Justicia Shipena
The High Court has given Linden Beef Close Corporation, owned by David van der Linden, more time to fight off liquidation.
High Court acting judge Andrew Corbett extended the provisional order against the company to 3 October 2025.
Van der Linden, who is already linked to the disappearance of 400 Meatco cattle worth about N$7 million from his Linden Beef Feedlot, faces additional financial trouble.
Bank Windhoek is seeking to liquidate his company over N$28.8 million in unpaid loans dating back to 2022.
A provisional liquidation order was granted in August, but Van der Linden, who has been in custody since June awaiting trial in a separate criminal matter, asked the court for more time to consult his lawyers and prepare arguments.
When the case was heard on 29 August, Linden Beef’s lawyer appeared for the first time and told the court that Van der Linden wanted to oppose the final liquidation.
The lawyer argued that his client’s incarceration had prevented timely consultations. Bank Windhoek’s lawyer objected, saying the company had already had sufficient time to file its papers and accused Van der Linden of delaying the matter.
Corbett said the court could not ignore the right to a fair trial. He noted that no formal evidence explaining the delay had been filed but accepted that Van der Linden’s imprisonment limited his ability to act.
He ruled that Linden Beef should be given a chance to apply for condonation, which would excuse the late filings.
Strict deadlines were set and Linden Beef must now file its condonation application by 8 September.
Corbett has given Bank Windhoek until 22 September to respond, and Linden Beef must reply by 29 September.
The matter will be heard on 3 October and costs from the 29 August hearing will be decided at that time.
Van der Linden’s troubles extend beyond the courtroom. In May, police arrested him and two others after discovering a N$52 million dagga plantation near Hochfeld. Earlier this year, Meatco accused him of being linked to the disappearance of hundreds of its cattle.
In a 25 June 2025 letter, then-acting Meatco chief executive officer Patrick Liebenberg confirmed to the ministry of trade that there was a shortage of Meatco cattle at Linden Beef, though he did not specify numbers.
Meatco had contracted Linden Beef to feed animals from communal buying days south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence commonly known as the redline until they were ready for slaughter at Meatco’s Windhoek abattoir. The animals reportedly went missing in May.
For now, Linden Beef remains under provisional liquidation, with a liquidator already appointed to safeguard its assets while Van der Linden tries to prevent his company from being wound up.
