Sostenus Wilherm
The long-running legal dispute between Namdeb Diamond Corporation and former tenant Nadia Elizabeth Van Rooyen has moved to the taxation stage, with the High Court set to determine the legal costs arising from the matter on Monday, 13 July.
According to a taxation notice filed by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, the matter is scheduled to be heard before the Taxing Master at the High Court in Windhoek.
Court documents show that Namdeb instituted legal proceedings against Van Rooyen in 2023, seeking the cancellation of a residential lease agreement, payment of N$83,844.48 in alleged outstanding rental, interest, eviction from the property and legal costs.
The claim stems from a lease agreement concluded between the parties for a residential property situated at 57 First Avenue, Oranjemund.
According to Namdeb, the lease agreement required the tenant to pay monthly rent in advance and comply with the conditions of occupation.
The company alleges that Van Rooyen fell into arrears with her rental payments and remained in breach of the lease agreement despite receiving a letter of demand.
Court papers state that Namdeb issued a formal demand in December 2021, calling on the defendant to settle the outstanding rental, failing which legal action would follow.
The company contends that the breach was never remedied, prompting it to cancel the lease agreement and institute proceedings in the High Court.
In addition to recovering the outstanding rental, Namdeb sought an eviction order on the grounds that Van Rooyen no longer had a legal right to occupy the property after the cancellation of the lease.
The company also requested interest on the outstanding amount and legal costs on the attorney-and-own-client scale, as provided for in the lease agreement.
The matter has now progressed to the taxation of costs, a court process in which the Taxing Master examines and determines whether the legal fees and disbursements claimed by the successful party are reasonable and recoverable.
An affidavit of service filed by candidate legal practitioner Josephine Jessica Haman states that on 3 July 2026, she served the taxation notice and bill of costs on Van Rooyen by email.
“I confirm that on this 03rd day of July 2026 at 09h11, I duly served the following documents: Taxation Notice and Bill of Costs via means of email correspondence to Nadia Elizabeth Van Rooyen,” the affidavit reads.
The affidavit further states that the contents of the taxation notice were explained to the defendant both by email and telephonically.
An email attached to the court papers informed Van Rooyen that she was entitled to attend the taxation proceedings and object to any of the costs claimed by Namdeb.
“Should you wish to object to any costs claimed, you are at liberty to be present at the taxation scheduled for 13 July 2026 at 15h30 at the High Court, where you may raise your objections,” the email reads.
