Only four traffic cops police 54 000 Otjiwarongo residents

The Otjiwarongo municipality's traffic division is staffed with only four officers to police a town of more than 54 000 residents, with officials warning that the shortage is placing significant pressure on road safety enforcement.

The concern was raised by Otjiwarongo municipality chief of traffic, Lesley Kauatjoma, during an oversight visit to the town by members of parliament's national council standing committee on transport and infrastructure on Wednesday.

"We only have four members operating around town and cater to over 54 000 inhabitants here in Otjiwarongo, and it is a daunting task for the men in uniform," Kauatjoma told the committee.

He said the municipality undertakes regular patrols, speed enforcement operations, vehicle roadworthiness inspections and public awareness campaigns in partnership with the National Road Safety Council, the Roads Authority and other stakeholders.

However, several factors continue to undermine road safety, including excessive speeding, unsafe overtaking, alcohol and substance abuse, driver fatigue, distracted driving and poor compliance with road traffic rules, he added.

Unqualified instructors

Kauatjoma also raised concerns about the rapid growth of driving schools, saying some instructors lack the necessary qualifications and training.

"Today, one instructor has been taught how to drive. Tomorrow he is already issuing driving lessons, and the next day he is teaching another person to drive," he said, calling for stricter regulation and accreditation of driving schools and instructors.

Unroadworthy vehicles, weak and irregular compliance inspections, unsafe loading practices and inadequate monitoring of public transport operators also trouble the department.

Among the municipality's recommendations to the committee were increased joint traffic operations on the B1 and other identified hotspots and the rollout of CCTV cameras to strengthen traffic monitoring.

He said the municipality is already implementing a CCTV project and believes cameras placed at strategic locations, including along the B1, could help change driver behaviour.

"We need to revive the road safety forum," Kauatjoma added, stressing that improved coordination between stakeholders is needed to tackle crashes more effectively.

The municipality also called for dedicated funding to support after-hours traffic operations, technology and low-cost road safety improvements while urging national authorities to clarify enforcement responsibilities on national roads entering the town.

Hotspots

Deputy Commissioner Naukalemo Andreas, head of investigations for Otjozondjupa, told the committee that infrastructure improvements are equally important.

He said the B1 national road between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo is too narrow, making overtaking dangerous, and suggested government should consider constructing a dual carriageway.

Andreas also called for better maintenance of roadside vegetation, saying overgrown grass reduces visibility and increases the risk of collisions with animals.

He further identified the stretch between Kalkfeld and Otjiwarongo as a crash hotspot and proposed the installation of traffic cameras.

Although police maintain regular roadblocks, Andreas said many motorists resume speeding shortly after passing enforcement points.

"You leave the roadblock, you start speeding. Ten kilometres from there you hear there is an accident on the road," he said.

Lack of tools

Meanwhile, Grootfontein traffic unit commander Reagan Katjimune said traffic units continue to face challenges, including shortages of personnel, patrol vehicles and specialised equipment such as speed measuring devices, while policing an extensive road network with increasing traffic volumes.

Katjimune also raised concern about repeat traffic offenders, saying some motorists continue violating road rules despite receiving fines.

Municipal councillor Godhardt Hoko urged government to prioritise a national road traffic monitoring system and support the establishment of an emergency response unit for the region, arguing that continuous monitoring would discourage speeding beyond police roadblocks and improve road safety outcomes.

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