Submitted by jhortolani on
NAMIBIA
Title:
State v. Likuwa
Court:
High Court of Namibia
Citation:
1999 (2) SACR 44 (Nm)
Date:
24 March 1999
Instrument(s) Cited:
Arms and Ammunition Act 1996 (Namibia), Sections 9(1)(a), 38(2)(a)
Constitution of Namibia 1990, Article 8(2)(b)
Case Summary:
Background:
The applicant, a farmer and first-time offender, was charged with possession of an AK47 rifle. As the offence carried a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment the applicant was sentenced accordingly. The applicant appealed to the High Court claiming that the minimum sentence violated his constitutional rights arguing that the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years' imprisonment constituted either inhuman or cruel punishment.
Issue and resolution:
Mandatory minimum sentences. Whether the imposition of a minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment was proportionate to the crime. The Court found the imposition of a minimum ten-year sentence to be grossly disproportionate and allowed the appeal.
Court reasoning:
The Court held that a mandatory minimum sentence is not automatically unconstitutional, unless the punishment is disproportionate to the crime. The Court argued that the minimum sentence of ten years for carrying an AK47 rifle was aimed at the import, supply and possession of AK47s for use in combat; however, it also captured arms possession for non-combat purposes such as protection of property and persons. Imposing a minimum sentence without distinguishing the nature of the crime the Court found resulted in unacceptably harsh sentences for unintentional violations.
Impact:
Section 38(2)(a) was struck down from the Arms and Ammunition Act to the extent that it provided for a minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment
Notes:
The case has been cited by numerous judicial decisions and academic articles to support the idea that laws with mandatory minimum sentences must distinguish the nature of the crime and be proportionate.
For more information on the issue of inhuman sentencing of children, including a selection of case law, please see CRIN's 'Inhuman sentencing' campaign.
Link to Full Judgment:
Available on request.
This case summary is provided by the Child Rights International Network for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
