Bump in the road for Nekundi

The controversial speed humps installed on Windhoek's Western Bypass to slow traffic and protect pedestrians have sparked widespread public criticism, culminating in an urgent High Court application brought by social activist Michael Amushelelo.

On Friday, after hearing oral arguments by Amushelelo and state advocate Wilhelm Amukoto, High Court judge Gabriel Komboni postponed judgment to 30 June.

Amushelelo wants the court to declare the speed humps unlawful, saying they violate the Road Traffic and Transport Act of 1999 and pose a danger to the public, particularly motorists.

He is also seeking a court order compelling the minister of works and transport and the Roads Authority to remove the humps immediately, or within 24 hours of such an order being granted.

Amushelelo claims four accidents have already occurred since the structures were erected near Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area.

"An ambulance responding to an emergency was delayed by approximately five minutes on 11 June while traversing the speed humps," Amushelelo said in his filings.

The structures were erected following growing concerns over pedestrian fatalities along the busy highway, which links several parts of the capital and carries thousands of vehicles daily.

However, the intervention has drawn criticism from some motorists, who say the speed humps are unsuitable for a major arterial road and have led to traffic congestion, vehicle damage and safety concerns.

Right move

Government has defended its decision and asked the court to dismiss the application.

Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi raised several technical and legal objections in court, including whether Amushelelo has the legal standing to bring the matter and whether the application is sufficiently urgent.

On urgency, Amushelelo argued the structures posed an immediate and ongoing danger to hundreds of road users for as long as they remain in place.

The minister also challenged the wording of the application, arguing that references to "highways" and "freeways" are legally flawed because Namibian law recognises only trunk roads, main roads, district roads and farm roads.

Amushelelo described the issue as one of semantics, saying the physical nature and function of the road remain unchanged regardless of how it is classified in law.

Meanwhile, the Roads Authority (RA) last week denied social media claims that recently installed speed humps on sections of the B1 Western Bypass and A1 road cost taxpayers N$12 million, noting that the actual expenditure stood at approximately N$704 000 to date.

“The speed humps are intended to reduce vehicle speeds, improve driver awareness, and enhance pedestrian safety while long-term solutions are being pursued,” the RA added.