Namibia Case Law

Midway Recovery and Transport CC v Heigauseb (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 5125 of 2019)

Midway Recovery and Transport CC v Heigauseb (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 5125 of 2019) [2021] NAHCMD 604 (30 July 2021)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 5125 of 2019

The court found that the plaintiff’s driver, Mr. Goliath, failed to keep a proper lookout and reversed onto the road without due regard for other road users, creating a sudden emergency for the defendant. The defendant’s version was found more probable, and his actions were consistent with those of a reasonable driver in the circumstances. The collision was caused solely by the negligence of the plaintiff’s driver, with no contributory negligence on the part of the defendant.

Source excerpt

• Negligence
• Motor vehicle collision
• Duty of care
• Proper lookout
• Burden of proof
• Emergency doctrine

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Namibia News Distributors (Pty) Ltd v Kashe (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 1553 of 2018)

Namibia News Distributors (Pty) Ltd v Kashe (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 1553 of 2018) [2020] NAHCMD 538 (23 November 2020)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL- 1553 of 2018

The High Court granted absolution from the instance after finding the plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case in a vehicle-collision damages claim.

• Absolution from the instance
• Negligence
• Motor vehicle collision
• Prima facie case
• Absolution-from-the-instance
• Prima-facie-case

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Western Insurance and Another v Swartbooi (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL 3118 of 2017)

Western Insurance and Another v Swartbooi (HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL 3118 of 2017) [2019] NAHCMD 544 (6 December 2019)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

HC-MD-CIV-ACT-DEL 3118 of 2017

The High Court found the defendant solely caused a bridge collision and awarded the plaintiffs damages, while dismissing the defendant’s counterclaim.

• Motor vehicle collision
• Negligence
• Insurance indemnity
• Damages
• Counterclaim
• Burden of proof

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Gear Transport CC v Springbok Touring of Namibia (Pty) Ltd (3961 of 2014)

Gear Transport CC v Springbok Touring of Namibia (Pty) Ltd (3961 of 2014) [2019] NAHCMD 233 (8 July 2019)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

3961 of 2014

High Court delict claim over a fatal bus-truck collision. The court preferred the plaintiff’s version, found the defendant’s driver negligent, and dismissed the counterclaim.

• Negligence
• Apportionment of damages
• Expert evidence
• Motor vehicle collision
• Apportionment-of-damages
• Expert-evidence

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Awases v Smith (1272 of 2016)

Awases v Smith (1272 of 2016) [2017] NAHCMD 277 (5 October 2017)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

1272 of 2016

High Court motor vehicle collision trial finding defendant negligent where his vehicle crossed into the plaintiff’s lane. Claim granted, counterclaim dismissed.

• Motor vehicle collision
• Negligence
• Damages
• Standard of care
• Evidence
• Counterclaim

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Delie v Hoebeb (2498 of 2013)

Delie v Hoebeb (2498 of 2013) [2014] NAHCMD 271 (18 September 2014)

Court

High Court Main Division

Case number

2498 of 2013

The court held the defendant solely negligent in a motor vehicle collision after speeding, illegal overtaking, and losing control on a public road.

• Negligence
• Motor vehicle collision
• Duty of care
• Contributory negligence
• Motor-vehicle-collision
• Contributory-negligence

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Kasuto v Transnamib Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Another (417 of 2005)

Kasuto v Transnamib Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Another (417 of 2005) [2007] NAHC 97 (15 March 2007)

Court

High Court

Case number

417 of 2005

The High Court of Namibia held a driver negligent for turning right across oncoming traffic at a robot-controlled intersection without a proper lookout.

• Negligence
• Vicarious liability
• Motor vehicle collision
• Duty of care
• Right of way
• Motor-vehicle-collision

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