Livestock on roads a big problem

A 27-year-old man is in critical condition after he sustained head injuries on Monday morning when the bakkie he was driving crashed into a cow. The accident occurred just outside Otjiwarongo on the road to Kalkfeld at around 05:00. Police yesterday confirmed that the man had been airlifted from Otjiwarongo to Windhoek and remained in a critical condition. Deputy Commissioner Naukalemo Andreas of the Otjozondjupa police said the incident was being investigated. “The owner [of the cow] is being traced and he will be dealt with as per the prescribed law,” she said yesterday. Andreas issued a stern warning to farmers to keep their livestock in fenced-off areas. “These cattle are risking the lives of many motorists as it is difficult to see a cow at night,” she said. Spotlight The accident has again highlighted the dangers posed by livestock roaming freely in road reserves, which has led to numerous accidents. The problem was exacerbated by a three-year drought when farmers were desperate for grazing. In line with this, a pilot project allows people to send a photo via WhatsApp of the identifying NamLITS tags, which all livestock are required by law to wear. The project was launched recently by the Joint Crime Prevention Forum. The initiative is supported by Kosmos 94.1 FM radio station, with sponsorship from NamAgri, and is taking place in collaboration with the police and other relevant authorities. NamAgri's Alex McDonald said the project was aimed at clearing the road reserves of livestock in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Once a photo is received via the toll-free WhatsApp number, 081 765 5636, a team starts the work of tracing and contacting the owner of the animal. McDonald said the project was in its infancy and more publicity would follow to ensure all Namibians could take part. He confirmed that at least one police station had joined the project. He said animals in road reserves were a bigger problem than people realised. According to the Namibian Road Traffic and Transport Regulations of 2001, chapter 8, “a person may not leave or allow any bovine animal, horse, ass, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich to be on any section of a public road where the section is fenced or in any other manner closed along both sides, and a person may not leave that animal in a place from where it may stray onto that section of public road.” Following a crash on the road between Windhoek and Rehoboth in December, when a man swerved into oncoming traffic when he tried to avoid crashing into a cow, the police bemoaned the fact that many animals were not registered on NamLITS. The NamLITS system allows tracing of livestock owners, but the animals must be tagged to make that possible. * Additional reporting by NAMPAJANA-MARI SMITH

Livestock on roads a big problem

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Livestock on roads a big problem

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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