Our Criminal Law has experienced a new defence which was developed by our Courts, known as the defence of non-pathological criminal incapacity. This defence is grounded in the acceptance that the affective function, along with the cognitive and conative functions of a person, is to be considered to determine capacity of an accused. When the defence is raised the capacity of an accused person is not considered in the context of a person suffering from mental illness or mental defect. The South African society is characterised, like so many other, by rampant and violent domestic violence. In many of these cases, the consequences are fatal. Women are generally at the receiving end of domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence suffer various forms of trauma including emotional, physical and psychological as a result of abuse. When this abuse is protracted these victims are generally classified as battered women. These intimate killings by abused victims of their abusers have seen them rely on this defence. The extent this defence is relied on could be distinguished by the killings in situations confrontational and non-confrontational where the basis for the reliance is not of a mental nature. Recourse and ultimate acquittal for these victims turned accused exists in some foreign jurisprudence. In the matter of S v Eadie 2002 (1) SACR 663 (SCA) the Supreme Court took a swipe at provocation and the manner in which the Courts applied the principles thereof which consequently has an effect on the defence of non-pathological criminal incapacity. This judgment prevails and the stare decisis rule apply in the absence of a contrary ruling. This dissertation considers inter alia the origin, development through the cases, the validity of the defence, the position of the battered woman and concludes with its finding that the judgment in S v Eadie supra does not exclude such victims turned accused from reliance on this defence. Copyright / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Public Law / unrestricted

It is common knowledge that owing to their particular vulnerability children worldwide falls prey to physical and/or sexual violence in the home and/or community or witness criminal acts. Consequently children are called upon to testify in a court of law to cruelties or acts of violence. As a result of their developmental shortcomings and immaturity, children find the criminal justice system extremely intimidating and challenging. The importance of realising a justice system that not only affords an accused person the right to a fair trial but also protects and safeguards the rights of the child victims of and witnesses to the crime is thus indisputable. The purpose of this research was therefore to assist the South African criminal justice system in its on-going challenge to find a balance between the right of the accused person to a fair trial and the protection and safeguarding of the rights of child victims and child witnesses. The protection and safeguarding of the rights of child victims and child witnesses in terms of the South African Constitution, applicable domestic law and international instruments relating thereto were extensively discussed and shortcomings identified. Possible solutions to ensure that child witnesses and child victims are adequately protected and supported during the trial stage of the criminal process were advanced. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of an intermediary in assisting child victims and child witnesses during the court process. Comparative research on the protection of child victims and child witnesses in the criminal justice systems of New Zealand and Namibia were also conducted. Conclusions drawn from comparative studies were used to recommend appropriate changes to the current system. It is submitted that the adequate protection and safeguarding of the rights of child victims and child witnesses are dependent not only on sound legal principles but also on governmental and other involved stakeholders’ commitment toward the realisation of these rights. In order to give proper effect to the protection and safeguarding of child victims’ and child witnesses’ rights, it is proposed that the recommendations made throughout this study should be adopted and implemented. In this regard the role of an intermediary is crucial and the use of intermediaries should be promoted. / Private Law / LL.D.