Just over three months after a horrific incident on the road between the Hardap Dam and Mariental, which claimed 16 lives, those involved and affected by the road crash still find it difficult to come to terms.

On Saturday, 30 August, Namibians woke up to the shocking news of a road crash involving vehicles of the police and correctional services. 

Twelve staff members of the Correctional Service department, two police officers and two civilians, including a pregnant woman, perished in the early morning accident. 

Two months after the fatal crash, Home Affairs, Immigration and Safety and Security Minister Lucia Iipumbu visited the scene and the officers to do an assessment.

Recalling the accident, Iipumbu pointed out that it was a deeply saddening moment for Namibia. 

Investigation into the crash is all but complete.

Two of the critically injured survivors have since been discharged from the hospital, while a third is still in the hospital in a critical but stable condition.

But it is at the Hardap Correctional Service facility where colleagues find it difficult to cope with the loss on both personal and professional levels.

Expressing condolences to all those who lost family members, colleagues and friends, Iipumbu reminded road users to be careful when taking to the road.

While the festive season is in full swing, reports of an increasing number of road crash fatalities already have observers worried.