School register for Maasdorp’s last day missing

Teachers at KW von Marees Primary School in Okahandja have informed the education ministry that the official attendance register for the day five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp disappeared cannot be found.The admission is contained in an affidavit submitted to court by the education ministry's chief industrial relations officer and human resources practitioner Johannes Egumbo, dated 2 November.It was filed in response to a High Court request for documents relating to Ingrid’s disappearance and death in March 2025.“I wish to submit that the attendance register book cannot be found. The teacher responsible for grade 0 of the K W von Marees Primary School informed the defendant that she left the book on the table,” Egumbo said.His affidavit says the teacher never returned to school after Ingrid’s disappearance and murder, and the relief teacher who took over her duties could not account for the missing register.The disclosure forms part of an N$2.2 million civil lawsuit against the government by Ingrid’s grandmother, Dolly Maasdorp, who alleges negligence and failure to safeguard the child.Ingrid, a Grade 0 learner at the school, disappeared on 20 March 2025 after her grandfather dropped her off at school.Her body was found the next afternoon in a tunnel beneath a bridge in Veddersdal, Okahandja.According to her grandmother’s civil claim, the school failed to provide adequate supervision and security on the morning she disappeared.A close family friend, who said she was unaware that the attendance book was missing, questioned how such a record could disappear.No principal's reportThe same affidavit acknowledges that the school’s principal did not investigate Ingrid’s activities at school on the day of her disappearance, while an internal report compiled by the Okahandja Education Circuit Inspectorate is reportedly being withheld on grounds of confidentiality and privilege.The admission followed a request by the family's lawyer, Norman Tjombe, for reports prepared by the principal and submitted to education authorities in accordance with regulations under the Basic Education Act.Egumbo said government was still attempting to locate directives that might have been issued by the principal under the regulations.He also indicated that the principal could not trace her communication with the education director's office.Government indicated that an email from the inspector of education to the chief education officer was available and would be provided to the family.In October, police announced a breakthrough in their investigations into the murders of Ingrid and another young Okahandja victim, Roswinds Fabianu.An 18-year-old suspect was arrested and appeared before the Okahandja Magistrate's Court.

School register for Maasdorp’s last day missing

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

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School register for Maasdorp’s last day missing

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

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