Dead girl’s parents demand N$10m

The parents of a nine-year-old girl - who was run over by a Mariental farmer on his smallholding last May - are each demanding N$5 million as well as an additional N$10 000 in damages.

Elias Mupolo and Annemarie !Auchmus are the biological parents of Hendrina Mupolo and had to watch as Johan Meyer (51) allegedly hit their daughter with his vehicle. She later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.

They filed a civil case against Meyer in July 2022 in which they claim a total of N$10 million in damages.

Meyer opposed the case and said he does not owe the plaintiffs the amount demanded.

Parties appeared in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday for court-facilitated mediation.

Claims

In court papers, the parents claimed that they experienced severe trauma and emotional shock after witnessing the incident that led to their daughter's death. For that, each claimed damages of N$5 million.

They further argue that they both require psychological counselling, which will amount to N$50 000 per person.

They demand a further N$10 000 for Hendrina's funeral expenses.

Meyer free on bail

The incident took place on plot K11 at the Hardap scheme outside Mariental when Meyer allegedly caught Hendrina with her mother and other people while they were illegally digging for groundnuts.

It is alleged that Meyer chased them with his Toyota Land Cruiser. According to the police, he hit the girl in the process.

Meyer stands trial on a charge of culpable homicide and was released on bail of N$3 000 a few days after the incident.

He is married to the well-known senior state prosecutor in Mariental, Anita Meyer.

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