MUN leader killed in crashStray animals, wildlife taking their toll Car accidents involving stray animals are a cause of concern to the MVA Fund. The president of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia, Raimo Hausiku, became the most recent road user killed in an animal-related car crash on Namibian roads. Hausiku, 35, died on the road between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Monday night around 20:30 when the car he was travelling in struck a kudu.
According to the union’s deputy secretary-general Paul Shitumba, he was travelling from Tsumeb where he had been doing renovations at a regional office for the union.
The accident took place about 70 km south of Otjiwarongo.
Shitumba said that Hausiku was traveling with the union’s vice-secretary for the western region Regina Nambahu and the union driver Gerson Tjipueja, both who survived the accident.
Hausiku died on the scene.
Shitumba said that it is a very sad moment for the union and that they are still trying to come to terms with the events.
“Namibia has been robbed of a good and vibrant leader.”
He described Hausiku as a humble person that was very active in youth leadership and added that he was instrumental in ending the prolonged strike at Rosh Pinah that lasted nearly two months.
“There is still a lot of shock,” he said.
This accident brings the total of fatalities on the roads due to animal-related causes to 12 this year.
According to statistics provided by the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund between the period of 1 January and 6 November, five people were killed and 116 injured in 112 in animal-related crashes.
These figures exclude the recent accident on the Windhoek-Rehoboth road where six people were killed and 18 others were injured and the latest accident on Monday night.
The statistics indicate that crashes involving animals represent 3.2% of the 3 472 crashes while animal-related crash fatalities represent 1% of the 579 fatalities recorded during that period.
A spokesperson for the MVA Fund, Kapena Tjombonde, told Namibian Sun that even if animal-related crashes are not that significant compared to other crash types, the dangers involved cannot be ruled out.
The statistics indicate that the Otjozondjupa Region recorded the highest animal-related crashes, representing 30%, with Oshikoto recording 13% and Hardap 9%.
According to the statistics, the Zambezi Region has recorded no animal-related crashes so far this year, while Oshana, Ohangwena, //Karas and Kunene each accounted for 4% of the total crashes.
The statistics show that 63% of the animal-related crashes happened between 16:00 and 23:59.
Tjombonde said according to the Namibian Road Traffic and Transport Regulations of 2001 a person may not leave or allow any cow, horse, donkey, mule, sheep, goat, pig or ostrich in a section of a public road that is fenced on both sides.
The regulation further says that a person may not leave an animal in a place from where it may stray onto that section of a public road.
He added that the regulation also states that any person in charge of an animal on a public road must tend to the animal in such a manner as not to constitute an obstruction or danger to other traffic.
A traffic officer may take charge of an animal on a public road if it constitutes a danger.
“Domestic animals can be tagged with reflective ear tags to increase visibility, especially at night, and drivers are urged to be responsive and attentive to road information signs to reduce risks on the road,” said Tjombonde.
ELLANIE SMIT