Authorities press ahead with installation of 12 speed humps

The Ministry of Works and Transport confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the installation of speed humps along Windhoek’s Western Bypass continues.

Roads Authority (RA) spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said a total of 12 speed humps are planned for the B1 Western Bypass.

Four will be installed around the Lafrenz area, four under the bridge opposite Katutura Hospital, and another four between Prosperita and the Windhoek Country Club Resort.

The development comes after activist Michael Amushelelo took Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi to court in a bid to have the speed humps declared unlawful and removed.

Judge Gabriel Komboni is expected to deliver judgement on 30 June.

Take to the streets

Amushelelo has also called on the public to take part in a protest on Saturday.

In an ultimatum sent to Nekundi on 14 June, Amushelelo demanded that the traffic-calming structures be removed by Friday, 19 June.

“Should your office fail or refuse to comply with this demand by the stated deadline, we will be left with no other option but to exercise our constitutional rights,” he wrote.

He said a “massive peaceful public protest” was planned to shut down the B1 Western Bypass for the full 12-hour duration of the demonstration, from 07:00 to 19:00 on Saturday, 20 June.

Amushelelo described the decision to install speed humps on a high-speed arterial road as “irrational”, saying it had already caused significant damage to vehicles, severe traffic congestion, and four recorded crashes.

"We will no longer sit idly by while public safety is compromised,” he wrote.

Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi has confirmed that the police were given notice of the planned demonstration.

Pleads for patience

Nekundi this week confirmed that the RA will continue installing speed humps until the project is completed.

He said the speed humps will remain in place until the erection of pedestrian overpasses is finalised, which is expected before the end of the current financial year.

“People must just be patient,” he said.