The Kavango West Region has recorded 10 road fatalities this year, while 13 people died last year.

Kavango West Regional Commander, Commissioner Julia Sakuwa-Neo, says all fatalities were a result of pedestrians being bumped on the road.

The Regional Commander made the remarks at the launch of the 2023–2024 Festive Season Operation and Road Safety Campaign in Kavango West.

"It is evident that with the upcoming festive season, our national roads still remain darkened by the occurrence of tragic road accidents that tend to increase during this period. This therefore calls for the critical need to deploy traffic law enforcement members and the continuous collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure that we reach our decade of action goals of reducing fatalities to 50% by 2030."

The operation is also directed towards curbing general crime in the region.

Some local transport operators have been involved in various illegal activities, according to the Namibia Public Passenger Association's (NPPTA) Regional Chairman, Fernando Shimunga.

The MVA Fund conducted research on the cause of car crashes in six regions, including Kavango West, and it was found that 72% of crashes are due to human behaviour, with actions ranging from overspeeding, overloading, and overtaking at blind spots to the use of electronic devices while driving.

Apart from road safety awareness, the Regional Commander said a number of children are frequenting drinking places in Kavango West. She is now calling on shebeen owners not to sell alcohol to minors and asking parents to take charge and monitor their children.