Pedestrians remain among the most vulnerable road users in the Ohangwena region, largely due to inconsiderate driving, the police have warned.
New figures show a worrying rise in road deaths and serious injuries this year.
Ohangwena police regional commander commissioner Otillie Kashuupulwa says 31 people have died in road crashes in the region in 2025, while 61 others sustained serious injuries in accidents involving 72 vehicles.
She revealed the statistics at the launch of the police’s festive season operation at Onhuno checkpoint on Friday.
Kashuupulwa said many of the crashes involved pedestrians and were often linked to reckless driving, speeding and motorists’ failure to obey traffic rules, particularly in busy village centres and business areas.
Beyond road safety, she identified gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking as major crimes of concern in the region, especially during the festive season when population movement and economic activity increase.
She urged residents to work closely with the police by reporting crimes promptly and remaining vigilant throughout the festive period.
“History has taught us that economic and social crimes tend to escalate during the festive season, as business centres become overcrowded and more prone to criminal activities,” Kashuupulwa said.
She described the festive season operation as a national crime-prevention initiative aimed at raising public awareness and encouraging communities to actively participate in fighting crime.
“This campaign is an innovative national effort to reduce crime by empowering everyone to be part of forums against crime. If we work together, we can have a lasting impact on crime prevention,” she said.
The police operation will focus on road safety enforcement, crime-prevention patrols and community engagement, with particular attention given to pedestrian safety, GBV cases and cross-border crimes.
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