As the festive season kicks into high gear, the Namibian Transport Department and law enforcement agencies are actively engaged in a comprehensive road safety campaign.

The focal point of their efforts is the B2 Swakopmund Roadblock, strategically positioned on one of Namibia's busiest highways.

nbc's News reporter, Stefan |Uirab, caught up with Inspector Ileni Shapumba, the Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the Erongo Region. 

The Windhoek City Police is stationed at the Okapuka roadblock for the festive season, ensuring compliance with road traffic rules. They'll be screening for warrants, vehicle roadworthiness, and fitness.

During this busy period at the Okapuka roadblock, the City Police's Superintendent, Katrina Nomboga, emphasises the team's focus on various road safety aspects.

She stressed that her team aims to convey a clear message on road safety, intending to prevent accidents and fatalities. 

While the festive season can be a joyful time for many, it sometimes leads to underlying tensions within family relations that come to the surface.

Increased stress, financial pressures, and expectations during the festive season can contribute to an already volatile situation, leading to incidents of physical confrontation and gender-based violence (GBV).

Police in the Oshana Region have vowed to keep their boots on the ground throughout the festive season, thus ensuring that they maintain law and order during this time of year, which records a high influx of people to the region.

The police regional commander in Oshana, Commissioner Naftal Sakaria, says the region will increase its police visibility to ensure that they prevent crime.

In 2021–2022, there have been a total of 5,795 criminal cases recorded, and 5,412 cases recorded in 2022–2023. Regional crime statistics indicate a 7% decline in crimes of concern.

The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Joseph Shikongo, says police visibility will be increased on the streets across the country this festive season.

Lieutenant-General Shikongo says visitors and citizens alike need peace of mind and to feel safe as they wind up the year at holiday destinations of their choice.

The top cop led a night patrol to some of the crime hotspots in the coastal town of Swakopmund as part of the launch of the festive season operation in the town.

The Oshikoto Region is working towards achieving zero fatalities during the festive season.

Oshikoto Regional Commander Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku calls for teamwork and coordination by all road users to ensure zero fatalities, zero serious injuries, and zero stock theft.

She said this during the planning and review meeting held at Omuthiya in the Oshikoto Region on Tuesday.

The festive season is rapidly drawing nearer, and the police are gearing up for their festive season crime prevention and road safety initiatives.

Inspector General Joseph Shikongo addressed officials in his preparatory meeting for the national festive season crime prevention and road safety operation at the national headquarters in the capital.

Shikongo stressed the need for community engagement and partnerships, emphasising that the support and cooperation of citizens are essential in preventing and combating crime.

The holiday season is usually a time to cash in for the business-minded, and although people leave the city, it brings a lot of benefits to hairdressers, barbers, and nail technicians, just to mention a few.

But for some, like Jukla Kaatondoka, a Windhoek-based tailor, the busy holiday season means a slowdown in business. 

The festive season, which sees an influx of people coming back to their residential homes for the holiday, also serves as an opportunity for local businesses to boost their profit margins.

A popular Kapana spot at Adolf Village, located between Ondangwa and Ongwediva, is one such place where customers flock to get freshly grilled meat and other delicacies.

The meat traders say they cannot close shop because they need to serve the public and make extra money.

The holiday season is a period when many individuals become victims of crimes, but most occurrences may be prevented if people pay close attention to their surroundings and take proactive safeguards.

Erongo Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona said this during his festive season and crime prevention message. 

Kupembona said the festive season brings an increase in traveling, shopping, and socializing, therefore, it appears to be a peak period where crime rates escalate.