Strategic Direction

The statement of purpose in the new Act, establishes some new responsibilities for the Fund and a change from the way the Fund previously provided support. The broad strategic direction has now changed. Underlying the provisions of the new Act is a fundamental legal change. Previously, the Fund was required to follow a strict and rigid legal framework; it has now moved to be a user friendly administrator dispensing benefits defined in the Act.

But of greater importance, the Fund now operates a “no fault” system of entitlement to benefits for emergency transport and initial stabilizing medical treatment. Thus all people injured in a motor vehicle, regardless of the cause, are entitled to equal emergency transport and stabilizing medical care. Treatment beyond that point is subject to some exclusions and limitations linked to the cause of the accident.

The new Act also provides some specific new responsibilities for the Fund.

First, the Fund now carries a strong mandate to contribute to Namibia’s accident and injury prevention programs. This new approach will require the Fund to develop close collaboration with a wide range of government, community, medical and rehabilitation groups to ensure Namibia’s roads are safer places to drive.

The second change has been one of focus. The Fund now has a clear responsibility to provide medical treatment and rehabilitation for those injured in motor vehicle accidents. This is in sharp contrast to the past which has a focus on lump sum cash payments rather than medical care and rehabilitation support. In meeting these new needs, the Fund will be required to develop close partnerships with experts in these fields to encourage development of the best facilities and care for speedy treatment and rehabilitation of those injured in motor vehicle accidents.

The Role and Purpose of the Fund

The Fund’s key role is detailed in the Act No 10 of 2007, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund Act, 2007 which sets out the purposes and functions of the Fund are to:

• Design, develop, promote and implement motor vehicle accident and injury prevention measures.
• Fairly and reasonably provide assistance and benefits to a person who is injured in a motor vehicle accident.
• Fairly and reasonably provide assistance and benefits to a person who suffers loss as a dependent of a person killed in a motor vehicle accident.
• Reasonably indemnify the driver and owner of a vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident from claims for loss or damage arising on account of injury or death caused by the motor vehicle accident.

At a practical level, the Fund manages the application of the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund legislation. Its key role is to prevent motor vehicle accidents and the injuries which these cause, treat injuries where these occur, and rehabilitate people back to work or independence as far and as soon as practicable and, where appropriate, to support those who have ongoing needs. The Fund engages other organizations and agencies to work with it to discharge these functions.

Amongst those which partner its efforts are:

• In the fields of accident and injury prevention, the Fund leads programmes and activities in which other government agencies and community organizations participate to make roads a safer place for travelers in Namibia.
• For those injured in motor vehicle accidents, the Fund has established lasting relationships with emergency transport and health care agencies and organizations to provide speedy and quality care and treatment.
• Health care and support services which assist in rehabilitating those injured to enable them to return to productive participation in the local communities.

In addition to this, the Fund directly provides injury grants, social services and financial support (including funeral expenses) to meet the needs of dependents of those who have been injured or died as the result of a motor vehicle accident. The focus in all cases is to ensure speedy and quality care and for those who have been injured, rehabilitation support.

Strategic Focus Areas

Over the next 5 years, the Fund will focus on three core Strategic Focus Areas. Together, they will provide a solid base for the Fund to continue growing but above all, will ensure the needs of Namibians are met and the social and economic misery resulting from motor vehicle accidents is minimized.

For simplicity, the Focus Areas have been numbered. All are important and are closely inter-related. The order does not define priority – they must all be achieved to ensure the ongoing success and sustainability required to meet the future needs of Namibians.

The Fund’s Strategic Focus Areas are:

Strategic Focus Area 1:

Coordinating effective accident and injury prevention.

Strategic Focus Area 2:

Ensuring the Fund provides effective transport, treatment and rehabilitation focused on returning people to productive life.

Strategic Focus Area 3:

Operational excellence and high public confidence.


This Strategic Plan defines the priorities which the Fund will follow to meet these challenges and the other environmental and customer needs of the next 5 years.