Defence Act, 1957 (Act No. 44 of 1957)

Schedules

First Schedule

19. Disobeying lawful commands or orders
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(1)Any person who in wilful defiance of authority disobeys any lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his duty, whether orally, in writing or by signal, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction, if he committed the offence while on service, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, and in any other case to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.

 

(2)Any person who disobeys any lawful command given by his superior officer, in circumstances not amounting to an offence under subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.

 

(3)Any person who disobeys any lawful direction of the commander of any aircraft or vessels in which he is being conveyed, whether such commander is a member of any armed force or a civilian, and irrespective of the rank or status of such commander, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year.

 

(4)Any person who, being a patient in any hospital, wilfully disobeys any lawful direction concerning his hospital or medical treatment, given to him by any member of the hospital staff within whose hospital duty and authority it is to give such a direction, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.

 

(5)Any person who neglects to obey any unit, formation or force order of which it is his duty to have knowledge, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months.