Sostenus Wilherm
The High Court has referred the N$2.2 million lawsuit brought by the grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Ingrid Maasdorp against the government to mediation, in a bid to determine whether the parties can settle the matter before it proceeds to trial.
Justice Hannelie Ueitele on Monday ordered the parties to attend a mediation referral hearing on 28 July 2026, unless they submit a draft mediation referral order by 24 July 2026.
The order marks the latest development in the civil lawsuit arising from the death of Ingrid Maasdorp, a Grade 0 learner at K W von Maree Combined School in Okahandja, who was allegedly kidnapped from the school premises in March 2025 before she was found murdered the following day.
The lawsuit was filed by Ingrid’s grandmother and legal caregiver, Dolly Maasdorp, who is claiming N$2.2 million from the state.
Maasdorp argues that the government, through the ministry of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, failed in its legal duty to protect learners while they were under the care and supervision of a government school.
She alleges that Ingrid was unlawfully abducted from the school on 20 March 2025 and was found dead on 21 March 2025.
According to the claim, the school principal, teachers, support staff, and security personnel had a legal obligation to ensure the safety of learners and to control access to the school premises to prevent foreseeable dangers, including kidnapping.
The lawsuit alleges that the government was negligent by failing to provide a safe learning environment and by failing to protect the child from harm while she was under the school’s supervision.
Maasdorp further claims that Ingrid’s death caused her severe emotional shock and psychological trauma. She is seeking N200,000 for future psychological counselling. She is also claiming interest, legal costs, and any further relief the court considers appropriate.
Monday’s order does not determine the merits of the case but requires the parties to first explore mediation before the matter can proceed through the normal trial process.
If mediation is successful, the dispute could be resolved without a full trial. Should the parties fail to reach an agreement, the matter is expected to return to the High Court for litigation.
The government’s defence has not yet been tested in court, and the allegations contained in Maasdorp’s particulars of claim remain allegations at this stage.
