Namibia Red Cross Act, 1991 (Act 16 of 1991)

Government Gazette no. 313
This is the latest version of this legislation commenced on 07 Dec 1991.
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Namibia Red Cross Act, 1991

Act 16 of 1991

  • Published in Government Gazette no. 313 on 7 December 1991

  • Assented to on 28 November 1991

  • Commenced on 7 December 1991

  • [This is the version of this document from 7 December 1991 and includes any amendments published up to 6 October 2022.]


ACTTo accord recognition to the Namibia Red Cross Society as the only Red Cross Society in Namibia; to prohibit the unauthorised use of the name or emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.

BE IT ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Republic of Namibia, as follows:-

1. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates -“Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross” means the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross proclaimed by the Twentieth International Conference of the Red Cross held in Vienna in 1965, and which are -(a)humanity;(b)impartiality;(c)neutrality;(d)indepencence;[The word “independence” is misspelt in the Government Gazette, as reproduced above.](e)voluntary service;(f)unity;(g)universality;“Geneva Conventions” means the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, being -(a)the First Geneva Convention, for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick in armed forces in the field;(b)the Second Geneva Convention, for the amelioration of the condition of wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea;(c)the Third Geneva Convention, relative to the treatment of prisoners of war; and(d)the Fourth Geneva Convention, relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war;“Namibia Red Cross” means the association existing under that name on the date of commencement of this Act, and incorporated in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act 61 of 1973) under reference number 21/79/115.[The Companies Act 61 of 1973 has been replaced by the Companies Act 28 of 2004, but Act 61 of 1973 is the correct historical reference here.]

2. Recognition of Namibia Red Cross

(1)The Namibia Red Cross is hereby recognised as a voluntary aid society, auxiliary to the public authorities, for the purposes of the Geneva Conventions, the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross, and otherwise.
(2)The independent and voluntary nature of the Namibia Red Cross shall at all times be respected in accordance with the resolution relating to National Red Cross Societies adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 19 November 1946.
(3)The Namibia Red Cross shall be the only Red Cross Society in Namibia.
(4)The provisions of this section shall bind the State.

3. Use of name and emblem

(1)No person other than the Namibia Red Cross shall without its consent use in connection with any trade or business or for any other purpose whatsoever -
(a)the name of the Namibia Red Cross or any other name in which the expression “Red Cross”, “Geneva Cross” or “Red Crescent” appears or which corresponds in such a manner therewith that it could be misleading;
(b)the emblem used by Red Cross Societies or Red Crescent Societies in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, consisting of a red cross or red crescent on a white ground.
(2)Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R1 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

4. Short title

This Act shall be called the Namibia Red Cross Act, 1991.