Nekundi 'no-show' leaves 16 000-signature speed hump petition undelivered
Tensions flared on Windhoek's Western Bypass on Saturday after Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi failed to appear for a planned petition handover, prompting motorists to threaten further action, including a possible highway shutdown. The demonstration, organised by activists and concerned motorists, took place along the Western Bypass where protesters voiced frustration over controversial speed humps installed on the B1 highway.
Protest coordinator Michael Amushelelo said the purpose of the demonstration was to pressure the government to remove what he described as dangerous and unsuitable traffic-calming measures on a major arterial route. "We are here to demonstrate against the illegal installation of speed humps," he said. "These humps are not supposed to be on any freeway or highway."
Amushelelo said a petition containing more than 16,000 signatures was meant to be handed directly to Nekundi. "We notified him on Monday. We expected the minister to come and receive the petition," he said. "But he did not show up." According to organisers, the minister's absence meant the petition could not be delivered.
The Ministry of Works and Transport had not responded to questions sent by Network Media Hub regarding Nekundi's absence by the time of publication.
Amushelelo further argued that the speed humps pose both safety and financial risks to motorists. "We are not joking around. These are people's lives that are being put in danger," he said. "Any given day, this road is a trap for road users."
He also questioned why alternative pedestrian safety measures had not been prioritised. "We motorists pay for road usage. Why is it so complex to build a bridge overhead so pedestrians can cross safely?" he asked. Earlier on Saturday, an accident was reported near the Windhoek Country Club on the Western Bypass. Amushelelo linked the crash to the speed humps. "There was another accident this morning. That accident could have been fatal," he said. "What caused it? These speed humps."
The protest was initially expected to continue until 18h00, but police conditions reportedly required demonstrators to conclude the gathering by 11h00. A court order obtained late on Friday had allowed the protest to continue until 13h00. A protest organiser, who requested anonymity, warned that motorists could escalate their actions following the minister's absence.
"We are very disappointed with the minister's non-attendance," she said. "We had planned options: either we go under police escort to his office to deliver the petition, or we block the road in an act of civil disobedience." "We are planning a complete shutdown soon," she added.
Supporters of the speed humps, however, maintain that the installations are necessary to protect pedestrians and curb speeding along the route. "Removing speed humps will not automatically eliminate accidents," one motorist said. "The solution lies in changing driving behaviour and obeying road rules."
