President makes a plea for safer roads

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has expressed his grief over 12 people losing their lives in an accident on the road between Kalkrand and Rehoboth on Sunday.

“This is one of the worst accidents this country has experienced this year in which so many people lost their lives. This is indeed a great loss to Namibia in general and the bereaved families in particular,” Pohamba said in a statement yesterday.He extended his deepest sympathy to the families who lost loved ones in the accident and said Namibia shared in their grief and sorrow.Two vehicles, a commuter minibus and a bakkie, collided 30 km outside Kalkrand on the way to Rehoboth and the 12 people died on the spot.The dead have been identified as former Mineworkers Union of Namibia Vice President Eino Ntinda, Elim Pentecostal Church Elder Hendrik Moss and fellow church members Anton Johannes Uiseb (33), Helena Janse (46), Eva Priscilla Nero (25), Eliaser Moss (7), Hermanus Ochurub, Stephanus Ochurub, Livona Ochurus and baby Ochurus as well as the driver of the minibus Johny Japhet ‘Nugget’ Kharigub and Julius Cornelius (39).Pohamba appealed to road users to drive carefully to avoid unnecessary loss of life.”The safety of our people on the road is of paramount importance.It is, therefore, crucial for all road users to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations at all times,” the President said.He said that regulations were there to protect lives.”Let us obey them, let us exercise patience, let us use our roads responsibly for the safety of our citizens.Let us drive with the purpose at all times to arrive alive at our intended destinations,” he said.A memorial service will be held at 14h00 today at the spot where the accident took place.It will be attended by, among others, the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Joel Kaapanda, and Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse.This is indeed a great loss to Namibia in general and the bereaved families in particular,” Pohamba said in a statement yesterday.He extended his deepest sympathy to the families who lost loved ones in the accident and said Namibia shared in their grief and sorrow.Two vehicles, a commuter minibus and a bakkie, collided 30 km outside Kalkrand on the way to Rehoboth and the 12 people died on the spot.The dead have been identified as former Mineworkers Union of Namibia Vice President Eino Ntinda, Elim Pentecostal Church Elder Hendrik Moss and fellow church members Anton Johannes Uiseb (33), Helena Janse (46), Eva Priscilla Nero (25), Eliaser Moss (7), Hermanus Ochurub, Stephanus Ochurub, Livona Ochurus and baby Ochurus as well as the driver of the minibus Johny Japhet ‘Nugget’ Kharigub and Julius Cornelius (39).Pohamba appealed to road users to drive carefully to avoid unnecessary loss of life.”The safety of our people on the road is of paramount importance.It is, therefore, crucial for all road users to adhere to the traffic rules and regulations at all times,” the President said.He said that regulations were there to protect lives.”Let us obey them, let us exercise patience, let us use our roads responsibly for the safety of our citizens.Let us drive with the purpose at all times to arrive alive at our intended destinations,” he said.A memorial service will be held at 14h00 today at the spot where the accident took place.It will be attended by, among others, the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Joel Kaapanda, and Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse.