CASE NO.CR.94/96 and
CR 95/96

IN THE HIGH COURT OF NAMIBIA

THE STATE
versus
ALFRED URI-KHOB

(HIGH COURT REVIEW CASE NO.   1919/96)

THE STATE
versus
PETRUS PLAATJIES
(HIGH COURT REVIEW CASE NO.   1920/96)
CORAM:	STRYDOM,   J.P.   et FRANK,   J.
Delivered on:      1996.06.19

REVIEW JUDGMENT
FRANK,  J. :	These  are  two  review matters.     In both the
matters the accused were convicted of the possession of dagga or cannabis contrary to the provisions of section 2(b) of Act 41 of 1971. Both accused were convicted pursuant to pleas of guilty and the resultant questioning in terms of section 112(1) (b) . Both were first offenders and both were sentenced to seven months imprisonment. In the Uri-Khob case the quantity involved was 10 grams and in the Plaatjies case it was 45 grams.

In  the   Plaatjies   case   the   accused,   a  43   year  old  male, indicated that he was employed and could pay a fine whereas in the Uri-Khob matter the 24 year old male accused did not place anything about his ability to pay a fine before Court. He did however state that he was unemployed.

The general rule is that first offenders convicted of the
possession of a relatively small quantity of dagga are not
sentenced to imprisonment without an alternative if at all
possible. In general a first offender faces a fine with
imprisonment     as     the    alternative.	Where     a    fine     is
inappropriate a suspended sentence of imprisonment is normally imposed.

As both the accused were sentenced on 5th June, 1996 they have already served part of the sentence imposed and I therefore do not consider the imposition of a fine.

In the result in both matters the sentences are set aside and substituted with the following sentence:

FRANK,   JUDGE

Each accused is sentenced to four (4) months imprisonment three (3) whereof are suspended for three (3) years on condition that the accused is not convicted of contravening section 2(b) of Act 41 of 1971 committed within the period of suspension.

STRYDOM,   JUDGE-PRESIDENT

I agree