Niël Terblanché
Namibia’s Chief Justice Peter Shivute has called for the introduction of plea bargaining in the Namibian court system, describing it as a principle that should have been introduced a long time ago.
Justice Shivute made these remarks while welcoming Uganda’s Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo at the Supreme Court in Windhoek during a courtesy visit on Friday.
This visit by a Ugandan delegation, organized in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to explore Namibia’s biomass and charcoal industry, served as an opportunity for the two nations to exchange insights on their respective judicial systems.
“Plea bargaining, also known as a plea deal, allows defendants in criminal cases to plead guilty or no contest to charges in exchange for concessions from prosecutors, often resulting in reduced charges or lighter sentences,” Justice Shivute said.
Justice Shivute extolled the potential benefits of such an arrangement for Namibia, particularly in addressing the persistent backlog of cases that hampers the efficiency of the judicial process.
“Far from being perceived as letting an accused person off the hook, plea bargaining greatly assists courts to expeditiously dispose of criminal cases,” he said.
He added that the Ugandan judiciary has made significant strides in implementing plea bargaining, and Namibia is eager to learn from their experiences.
Justice Shivute expressed his interest in deepening these collaborative efforts, proposing an official visit by Uganda’s Chief Justice to Namibia.
“Such a visit would provide an opportunity to explore these areas of mutual interest in greater depth, and I sincerely hope that this invitation will be met favourably,” he added.
The visit by Uganda’s chief justice is a demonstration of the warm relations between the two judiciaries, built on a shared commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.
Justice Shivute lauded Uganda’s leadership in establishing the Africa Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ACJAF), which aims to enhance judicial reforms, reduce case backlogs, and promote efficient administration of justice across Africa.
“I wish to express my gratitude for your vision, leadership, and commitment in founding this organization,” he said while pointing to Namibia’s active participation in ACJAF.
The Ugandan delegation’s visit was not limited to judicial matters but also included exploration of Namibia’s advanced biomass and charcoal industry, a sector recognized for its contributions to environmental sustainability and economic development.
“Namibia’s efforts in this area serve as a vital contribution to environmental sustainability and economic development, and I trust your tour has been both enlightening and productive,” Justice Shivute said.
The Chief Justice expressed hope that Uganda’s experience with plea bargaining would inspire meaningful reforms in Namibia’s judiciary.
He also said such exchanges could strengthen collaboration and mutual enrichment between African nations.
“May the bonds between our judiciaries continue to grow, fostering greater collaboration and mutual enrichment in the years to come,” he concluded.
