Government negligence blamed for deadly Mariental-Kalkrand road crash

A Road safety expert has accused the government of negligence after a collision between two overloaded state vehicles on the Mariental-Kalkrand road killed 16 people on Saturday.

The victims include officials from the Namibian Police and the Namibian Correctional Service.

Road safety activist Felix Tjozongoro says the fatal crash was not just an accident, but an act of negligence by the state.

Tjozongoro told The Namibian the government needs to answer for these deaths as the accident involved two overloaded government pick-ups carrying law enforcement officials and civilians.

“We are saying the inspector general of the police and the commissioner of correctional services must answer how this overloading and mode of transport took place under their watch,” he says.

Tjozongoro, who worked as a manager at the government-run Namibia Traffic Information System (Natis), suspects the chronic overloading of government vehicles is a regular occurrence.

“Perhaps this type of ferrying of officials and suspects takes place all the time, but it took this accident to open the eyes of the people,” he says.

Tjozongoro adds that the laws of the country are clear.
“No more than six people at the back of a bakkie.

Yet government agencies break the same laws they punish ordinary Namibians for. Who will police the police?” he asks.

The road expert says the minister of transport and works must take responsibility for the deaths.

“Overloaded government bakkies are the norm, not the exception. We cannot keep mourning preventable deaths. The law must apply to all – civilians and state agencies alike,” says Tjozongoro.

Tjozongoro says the roads in the south are not known for deadly car accidents as they are generally well maintained. He says there could have been a bend that hampered visibility, but he notes the place this accident took place indicates a straight road.

He calls on president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to issue a directive prohibiting the overloading of government vehicles and for the police and prison bosses to explain how this happened under their watch.

“Overloading cannot be allowed. Speeding cannot be allowed. Resource allocation must be sufficient.

We cannot provide jobs and overcrowd stations to answer campaign promises and not be able to provide a decent working environment for the safety and security cluster.

“There are buses and combis available the ministry can acquire so that every person can sit comfortably on a seat,” he says.

PRESIDENTIAL CONDOLENCES

President Nandi-Ndaitwah issued a statement on Saturday, saying no words can capture the depth of the loss of lives.

She says the nation grieves alongside the bereaved families as these officers, together with the civilian victim, were part of the Namibian family.
The deaths leave a void that will not be easily filled, says Nandi-Ndaitwah.

“Their dedication and service to our country will forever be remembered with respect and gratitude.

“On behalf of the people and the government, I extend sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.

Our nation also keeps in our prayers the three members of the Namibian Correctional Service who are critically injured. We wish them strength and a full recovery,” says the president.

She, however, did not explain whether the government intends to fix systematic failures and or reforms.

Between January and 3 August the country reported 1 845 vehicle accidents in which 285 people lost their lives and 3 073 were injured, according to Motor Vehicle Accident fund statistics.

FATAL FAILURES

Independent Patriots for Change official opposition leader Imms Nashinge says the accident reveals the need to review the type of transport often provided for officers.

Nashinge says it is unacceptable that those tasked with ensuring national security and correctional services are themselves placed at such high risk due to potentially inadequate or unsafe transportation.

“We have a fundamental duty of care to our public servants, and this duty extends to ensuring their safety while in transit.

This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must work together to save lives,” he says.

Nashinge adds: “Let the memory of those we lost today be the catalyst for a fundamental change that makes our roads safer for all Namibians, especially those who serve us”.

Sean Naude of Marshall Rangers Namibia says he trusts leaders will now be forced into taking action towards public servants’ transportation. Naude says there are many government vehicles and ambulances not in use due to lack of funding or proper maintenance.

He says he often sees government vehicles, especially police vans, loaded with officers being transported to their posts, adding that this is unlawful.

“Today a mass casualty accident left many lives lost and many people injured. The scene was a horrific and tragic sight for anyone who attended or came across the scene. Yet our leaders parade around in luxury vehicles costing millions of taxpayers’ money,” Naude says.

OUR GUIDING LIGHT IS GONE

“Our lives were changed forever,” says Aniita Taapopi about her sister Adelheid Taapopi who is one of the Namibian Correctional Service officials who died on Saturday. She was 51 years old.

Aniita describes her sister as “more than just a sister” to her and her family.
She says Adelheid was the rock of their family.

“She was a kind and caring person who always put others before herself. Her strength and resilience inspired us all, her love and support will be deeply missed and she was very nice to us. We are 10 children of my mother.

“She was my best friend, everyone’s confidante and guiding light.

“I’m still trying to process the loss of my amazing sister. My sister may be gone, but her memory and love will live on in me,” says Aniita.

Adelheid was dependable, a mother of five children, a breadwinner and a hard worker.
Without her, life will be different, says Aniita.

“I’ll cherish the memories we made together. As a family we will celebrate her life and remember the good times. Today, my family lost an angel, but heaven gained a beautiful soul,” says Aniita.

Mariental resident and father of one of the victims of the accident Dirk Louw describes the accident as a devastating tragedy.
“It was a terrible shock, seeing how many lives were lost,” says Louw.

His daughter sustained a fractured arm and leg, but he says her condition is stable.
She was one of the three survivors among the six occupants of the police van.

“This tragedy is devastating, and as parents, our thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones.”

“When I think of my daughter being involved, she could easily have been among those who did not survive.

But by God’s mercy, she is still here and able to speak to us today,” says the father.

He says their thoughts are with the families of those who died.

INVESTIGATION

Minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Lucia Iipumbu says a thorough investigation – covering scene reconstruction, vehicle condition and compliance with all operational protocols – will be conducted.

Initial police reports say the police van was carrying six passengers, including five officers and a civilian, while the correctional service vehicle had 13 people on board.

She further appeals to the public not to share unverified information or distressing images and to allow authorities to complete notifications to next of kin with dignity and respect.

“I would like to thank the first responders, the medical teams at Mariental State Hospital and all officials who provided support at the scene and in the aftermath of this tragedy,” says the minister.

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