The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal that could change how parole is applied to life-sentenced prisoners. 

The case involves Thomas Florin, who was convicted of murdering and cooking his wife, Monika Florin, in Swakopmund in December, 1999.

At the time he committed the crimes, Namibia’s parole laws allowed prisoners serving life sentences to apply for parole after ten years. However, new laws passed after his sentencing changed parole rules.

Under the Correctional Service Act, life-sentenced prisoners must now serve at least 25 years before they can be considered for parole.

Florin argues that because he committed his crimes under the previous law, he should be considered for parole under that law.

However, the government maintains that the law in effect at the time of sentencing, not the time of the crime, determines parole eligibility. Since Florin was sentenced in December 1999, after the 1959 Act was repealed, the government says he must follow the new rules.

Last year, Florin took his case to the High Court, asking to be considered for parole and challenging the new law as unconstitutional, but the High Court ruled against him in April.

Florin is now appealing this decision to the Supreme Court. The case is scheduled to be heard on March 5.