Following compliance operations at the Kongola checkpoint in Zambezi, Minister Nekundi decried widespread violations by heavy-duty trucks, including overloading, weighbridge avoidance, and misuse of special permits.

“This is serious and requires urgent intervention,” Nekundi said, urging the implementation of 24-hour weighbridge operations at Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo to curb damage to roads.

He exposed fraudulent practices such as manipulation of weighbridge certificates and employment of foreign drivers undermining opportunities for qualified Namibians.

Currently, fines for violations stand at N$1,000, which Nekundi called insufficient:
“Those drivers pay and go without any pain because the benefit of their load is triple. We need to increase fines—if necessary to N$100,000 or even a million.”

The government is determined to close loopholes and protect Namibia’s road infrastructure.