Compensation In Murder Cases: Owambo Customary Law

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement i

Table of contents ii

Abbreviations vii

Table of cases viii

Abstract x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1. Background to the study 1

1.1 General introduction 1

1.2 Definition of the problem 3

1.3 Objectives 6

1.4 Research methodology and approach 7

1.4.1 Qualitative Method 7

1.4.2 Preparation Stage 8

1.4.3 Selection of the Interviewees 10

1.4.4 The Interview Situation 11

1.4.5 Analysis of Results 12

1.5 Limitation and scope of the study 12

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1.6 Limitation of the study 14

1.6.1 Choice of Geographical Area 14

1.6.2 Where do Ovawambo live in Namibia? 15

CHAPTER TWO: THE HISTORICAL OVERVIEWOF THE LEGAL SYSTEMS

OF LAW IN NAMIBIA

2.1 Introduction 17

2.1.1 A brief history of Namibia 18

2.1.2 Namibia during the German Rule 19

2.1.3 The History of Namibia during the South African Rule 19

2.1.4 The history of Namibia after Independence 22

CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW

3. 1 Introduction 26

3.2 Definition of Concepts 27

3.2.1 Definition of Compensation 27

3.2.2 Definition of Punishment 29

3.2.3 Definition of the Term Fine 32

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3.3 The Purpose 33

3.3.1 The Purpose of Compensation Payment 33

3.3.1.1 What is paid? 35

3.3.1.2 Who pays? 40

3.3.1.3 Who benefits? 43

3.3.2 The Purpose of Punishment 45

3.3.3 The Purpose of a Fine 49

3.4 The Distinction between Compensation, Punishment and a Court Fine 50

3.5 The award of Compensation by the Community Courts 55

3.5.1 Is Compensation a Punishment? 56

3.5.2 When can it be said an Offender is double punished? 62

3.6 The Law 78

3.6.1 The Constitution 79

3.6.2 The Criminal Procedure Act 82

3.6.3 The Community Courts Act 84

3.7 Jurisdiction 85

3.8 Summary 88

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CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

4. Introduction 90

4.1 Analysis 90

4.2 The findings 91

4.2.1 The Concepts 91

4.2.2 Customary Law Compensation Payment 95

4.3 Jurisdiction 96

4.4 The Weakness of both Legal Systems 98

4.4.1 The Weakness of Community Courts System 98

4.4.2 The Weakness of the State Machineries 100

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMEDATIONS

5. 1 CONCLUSIONS 102

5.2 RECOMEDATIONS 105

5.2.1 The Role of the Victims 105

5.2.2 The Offenders’ Constitutional Rights in Community Courts 107

5.2.3 Preservation of Customary Law Compensation 108

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Bibliography 110

Books 110

Manual and Law Journal/ Articles 114

Legislation 116

Appendix 1 117

Appendix 2 120

Schedule “A” 126

Schedule “B” 127

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