Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan Parliament approved this Wednesday, in general, the proposed law on the crimes of vandalizing public goods and services, which provides for heavy penalties in response to the increased level of these acts in the country in recent years.
The diploma, a legislative initiative by the Executive, was approved with 182 votes in favor, none against and without abstentions, during the 6th Ordinary Plenary Meeting of the V Legislature.
In the document, the Executive proposes penalties of up to 25 years for crimes of vandalizing public property, in response to the sharp increase in this phenomenon in recent years.
Throughout the debate, in general, legislators were unanimous in defending heavy penalties for this phenomenon, pointing out the increase in the level of vandalism across the country in recent years.
According to the proposal, the destruction of a public asset or the disruption of a public service can be punished with a prison sentence of five to 10 years, establishing a penalty of ten to 15 years in prison for the promotion of vandalism and, if it involves infrastructure of transport, an increase to 20 to 25 years.
The diploma establishes penalties of between three and eight years in prison for anyone who attacks the security of public goods and services, such as disclosing security information or threatening to destroy public property, with the punishment being aggravated by a third if there is actual danger. to life or physical integrity.
It also provides for penalties for the illegal transformation and export of public goods, from ten to 15 years, and for the receipt of public goods from six to 12 years.
According to the reasoning, actions of vandalization of public goods and services have been increasing exponentially, transforming into frequent behaviors with inestimable social, economic and financial losses, which affect energy, water, gas, fuel and means of public transport.
Declarations of vote
Deputy Pedro de Morais Neto, from the MPLA, justified his vote in favor of the proposal “by understanding the immense need for our society and our country to have this legal instrument adjusted to our socio-political and economic reality”.
“We voted in favor because we are aware that there needs to be a more proactive and energetic response to this evil than grace in our society.” she creased.
On the other hand, deputy Joel Pacheco, from the UNITA parliamentary group, said that they voted in favor of the legal instrument because they believe the time has come to put an end to harmful conduct that attacks public goods and services.
“We vote in favor so that the debate in the specialty can enrich the diploma, taking into account the need to look at other angles that we believe to be important, such as the probable causes that encourage this behavior and study other equally necessary ways to put I pay for this evil”, he stressed.
Representative Rui Malopa Miguel, from PRS, said it was necessary to combat the practices, conduct and behavior of citizens that harm the public interest.
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