Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has instructed the safety and security cluster to ensure all necessary measures are in place, especially at roadblocks countrywide, to keep road fatalities to a minimum as Namibians head into the festive season.
Traffic will drastically increase from this week onward as holidaymakers head to their various destinations.
The instruction came with the president’s condolences extended to the families of the people who on Friday died in the gruesome accident between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo.
Fifteen people, including a baby, burned to death after a Quantum minibus collided head-on with a Golf sedan between 03:00 and 04:00 causing both cars to burst into flames.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Namibia, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific accident and others during the long weekend. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” the President said.
He called upon all road users to observe and respect rules.
These include not drinking and driving, adhering to speed limits, being extremely alert when overtaking, not overloading vehicles and making sure all vehicles are roadworthy.
“This devastating incident happened at a time when Namibia is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically the new variant Omicron,” Geingob said.
“It is therefore saddening for our nation to be confronted with such news of lives lost in preventable road accidents, especially during this time of the year when people are travelling for holidays and to reunite with their loved ones whom they have not seen in a long time.”
