Tsumkwe community activist Calvin Kazibe says a recent accident that claimed the lives of two teenagers could have been prevented were it not for poor road infrustructure.
According to the police, the teens are Elizabeth Kambara (18) and Frans Chameia (19).
The accident occurred some 23km west of Tsumkwe at about 09h20 on 10 February.
It is reported that the driver (52) of a single-cab pickup lost control of the vehicle, which carried 23 occupants.
The pickup was travelling from Mangetti Dune to Tsumkwe on the C44 road after a funeral.
A dozen people were injured, including a San teacher at Tsumkwe Primary School.
“It’s very sad. According to reports, the vehicle was overloaded, as we witnessed. Of course, we do understand that, but given the circumstances … there has been a generational outcry for this road to be tarred,” Kazibe says.
He says investors and those in the transportation sector should consider investing in the area, and should drive along the Tsumkwe-Grootfontein road themselves.
Kazibe says he witnessed a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund ambulance swiftly responding to the accident, losing control and leaving the road.
Kazibe says drivers are forced to take the risk of helping others since the community lacks public transport services.
“We are all aware that the only thing we would want to blame as a nation is the driver for overloading. But have we assessed the circumstances surrounding his behaviour to overload?
“We do not have public transport due to the nature of our road infrastructure. People often depend on government vehicles and any moving vehicle since we do not have public transport,” he says.
Kazibe argued that the driver had no option but to help, at the same time placing his life and that of the passengers at risk.
“We are getting fed up with political office-bearers who only show up during election campaigns, yet they have been blind for the past 34 years, not realising the danger at our doorstep,” he says.
He says complaints about the road infrastructure have fallen on deaf ears, and the issue continues to haunt the community.
“Viva Swapo, viva Swapo, yet you’re not able to bring even the most basic change or development to rescue the community from disaster.
“We are led by people who only care about their bellies, while we are getting close to extinction.”
Kazibe says as long as ignorant politicians cling to their positions, the C44 road will continue to claim innocent lives.
Tsumkwe constituency councillor Johannes Hausiku says he has consulted with the Ministry of Works and Transport on the matter, but the construction of a tarred road is proving cumbersome due to a lack of funds.
He, however, acknowledges the situation and calls for calm while his office tries to find amicable solutions to address current issues, such as potholes.
Meanwhile, Roads Authority spokesperson Hileni Fillemon says upgrading the C44 road is part of its five-year strategic plan, but she will have to find out more from the authority’s engineering business unit.
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