Patience Makwele
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has announced plans to introduce digital vehicle number plates, expand the use of intelligent traffic surveillance systems and strengthen the powers of traffic officers through legislative reforms, as the government moves to tighten road law enforcement and curb the country’s rising road crash toll.
The announcement was made on Monday during the official launch of the Oshakati town council Traffic Law Enforcement Unit, where Nekundi said the proposed reforms would modernise Namibia’s traffic enforcement system through technology while equipping law enforcement agencies with stronger legal powers to improve compliance with road traffic laws.
He said government had already finalised the design of digital vehicle number plates, with legislation now being prepared to support their rollout alongside an automated traffic enforcement system capable of detecting offences such as red-light violations and other traffic infringements.
Nekundi said the planned reforms would also pave the way for electronic processing of traffic fines and allow authorities to use advanced surveillance technology to monitor motorists in real time.
The minister further revealed that the government intends amending traffic legislation to grant officers greater enforcement powers, including the authority to suspend drivers’ licences for serious offences, while introducing harsher penalties for motorists who assault or obstruct law enforcement officials.
“We are going to empower traffic officers to have more teeth to bite,” he said.
As part of the government’s investment in municipal traffic enforcement, Nekundi announced that the Road Fund Administration (RFA) allocated N$3.1 million during the 2025/26 financial year to establish the Oshakati town council traffic law enforcement unit, with a further N$700 000 allocated during the current financial year for patrol vehicles, specialised equipment, uniforms and other operational requirements.
He also urged the council to invest in live-streaming surveillance cameras at traffic lights and high-risk intersections to strengthen enforcement and improve road safety.
Nekundi said Namibia could no longer tolerate reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, speeding and disregard for pedestrians, warning that road traffic laws exist to save lives rather than punish motorists.
“You have the right of movement but you do not have the right to speed,” he said.
The minister stressed that the newly launched municipal unit would complement, rather than replace, the work of the Namibian Police Force by enforcing municipal by-laws, improving traffic management and supporting national road safety objectives.
Also speaking at the launch, Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango said the establishment of the Traffic Law Enforcement Unit fulfils a commitment contained in the council’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan to strengthen road safety, improve traffic management and support orderly urban development as the northern town continues to expand.
The unit, which currently comprises three officers led by Superintendent Solomon Alweendo, will be strengthened with additional personnel as the town grows.
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said the unit’s responsibilities would extend beyond traffic policing to include enforcing municipal by-laws on illegal parking, street trading, sanitation, environmental cleanliness and the responsible use of public spaces.
Representatives from the Road Fund Administration, Roads Authority and the Namibian Police Force said the unit would strengthen cooperation between national and local authorities to improve compliance with traffic laws, protect public infrastructure and create safer roads for all users.
