“Since 28 August 2024, Angola has had Law No. 13/24 of 28 August, which criminalises crimes of vandalism of public property, as a way of dealing with behaviours of destruction, damage and theft of public property, as well as the disruption or frustration of the provision of public services, for which the repressive measures in force do not sufficiently inhibit their offenders. The preamble of the aforementioned law states that “crimes of vandalism have caused significant losses to the State, putting the sustainability of public investment at risk”, a situation that has long called for more serious measures in order to discourage the practice of these crimes. Furthermore, it seems to us that the Vandalism Crimes Act also seeks to safeguard the provision of facilitators, transformers and promoters, who are active agents and drivers of the commission of these crimes in this type of crime, given the fact that the Penal Code does not provide for these figures for some types of crime. Despite the merits that can be recognised in this legal instrument, it is not a sound legislative technique, as it allows for regulatory dispersion, which is not advisable. It is recommended that the process of drafting laws be preceded by exhaustive studies, in order to allow for the provision, with the minimum possible margin of error, of all conduct that should be classified as unlawful.

*Costa & Castro Advogados*