By: Mathias Hangala
The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has invested N$141,000 in the acquisition of four Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, which were officially handed over to the City of Windhoek (CoW) on Friday.
Speaking at the handover event, MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer Rosalia Martin-Hausiku said the collaboration was driven by the high number of road crashes recorded in Windhoek.
She emphasised that saving lives contributes directly to Namibia’s socio-economic growth, particularly as the affected group, those aged between 21 and 44, forms part of the economically active population.
“The CEO of the City mentioned that Windhoek is among the highest, if not the leading, in terms of crashes. I can confirm that, based on the statistics we collect, over 70% of crashes occur in the Khomas Region, with the majority in the City of Windhoek. That is why it made sense to begin this partnership here,” she said.
Although the number of cameras is relatively small, Martin-Hausiku noted that their impact is expected to be significant due to their advanced capabilities.
She added that the MVA Fund is committed to embracing technology to enhance its operations and fulfil its vision of becoming a global centre of excellence in providing a safety net.
“Our goal is to sustain this vision, and that requires strong partnerships with the City of Windhoek and other local authorities. This is only the beginning. As the city moves towards becoming a smart city, smart partnerships will be essential,” she stated.
Martin-Hausiku explained that the cameras will serve a dual purpose, supporting both crime surveillance and road safety monitoring.
At the same event, City of Windhoek Chief Executive Officer Moses Matyayi said the initiative would strengthen the monitoring and prevention efforts related to vehicle movement across the city, ultimately improving residents’ quality of life given Windhoek’s approximately 400,000 registered vehicles, making such interventions necessary.
“The collaboration between the City of Windhoek and the MVA Fund demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships. We share a common mandate to promote road safety and reduce the tragic loss of life caused by road crashes. Working together will enable us to address these challenges in a coordinated and effective manner,” remarked Matyayi.
Windhoek Mayor Sakarias Uunona described the initiative as a milestone in enhancing public safety. He said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to transform Windhoek into a smart, inclusive, and sustainable city by 2027.
“This partnership represents proactive steps towards reducing road accidents and fostering safer streets. By integrating these cameras into our surveillance network, we equip our officers with critical tools to prevent incidents and protect lives,” said Uunona.
He added that the cameras will be strategically installed at high-risk intersections and accident hotspots to monitor traffic and improve response efforts.
Attendees were informed that the cameras are already in use and equipped with advanced features such as number plate recognition, which will assist in solving cases such as hit-and-run incidents.
City Police head Leevi Ileka also highlighted that the cameras will play a crucial role in providing evidence for court proceedings, thereby aiding resolution of cases and strengthening law enforcement efforts on the roads.
