Criminal Justice In The Namibian Defence Force: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT 

The  Namibian  Defence  Force  (NDF)  is  18  years  in  existence  and,  like  any  other 

organization  is  responsible  for  the  maintenance  of  discipline  within  the  institution.  

However,  the  legal  system  of  the  NDF  contains  more  than  the  ordinary  disciplinary 

hearings as provided for in the Public Service Act, (Act 13 of 1995) and Labour Act, (Act 

6  of  1992)  as  it  has  jurisdiction  over  any  criminal  case.   This  study  is  initiated  by  the 

Permanent  Secretary  of  the Ministry  of  Defence  (P.  Shivute,  memorandum,  11  April 

2008), who required an  investigation  into  the administration of  justice within  the Force.  

This is to ensure that a fair justice system within the NDF is prevailing and that possible 

transgressors  are  ensured of  their  rights  to  a  fair  trial  as provided  for by  the Namibian 

Constitution and other applicable laws. 

Like most other defence forces, the NDF also has its own “legal system” within the force.  

In the case of the NDF it is provided for by the Defence Act, 2002 (Act 1 of 2002).  The 

Defence Act, 2002 and the Code provides for the establishment of military courts, as well 

as the pre-trial, trial and post-trial procedures.  The jurisdiction is limited to action against 

members of  the NDF  as well  as  certain  categories of people who  are,  according  to  the 

provisions of the Defence Act, 2002, subject to the Code.  

Almost  two  decades  of  existence  is  enough  justification  for  enquiry  to  assess  the 

application  of  the  legal  system  within  the  NDF.    In  order  to  determine  whether  the 

requirements  for  a  fair  trial  are  complied  with  the  main  research  objective  is  the 

investigation  into  the  justice  system  within  the  military  society  which  includes  the 

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specific procedures, the different authorities, the rights of an accused and the assurance of 

a speedy trial.  

The  administration  of  justice  within  the military  must  not  be  regarded  as  an  isolated 

system but must be seen as being subjected to the provisions of the civil justice system as 

well  as  the norms  set  for  the  society  as  a whole.   Therefore,  the  rules of  evidence  and 

general principles of fair trial and principles of justice as applied by the public courts also 

apply to military courts.