Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the families affected by Saturday’s fatal road accident between Mariental and Kalkrand, confirming that the government will provide assistance for dignified funerals, as well as counselling.
“The Government, together with the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, will render all necessary support to ensure that our departed colleagues and the two civilian sisters are accorded a dignified send-off. We are providing all the necessary support and assistance through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, such as the swift issuance of death certificates and burial removal documents to facilitate the transportation of the remains to their respective designated places of burial,” she said.
The president made these remarks during the Mass Memorial Service held in Mariental, where she expressed her condolences both personally and on behalf of the nation.
“We gather here this morning as a nation in deep shock, with a sense of disbelief and profound sadness, as we come to terms with the tragic road accident which claimed seventeen precious lives of our nation on Saturday, 30 August 2025. Amongst them were men and women in uniform from the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) and the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS), as well as two civilian sisters and an unborn baby, sending shockwaves across our nation,” the president said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that the government will continue to support the bereaved families, having dispatched teams, including investigators and wellness officers, to Mariental to provide counselling and psychosocial services.
“To assist the bereaved family members, survivors and colleagues affected by this tragedy, the Government has dispatched various teams, including investigators and wellness officers, to Mariental to render counselling and psychosocial support services. I encourage all to make use of this vital service. Emotional healing is as important as physical recovery, and it is through compassion, care, and professional guidance that the bereaved and affected colleagues can begin to rebuild their lives after this devastating loss,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The president also called on Namibians to learn from this tragedy and to prioritise road safety.
“In this hour of grief, I urge all Namibians to remember that every life is precious, and every decision made when we are on our roads carries the possibility of profound consequences. The loss of these officials must strengthen our awareness of road safety and encourage us to exercise the utmost caution on our roads,” she added.
