A devastated grandfather has taken the government and its officials to court, seeking compensation in the amount of N$10 million, for the death of his three-year-old grandchild, who was allegedly knocked down and killed by a vehicle in 2014.

Simon Nambuli, the grandfather, and Lesley Nambuli, the father of the deceased minor child, allege that the child’s death was caused by negligence of State or law enforcement officials.

The defendants are the government; the safety and security minister, Lucia Iipumbu; former home affairs minister Charles Namholo; and a driver cited as an employee of the government and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to Nambuli’s particulars of claim, on or about 16 December 2014, the second defendant, allegedly accompanied by others, struck and killed their relative, Nambuli Meriam Lipita.

Lipita was allegedly a three-year-old at the time of her death. “The collision was caused by the negligent and/or reckless driving of the police officers who failed to exercise reasonable care expected of a driver,” Nambuli claims.

He states that his family was left devastated “without any official communication, investigation outcome, or condolence from the authority.”

Nambuli further claims that the defendants had no legal right to cause the death of his grandchild and that their conduct was negligence and unlawful.

He alleges that the officers drove at excessive speed, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to avoid the collision, and drove without due regard for the safety of other road users.

According to Nambuli, the officer’s conduct was wrongful and violated constitutional rights relating to the protection of life and human dignity, as well as provisions of the Police Act concerning the lawful maintenance of order and the protection of life and property.

“Further, public policy, justice, and fairness demand that the state and its officials be held accountable for the unlawful death of a minor child caused by reckless driving of a government motor vehicle,” Nambuli claims.

He further alleges that the defendant’s failure to properly investigate the incident, communicate the outcome or provide any form of redress aggravated the harm suffered by the family.

As a result of the alleged unlawful conduct and the death of the minor child, Nambuli claims to have suffered damages, including loss of future support.

He claims that he had a reasonable expectation that the child, upon reaching adulthood and becoming economically active, would contribute financially to his maintenance and support.

He therefore claims that he was deprived of such prospective financial support and suffered damages as a result.

He claims to have suffered severe emotional shock, pain and psychological trauma, the full extent of which he continues to endure. As a result of the trauma, he alleges he was compelled to seek medical treatment and incurred, and still does to this day pay medical expenses.

He is claiming N$10 046 040.00 in general damages, surmising N$1 million for emotional shock, pain and suffering; N$3 million for loss of future support and N$6 million for grief, sorrow, and psychological trauma.

He is also claiming special damages of N$41 040 for funeral and burial expenses and N$5 000 for medical expenses incurred. The matter was scheduled for an interlocutory hearing on 31 August 2026, and no further information is available yet as to the outcome.