Alarm over rampant old-age grant abuse, drunk driving in Oshana

A rise in social grant abuse, drunk driving and drug use were among the key concerns raised during a community engagement between residents and police at Okaku Kiipupu last week.Ompundja constituency councillor Adolf Uunona and Oshana regional police commander Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria both voiced concern over the growing social challenges affecting vulnerable groups in the region.Uunona highlighted that old-age pension grants, a critical support system for many Namibian households, are increasingly misused or stolen, often by the recipients’ own family members.“Our grandparents’ social grants are taken away, leaving our most vulnerable citizens in precarious situations,” Uunona warned. “These funds are meant to provide food, healthcare and shelter – not to be diverted or misused by others.”Losing direction He said the elderly, as the backbone of society, deserve dignity and respect for the role they play in caring for children and sustaining households.“They deserve love and the security of knowing their basic needs are met,” he stressed.Uunona also expressed grave concern over rising drug abuse in the region, warning that many young people have lost their direction in life due to substance use.“I have seen many young people lose their life vision because of drugs,” he said, urging the youth to reject substance abuse.Uunona also addressed the issue of livestock theft.“If the livestock is not yours, leave it. Do not desire what you don’t have.”Drunken crashes soar Sakaria also reported a sharp rise in drunk driving incidents in the region.Since the deployment of additional traffic officers, police have been recording around 45 cases of drunk driving per month, he said, a sharp increase from just four cases a month on average three years ago.“The cause of car crashes is due to people driving drunk, and we want to put a stop to it,” Sakaria said.He urged law enforcement officers to maintain high ethical standards. “We want traffic officers executing their duties as required and not taking bribes. We want work done,” he said. Sakaria called for stronger community cooperation, youth awareness campaigns and continued protection of elders as the region grapples with these social challenges.

Alarm over rampant old-age grant abuse, drunk driving in Oshana

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-28

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Alarm over rampant old-age grant abuse, drunk driving in Oshana

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-28

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