Staff Reporter
THE Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint between Okahandja and Windhoek has been officially inaugurated.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, described the upgraded checkpoint as a vital addition to national efforts to curb cross-border and domestic crime, including road traffic violations and the transportation of contraband.
“This checkpoint serves as a strategic gateway into our capital city, and its optimisation is essential for combating the movement of contraband, stolen vehicles, overloading and unroadworthy vehicles, as well as all other forms of cross-border and domestic crime,” Iipumbu said.
OPEN: Scenes from the inauguration of the Okapuka Road Traffic Checkpoint. Photos: MVA Fund Namibia.
She added that the checkpoint will act as a dedicated inspection point on the busy route between Okahandja and Windhoek, making it an important frontline tool for national security, public safety and crime prevention.
“Therefore, this upgraded facility will enhance our ability to detect and deter criminal activities. It will also assist us in enforcing road traffic laws,” she said.
The inauguration also marked the launch of the 2025/2026 Festive Season Road Safety Campaign, which runs until 16 January 2026. The nationwide campaign focuses on reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities through targeted measures addressing common road offences.
The minister revealed that the Namibian Police will intensify operations at various road checkpoints across the country, although specific details on timing and locations will not be disclosed to ensure that motorists remain responsible at all times, not only when expecting heightened patrols. Iipumbu urged all road users to exercise caution, especially as traffic volumes increase during the festive season.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Every road user – the drivers, the passengers, the pedestrians, all of us – has a role to play. Let us all commit to making responsible decisions that preserve and save our precious Namibian lives and those of our visitors,” the minister added.
