The family of murdered Ingrid Maasdorp (5) has filed a N$2.2-million civil claim against the government, accusing the state of negligence over the girl’s kidnapping and murder at a school at Okahandja last year.
The case, filed in the High Court yesterday, claims the government failed its statutory duty of protecting the school and pupils.
In a witness statement dated 12 October, Dollie Maasdorp alleges that the government failed to ensure the safety of pupils at KW von Marees Combined School, where Ingrid was enrolled in the pre-primary section.
Ingrid disappeared from the school on 20 March 2025.
Her body was found under a bridge near the A1 road, about 200m from the school hostel, the following day.
Ingrid allegedly left school accompanied by a slender person wearing a beanie on his or her head, a hoodie and maroon tracksuit pants.
Dollie claims the school failed to provide adequate supervision and security on the morning Ingrid disappeared.
“Had the school ensured her safety, she would still be alive today. I established that the security guard was not on duty the morning of 20 March 2025,” she says.
She claims the school’s security guard only reported for duty after 08h00 because of rains that day.
The school principal was also reportedly absent, while Ingrid’s class teacher arrived after 08h00 only, leaving pupils outside a locked classroom.
Maasdorp says the school gate was left open after 07h00, which she says allowed anyone access to the premises without security controls.
“Had the school ensured her safety, she would still be alive today,” Dollie says.
When Ingrid’s body was found, it was allegedly brutalised.
“It was the most terrible sight ever. I couldn’t stop crying,” Dollie says.
Ingrid was reportedly taken to school by her grandfather before she went missing. When her family went to collect her at around midday, they found the school gates locked and could not locate her.
The family searched for Ingrid and contacted teachers before, but Dollie claims she was denied information. She then threatened legal action against the school for failing to tell parents the school was closed on the day of the incident.
The family has now filed legal action in court.
KW von Marees Primary School principal Josefina Shangula in a response letter dated 20 August told Dollie the school is waiting for guidance and permission from the Otjozondjupa Regional Council education director to share information.
Two other girls, Roswinds Fabianu (6) and Beyonce Kharuxas (15), were also murdered at Okahandja last year.
Meanwhile, the police yesterday announced that suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman and two girls at Okahandja. They have not indicated who the girls are.
Okahandja human rights activist Sethy Gariseb yesterday said: “We need closure for the families of those innocent victims, and we hope this means more mystery cases in the Okahandja district will be solved, including the body of a young man not found in the Ovitoto mountains.”
He says the community hopes justice will prevail.
