School sues former chairperson for N$500 000

Northcote Private School Oniipa's defamation case against the former chairperson of its school board was heard last week at the High Court’s northern division in Oshakati.

The school claims that Benedict Mulife wrote and widely distributed a complaint in Ondangwa in July 2022. The school is demanding N$500 000 in damages from Mulife and is requesting the court to order him to retract the statements.

Mulife allegedly accused the school of lacking the capacity to make decisions on administrative matters or being competent in handling issues.



Widespread allegations

He further alleged that the school unfairly dismissed 13 of its teachers and deliberately refused to pay some of its employees, claiming this was because they had reportedly joined a workers' union.

Mulife allegedly also approached popular local radio stations to broadcast the information contained in the complaint. The information was also given to a local newspaper that published it, the school informed the court.

“He also orchestrated the creation of a WhatsApp group that he used to spread further falsehoods about the school with the sole intention of damaging the school’s reputation,” the school alleges in court documents.

The school further argues that Mulife’s actions have caused such serious harm to the school’s reputation and business that they fear the school may lose many of its students to competing institutions in the area and elsewhere. The school called four witnesses to testify during the hearing, and Mulife called three.

The school is represented by Samuel Edegware, and Mulife is representing himself.

The hearing resumed last week and continued until Friday.



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