Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has proposed a fine between N$80 000 and N$100 000 for commercial farmers who fail to maintain a proper fence to keep animals away from roads that ends up causing road accidents.
The proposal was made by Nico Smit while contributing to the Roads Bill debate in parliament on Tuesday.
He said families are losing their loved ones and vehicles because of road accidents caused by animals that are supposed to be kept inside the fence but are allowed to roam freely on national roads.
“There must be a fine for commercial and communal farmers who fail to maintain a proper fence to keep animals away from the roads. The farmer must be held liable for the damage caused to the vehicles and for the lives lost,” he stressed.
Section 30(4) of this Bill further speaks about a fence that an owner of a commercial farm must erect in accordance with the standards issued by the Roads Authority (RA).
Smit also clarified that although the bill mentions the notice of undertaking construction on roads, it is the responsibility of the RA to inform the public when the road’s construction will begin.
He said this must be done well in advance through social media platforms and other traditional media platforms.
“Construction works on roads at night must be banned as many road users normally get involved in car accidents that are caused by construction works on the roads. Additionally, construction work during peak hours of the day should actually be minimised as it negatively affects the traffic flow,” he said.
He further argued that under Section 6(1)(a), which speaks about the powers and functions of the roads board, where the roads board will give assistance, advice, and perform all duties that the RA determines, the roles of the road boards are minimal and seem very ceremonial.
“Why can’t the functions of the proposed road boards be carried out by the Roads Authority? I therefore further question if the establishment of the road boards is necessary and will it serve in the best interest of the country,” questioned Smit.
In April this year, Ezekiel Kaukuetu, a farmer at Jakaalsdraai village in the Omaheke region, was ordered by the court to pay N$ 45 000 in damages caused by his cow to a vehicle.
A vehicle belonging to the plaintiff in the case, Lucia Tebele, allegedly hit Kaukuetu’s cow after it strayed onto the road.
Road safety activists welcomed the parliamentarians and courts’ commitment to road safety by holding cattle owners accountable for accidents caused by livestock roaming freely.
“The proposals are a powerful reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility. It emphasises that negligence, whether on the part of drivers or livestock owners, can have serious legal consequences,” he said.
