Zambezi regional police commander Julia Sakuwa-Neo has proposed doubling fines for driving under the influence to N$8 000, following a surge in road arrests and crashes.
She said this on Monday during an engagement with the parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure, and housing.
The committee, chaired by George Garab, aims to get expert opinions and practical recommendations on measures to reduce road accidents in the country.
Sakuwa-Neo said drunk driving in the region has been on the increase as about 93 drivers have been arrested in the 2026/27 financial year already.
During the same period in the last financial year, 26 drivers were arrested, indicating an increase, she said.
“I don’t know how we can increase these fines for drunk driving, because the N$4 000 is not scaring offenders . . .
“There was a time it was N$8 000, and probably that would have scared them off. It seems some people have no problem with money, so even if it increases, they might still drink and drive, pay N$8 000, and be released,” she said. Sakuwa-Neo recommended that licences be suspended for repeat offenders. Road infrastructure must also be improved for adequate space to be available to vulnerable road users, she said.
“There’s also a need for resource allocation such as cars and equipment to strengthen the traffic department in the region. Alcohol outlets must be located far from schools and public roads to minimise pedestrian-related crashes,” she said.
Sakuwa-Neo further revealed that there were 472 road crashes, including 39 serious injuries and 18 deaths during the 2025/26 financial year.
During 2026/27, 98 road crashes were reported, including 13 serious injuries and four deaths, she said.
“These accidents were as a result of tyre bursts, a loss of control, head-on collisions, and animals roaming the roads,” she said.
She said interventions such as the deployment of traffic officers, installing speed humps, and road safety awareness and education campaigns across the region are implemented to curb crashes.
