Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / 'n Kort elementologiese uiteensetting vir strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid word gevolg deur bewysregtelike begrippe wat van toepassing is op vermoedens by toerekeningsvatbaarheid. Die historiese regsposisie asook die ontwikkeling in die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse reg met betrekking tot geestesongesteldes, kinders en persone wat 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid insluit, word bespreek. Daar word gekonsentreer op ·die ontwikkeling van 'n algemene verweer van niepatologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid. Die konstitusionele reg, vennoedens en ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid word aan die hand van Suid-Afrikaanse regspraak en die Interim Grondwet bespreek. Daar word na buitelandse reg gekyk ten einde 'n aanbeveling te kan maak wat grondwetlik nie sal indruis op die reg van die individu tot onskuld nie. 'n Algemene verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningvatbaarheid word onderstellll mits dit met omsigtigheid deur die howe benader word. Die arbitrere ouderdomsgrens vir vasstelling van toerekeningsvatbaarheid by kinders word gekritiseer en 'n verhoorbaarheidvasstellingseenheid word aanbeveel. / A short elementological discussion of criminal responsibility is followed by concepts of law of evidence that is applicable to presumptions of accountability. The historical legal position as well as the development in the current South African law and the present legal position with reference to the mentally disturbed children and persons with a defence of non-pathological unaccountability are included and discussed. The constitutional law, presumptions and unaccountablility are discussed with reference to the South African case law and the Interim Constitution. Foreign law is perused so that a recommendation could be made that would not interfere with the rights of the individual to be deemed innocent. A general defence of non-pathological unaccountability is supported if it is treated with the necessary circumspection by the courts. The arbitrary age boundaries for the determination of accountability in children is critized and a unit to determine trialability for pathological and non-pathological accountability is recommended. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M.

Since the pre-requisites for common-purpose liability where there was no prior agreement were laid down in S V Mgedezi 1989 (1) SA 687 (A), the appellate division has moved to resolve related controversial issues. These include the question whether a joiner-in is a perpetrator or accomplice, and whether he should be convicted of murder or attempted murder. It is the question of dissociation which has remained elusive. Courts accept that a person should only be criminally liable when his dissociation from a common purpose takes place after the commencement of execution stage is reached. My submission is that whether one dissociates himself should be a question of fact, to be determined according to the circumstances of each case. Such determination should pay close attention to the doctrine of proximity. Where a person played a minor role, or acted under the influence of a dominant partner, this should be reflected in the punishment imposed. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M. (Criminal & Procedural Law)

Thesis (LLM)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to determine standards or criteria to be used when deciding on the optimal use of the criminal sanction and to evaluate the efficacy of such criteria by applying them to an existing crime, namely incest. Since criminal punishment necessarily impacts negatively on the human rights of those subject to it, it is submitted that it should only be used as a last resort where it is absolutely necessary to do so. Relevant constitutional provisions and other legal sources are examined and used as the basis for expounding a test for determining the circumstances under which it is appropriate to criminalise. It is argued that the decision to utilise the criminal sanction may be tested against certain guidelines: the state bears the burden of showing, firstly, that the rationale of the crime in question is theoretically justifiable in that criminalisation serves a worthy state purpose; and secondly, that criminalisation is reasonable, being both practically desirable and effective in achieving legitimate state goals in the least restrictive manner possible. In the second part of the thesis, the proposed criteria are applied to the common law crime of incest. An initial discussion of the crime indicates that a wide range of conduct is punishable as incest, including both extremely harmful conduct, such as the rape of a child by her father, and completely innocuous behaviour, for instance private sexual intercourse between consenting adults who are merely related by marriage. Next, an attempt is made to ascertain the true rationale for criminalising incest and then to establish whether such rationale is justifiable. The conclusion is reached that despite there being good grounds for punishing certain manifestations of incest, the only reason for imposing criminal punishment that is valid in all instances, is the unconvincing contention that the state is justified in prohibiting incest merely because incest is regarded as morally abhorrent. And even assuming that targeting and preventing undesirable forms of harmful or offensive conduct is a justifiable purpose of the incest prohibition, it is nevertheless submitted that criminalising incest is unreasonable, since the crime as it is presently formulated is both over- and under-inclusive for the effective realisation of any praiseworthy aims. After testing incest against the criteria developed, the recommendation is made that incest be decriminalised. It is contended that there are sufficient alternative criminal prohibitions available that would adequately punish harmful incestuous conduct without simultaneously unreasonably limiting the rights of consenting adults to choose their sexual (or marriage) partner without state interference. Decriminalisation would not only prevent potential violations of human rights, but the legitimacy of the criminal justice system as a whole would be considerably enhanced if it were apparent that the criminal sanction was reserved for conduct truly deserving of punishment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die oogmerk van hierdie studie is om standaarde of riglyne daar te stel ter aanwending waar besluit word oor die optimale benutting van die strafsanksie, asook om die doeltreffendheid van sulke riglyne vas te stel deur die toepassing daarvan op 'n bestaande misdaad, naamlik bloedskande. Aangesien straf altyd 'n nadelige uitwerking op die menseregte van dié wat daaraan onderhewig is, het, word aan die hand gedoen dat dit slegs as 'n laaste uitweg aangewend moet word indien absoluut noodsaaklik. Ondersoek word ingestel na toepaslike grondwetlike bepalings en ander regsbronne, wat gebruik word as grondslag vir 'n toets ten einde te bepaalonder welke omstandighede kriminalisasie gepas is. Daar word aan die hand gedoen dat die besluit om gebruik te maak van 'n strafsanksie teen sekere riglyne getoets kan word. Die staat dra die bewyslas om aan te toon, eerstens, dat die bestaansrede vir die betrokke misdaad teoreties regverdigbaar is aangesien krimininalisasie 'n waardige staatsdoel dien; en tweedens, dat kriminalisasie redelik is, aangesien dit prakties wenslik is, asook die staat se legitieme doelwitte dien op effektiewe wyse op die mees onbeperkende wyse moontlik. In die tweede gedeelte van die verhandeling word die voorgestelde riglyne op die gemeenregtelike misdaad bloedskande toegepas. 'n Aanvanklike bespreking van die misdaad dui daarop dat die trefwydte van bloedskande sodanig is dat dit gedrag insluit wat uiters benadelend is, soos byvoorbeeld die verkragting van 'n kind deur haar vader, maar ook heeltemal onskadelike optrede soos byvoorbeeld geslagsverkeer tussen toestemmende volwassenes wat bloot aanverwante is. Die volgende stap is om die ware bestaansrede vir die verbod op bloedskande vas te stel en daarna te oorweeg of sodanige bestaansrede regverdigbaar is. Die gevolgtrekking is dat alhoewel daar goeie gronde vir die bestrawwing van sekere verskyningsvorme van bloedskande is, die enigste altyd-geldende rede vir strafoplegging in hierdie verband die onoortuigende bewering dat bloedskande moreelonverdraaglik beskou word, is. Selfs al word daar aanvaar dat die identifikasie en voorkoming van onwenslike verskyningsvorme van skadelike of aanstootlike gedrag 'n regverdigbare doel vir die bloedskandeverbod is, voer die skrywer nie te min aan dat die kriminalisasie van bloedskande onredelik is omrede die huidige misdaadomskrywing tegelykertyd beide oor- en onder- inklusief is om einge moontlike goeie doelwitte effektief te bereik. Nadat bloedskande getoets word teen die riglyne wat ontwikkel is, word aanbeveel dat bloedskande gedekriminaliseer word. Daar word aan die hand gedoen dat daar genoegsame alternatiewe strafbepalings is wat aangewend kan word om skadelike gedrag wat onder die misdaad bloedskande resorteer te bestraf sonder dat die regte van toestemmende volwassenes om sonder staatsinmenging hul seksuele- (of huweliks-) maat te kies onredelik ingeperk word. Dekriminalisasie sal nie slegs moontlike menseregteskendings voorkom nie, maar ook die legitimiteit van die strafregstelsel as geheel bevorder deurdat dit duidelik blyk dat die strafsankie reserveer word vir optrede wat werklik straf verdien.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / 'n Kort elementologiese uiteensetting vir strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid word gevolg deur bewysregtelike begrippe wat van toepassing is op vermoedens by toerekeningsvatbaarheid. Die historiese regsposisie asook die ontwikkeling in die huidige Suid-Afrikaanse reg met betrekking tot geestesongesteldes, kinders en persone wat 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid insluit, word bespreek. Daar word gekonsentreer op ·die ontwikkeling van 'n algemene verweer van niepatologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid. Die konstitusionele reg, vennoedens en ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid word aan die hand van Suid-Afrikaanse regspraak en die Interim Grondwet bespreek. Daar word na buitelandse reg gekyk ten einde 'n aanbeveling te kan maak wat grondwetlik nie sal indruis op die reg van die individu tot onskuld nie. 'n Algemene verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningvatbaarheid word onderstellll mits dit met omsigtigheid deur die howe benader word. Die arbitrere ouderdomsgrens vir vasstelling van toerekeningsvatbaarheid by kinders word gekritiseer en 'n verhoorbaarheidvasstellingseenheid word aanbeveel. / A short elementological discussion of criminal responsibility is followed by concepts of law of evidence that is applicable to presumptions of accountability. The historical legal position as well as the development in the current South African law and the present legal position with reference to the mentally disturbed children and persons with a defence of non-pathological unaccountability are included and discussed. The constitutional law, presumptions and unaccountablility are discussed with reference to the South African case law and the Interim Constitution. Foreign law is perused so that a recommendation could be made that would not interfere with the rights of the individual to be deemed innocent. A general defence of non-pathological unaccountability is supported if it is treated with the necessary circumspection by the courts. The arbitrary age boundaries for the determination of accountability in children is critized and a unit to determine trialability for pathological and non-pathological accountability is recommended. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.M.

Since the pre-requisites for common-purpose liability where there was no prior agreement were laid down in S V Mgedezi 1989 (1) SA 687 (A), the appellate division has moved to resolve related controversial issues. These include the question whether a joiner-in is a perpetrator or accomplice, and whether he should be convicted of murder or attempted murder. It is the question of dissociation which has remained elusive. Courts accept that a person should only be criminally liable when his dissociation from a common purpose takes place after the commencement of execution stage is reached. My submission is that whether one dissociates himself should be a question of fact, to be determined according to the circumstances of each case. Such determination should pay close attention to the doctrine of proximity. Where a person played a minor role, or acted under the influence of a dominant partner, this should be reflected in the punishment imposed. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.M. (Criminal & Procedural Law)

Text in Afrikaans / Die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid in die Suid-Afrikaanse strafreg word bespreek. Hierdie verweer is van onlangse oorsprong en verskil van die verwere van ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid as gevolg van jeugdigheid en geestesongesteldheid soos in artikel 78(1) van die Strafproseswet 51 van 1977 uiteengesit word. Die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid dek gevalle waar dit deur faktore soos emosionele spanning veroorsaak is. Hierdie verweer staan ook as die algemene ontoerekeningsvatbaarheidsverweer bekend. In 'n aantal beslissings, soos onder andere, S v Arnold 1985 (3) SA 256 (C); S v Campher 1987 (1) SA 940 (A) en S v Chretien 1981 (1) SA 1097 (A), word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid wei in die Suid-Afrikaanse strafreg bestaansreg het. Ten einde met 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid te slaag, is die blote ipse dixit van die beskuldigde onvoldoende. 'n Behoorlike grondslag vir die verweer moet gele word. Die bewyslas in die geval van 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid word bespreek. / The defence of non-pathological criminal incapacity in the South African criminal law is discussed. It is a relatively new defence and should be distinguished from the defences such as youth and mental illness set out in section 78(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. This defence covers cases in which criminal capacity is excluded by factors such as intoxication and emotional stress. It is also known as a general defence of criminal incapacity. In a number of cases, inter alia in S v Arnold 1985(3) SA 256 (C); S v Campher 1987 (1) SA 940 (A) and S v Chretien 1981 (1) SA 1 097 (A) the conclusion is reached that the defence, non-pathological criminal incapacity, does have a right of existence in the South African criminal law. In order to successfully raise the defence on non-pathological criminal incapacity, the mere ipse dixit of the accused is insufficient. A proper foundation for the defence must be laid. The onus of proof is discussed. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL. M.

Text in Afrikaans / Die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid in die Suid-Afrikaanse strafreg word bespreek. Hierdie verweer is van onlangse oorsprong en verskil van die verwere van ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid as gevolg van jeugdigheid en geestesongesteldheid soos in artikel 78(1) van die Strafproseswet 51 van 1977 uiteengesit word. Die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid dek gevalle waar dit deur faktore soos emosionele spanning veroorsaak is. Hierdie verweer staan ook as die algemene ontoerekeningsvatbaarheidsverweer bekend. In 'n aantal beslissings, soos onder andere, S v Arnold 1985 (3) SA 256 (C); S v Campher 1987 (1) SA 940 (A) en S v Chretien 1981 (1) SA 1097 (A), word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid wei in die Suid-Afrikaanse strafreg bestaansreg het. Ten einde met 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid te slaag, is die blote ipse dixit van die beskuldigde onvoldoende. 'n Behoorlike grondslag vir die verweer moet gele word. Die bewyslas in die geval van 'n verweer van nie-patologiese ontoerekeningsvatbaarheid word bespreek. / The defence of non-pathological criminal incapacity in the South African criminal law is discussed. It is a relatively new defence and should be distinguished from the defences such as youth and mental illness set out in section 78(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. This defence covers cases in which criminal capacity is excluded by factors such as intoxication and emotional stress. It is also known as a general defence of criminal incapacity. In a number of cases, inter alia in S v Arnold 1985(3) SA 256 (C); S v Campher 1987 (1) SA 940 (A) and S v Chretien 1981 (1) SA 1 097 (A) the conclusion is reached that the defence, non-pathological criminal incapacity, does have a right of existence in the South African criminal law. In order to successfully raise the defence on non-pathological criminal incapacity, the mere ipse dixit of the accused is insufficient. A proper foundation for the defence must be laid. The onus of proof is discussed. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL. M.

An accused cannot be held criminally liable by a court until he is considered to be culpable, a process which entails establishing criminal capacity and intention (dolus) or negligence (culpa). Determining a perpetrator’s necessary intent in the form of dolus eventualis has proved to be a predicament in South African jurisprudence. This type of intent occurs when a person does not aim to cause the unlawful act, however, he subjectively foresees the likelihood that in pursuing with his conduct, the unlawful result will possibly happen, and he reconciles himself to this possibility. The problem with this form of intention, especially where the death of another is caused recklessly, is, amongst others, reservations as to whether the perpetrator’s foresight was of a real, reasonable or a remote possibility. This research examines the imperatives and rationale for preceding and current interpretations and applications of dolus eventualis and associate concepts in South African as well as in selected foreign legal frameworks in order to provide a comprehensive perspective on the subject. In this regard, the study challenges conflicting judgments on the application of dolus eventualis in domestic courts, especially as regards homicide- and putative private defence cases, amongst others. It is evidenced that in case law concerning dolus eventualis, legal rules were not properly articulated when determining this type of criminal intent. In this investigation, the legislative framework applicable to dolus eventualis under international law is also critically evaluated with the aim of facilitating the comprehension of this element in South African law. As the concept of dolus eventualis is an indispensable concept in South African criminal law, recommendations are proposed on the application and interpretation of dolus eventualis suitable to the South African landscape, which includes possible law reform. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL. D. (Criminal and Procedural Law)

In this project the various International Instruments, namely the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child; 1989, the Beijing Rules and the African Charter, relating to the guidelines of the establishment of a minimum age for criminal capacity are furnished. The developments regarding the issue of criminal capacity since 1998 in Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong are highlighted. The historical position and the current position in South African law with regard to the issue of criminal capacity are discussed as well as the implementation thereof by our courts. The statistics on children under 14 years in prison over the past five years are furnished. The introduction of the Child Justice Bill, 2002 by Parliament and the deliberations following the introduction, focusing on the issue of criminal capacity is highlighted. The proposed provisions of the Child Justice Bill, 49 of 2002 codifying the present common law presumptions and the raising of the minimum age for criminal capacity are furnished. The evaluation of criminal capacity and the important factors to be assessed are discussed as provided for in the Child Justice Bill, 49 of 2002. A practical illustration of a case where the criminal capacity of a child offender was considered by the court is, discussed and other important developmental factors that should also be taken into consideration by the court are identified and discussed. Important issues relating to criminal capacity, namely, time and number of assessments, testimonial competency of the child offender, evolving capacities and age determination are discussed and possible problems identified and some solutions offered. The research included an 11-question questionnaire to various professionals working in field of child justice regarding the issue of criminal capacity and the evaluation thereof. / Criminal and Procedural law / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)

A brief analysis of South African Law relating to intoxication as a defence prior to 1988 is given. This is followed by an in-depth discussion and evaluation of the statutory crime created by section 1 (1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1 of 1988. Various points of criticism against the wording of section 1 (1) as well as the problems with regard to its application in practice are set out. In conclusion a draft for a new, more effective wording for section 1 (1) is given / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M. (Criminal & Procedural Law)