By: Annakleta Haikera
The Rundu Town Council officially received two patrol vehicles during the launch of its new Traffic Law Enforcement Unit on Thursday, a step towards strengthening road safety and urban management in the fast-growing town.
The handover of the vehicles also marks the beginning of a fully-established unit under the Council’s Emergency and Law Enforcement Section.
The new unit is headed by a senior traffic officer supported by two traffic officers, all equipped to commence operations immediately.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Kavango East Regional Council chairperson, Damian Maghambayi, praised the development, noting that Rundu – now the second most populated urban centre after Windhoek – requires a stronger traffic enforcement presence to match its rapid growth.
Maghambayi said the increasing congestion and expanding economic activity demands a road network that is safe, orderly, and well-managed.
He highlighted that the success of the new unit will depend on collaboration between the Council, the Namibian Police Force, community policing forums, taxi associations, schools, and the public.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. It requires respect, discipline, and a mindset that values human life above convenience,” he said.
He urged residents to work together in reducing road accidents, especially with the festive season approaching. To this, he expressed hope that the joint efforts of the Traffic Unit and NAMPOL would help the region achieve a zero-fatality festive season.
The inauguration also served as a reminder of the lives lost and families affected by preventable accidents.
Maghambayi stressed that the new Traffic Unit should stand as a symbol of Rundu’s commitment to order, safety, and sustainable urban development.
With the vehicles officially handed over and the officers ready for duty, the Rundu Town Council declared the Traffic Law Enforcement Unit fully operational.
According to Rundu Town Council chief executive officer, Olavi Nathanael, the establishment of the Unit marks a strategic step towards improving road safety, order, and mobility in one of Namibia’s fastest-growing urban centres.
Nathanael explained that as Rundu continues to expand in population, traffic density, and commercial activity, the need for a dedicated local authority unit to manage and enforce traffic regulations has become increasingly pertinent.
He said the initiative is in line with the provisions of the National Road Traffic and Transportation Act, and that the Council had already approved the creation of the Traffic Unit during its meeting of 14 September 2021 under the Community Service Department.
Over the past years, the town has been working to secure ministerial approvals, recruit qualified traffic officers, and acquire essential equipment needed to operationalise the unit.
Nathanael noted with pride that the unit is now headed by a senior traffic officer supported by two traffic officers, and has been equipped with two patrol vehicles, breathalysers, a speed camera, and firearms enabling the team to effectively carry out their duties.
Over the years, Rundu has relied on the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) for traffic control and general law enforcement, as the town lacked its own fully-fledged municipal traffic unit.
While the Rundu Town Council had law enforcement officers responsible for bylaws, they operated with limited capacity, insufficient manpower, and no dedicated patrol vehicles.
Rapid population growth, increasing vehicle numbers, and rising road accidents made enforcement even more challenging.
Between 2021 and 2024, the Council began taking steps towards establishing a formal traffic unit, securing ministerial approvals, training officers, and gradually acquiring equipment.
The official launch of the Traffic Law Enforcement Unit now marks the first time Rundu has its own structured and operational traffic enforcement body, aligned with national legislation and supported by adequate resources.
