts of Maporeza.
Commissioner Sakuwa-Neo urged all road users to obey traffic laws, avoid drinking and driving, and cooperate with authorities to help reduce accidents and save lives during the busy festive period.
