Namibia Home Affairs Minister Urges Road Safety Responsibility

Namibia's Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu has called on police officers to rethink their approach to road safety inspections, urging them to look beyond vehicle and driver licences. During an engagement with law enforcement officials at the Oshikoto regional headquarters in Omuthiya, Iipumbu emphasized the need for officers to intensify searches and pay closer attention to motorists' and passengers' conduct, particularly during the festive season. She made the remarks at the Oshikoto regional headquarters in Omuthiya on Monday.

Iipumbu specifically challenged officers operating at the Oshivelo roadblock to improve their road safety efforts. She questioned whether existing roadblocks were adequately addressing the behaviour that puts motorists and other road users at risk. The minister expressed concern that current roadblock activities were not up to standard, especially during holiday border patrols. Iipumbu encouraged officers to assess human behaviour, not just documentation, to prevent road accidents.

The minister highlighted the problem of irresponsible behaviour, including drinking behind the wheel, which contributes to road accidents. She noted that during roadblocks, officers often focus exclusively on checking licences, while motorists engage in risky behaviour, such as drinking and playing loud music. Iipumbu also addressed a trend where motorists warn each other about roadblocks, allowing them to avoid detection.

Iipumbu urged officers to make the assessment of human behaviour a central part of their road safety responsibilities. She emphasized that if accidents happen, the cause should not be attributed to witchcraft, but rather to human irresponsibility. The minister's remarks come as Namibia continues to grapple with a high road accident toll. According to figures, between January 1 and November 1, 2026, the country recorded 2,458 road crashes.

The road crashes left 4,175 people injured and 368 dead, according to acting Inspector General of Police Major General Anne-Marie Nainda. These figures highlight the urgency of strengthening preventative measures as traffic volumes are expected to increase during the festive season. Iipumbu's call to action aims to address the root causes of road accidents and promote a culture of responsibility among motorists.

However, Iipumbu cautioned against attributing every road death to irresponsible driving, acknowledging that mechanical defects and other circumstances also contribute to accidents. She noted that some accidents can be caused by bad tyres or disabilities that impair driving abilities. The minister's balanced approach emphasizes the need to consider multiple factors contributing to road accidents.

As the festive season approaches, Iipumbu's message to both police officers and the public is clear: road safety requires a collective effort. By working together and taking responsibility, Namibians can reduce the number of road accidents and promote a safer environment for all road users. The minister's engagement with law enforcement officials is a step towards achieving this goal.

Key points

• Minister Lucia Iipumbu challenges police officers to look beyond vehicle documentation and focus on human behaviour to prevent road accidents.
• Namibia recorded 2,458 road crashes between January 1 and November 1, 2026, resulting in 368 deaths and 4,175 injuries.
• Iipumbu cautions against attributing road deaths solely to irresponsible driving, citing mechanical defects and other factors as contributing causes.