The composite right to meaningful and informed participation in the criminal process comprises the right to information, the right to understand, the right to be prepared, the right to be present, the right to confrontation and the right to present one’s case. The sub-rights are not of an overarching nature such as the right to legal representation and the right of access to the law. The various rights are grouped together because they show some connection with the ability of the suspect or the accused to participate in the criminal proceedings as a legal subject, and not as an object of the proceedings as in primitive times. These rights ensure that the accused will not participate in the criminal process from an unfavourable position. The heading ‟meaningful and informed participation” is therefore a collective term for these rights. These sub-rights form part of the comprehensive right to a fair trial. The thesis examines aspects of the position of the accused in South Africa and in foreign jurisdictions such as the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and Islamic systems. International instruments such as the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and decisions of the United Nations Human Rights Committee are also considered. The thesis first considers the historical perspective of the accused in primitive times when he was regarded as an object of the criminal proceedings, to the present time when he is regarded as a subject of the proceedings. The study on foreign jurisdictions reveals that for the most part, our law is in line with the law of other countries. The study also demonstrates that the various rights are not absolute. In exceptional circumstances, some diminution of the accused’s rights is necessary to protect the interests of society. Nevertheless, the courts should act cautiously and not allow the exceptions to overtake the rule. The judiciary should strive to find a better balance between the constitutional rights of the accused and the interests of society. To this end, the judicial system must be objective yet vigilant. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.D.

In this thesis, the common law crime of obstructing or defeating the course of justice as currently applied in South African law, is considered critically. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the ambit of the crime should be extended to target all conduct which undermines the proper administration of justice in South Africa. The interests protected by the crime are investigated, and those important constitutional values which underpin the crime, are identified. These values are: (i) constitutional supremacy (ii) the rule of law (iii) the doctrine of separation of powers, and (iv) the independence of the courts. In a post-constitutional era, the question raised is whether the crime as developed in the common law adequately protects these important democratic values. The historical background and development of the offence are discussed. This is followed by a comparative legal study which considers the existence and ambit of the offence in certain foreign jurisdictions. The foreign legal systems considered are England, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. The study reveals that the crime has been codified in most of these jurisdictions. Codification was driven by the need for legal certainty and compliance with constitutional imperatives. The study concludes that similar reform is necessary in South African criminal law. It is recommended that the common law offence of obstructing or defeating the course of justice be repealed and replaced with a comprehensive statutory offence which criminalises all manifestations of conduct which are intended to defeat or obstruct the proper administration of justice. The proposals are based upon the identified constitutional imperatives which underpin the crime. It is argued that the legislature is the proper institution to initiate reform in this regard. Detailed recommendations are made, which include draft legislation. / Law / LL.D.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sentencing practice of the military courts. Since an independent and impartial military judiciary is essential to ensure that justice is done a further aim of this study is to investigate whether the military courts are impartial, independent and affords the accused his fair trial rights. The sentences imposed by military courts are investigated and concerns regarding the imposition of these sentences are identified. Finally the appeal and review procedures followed by the military courts are investigated with specific reference to the military accused’s right appeal and review to a higher court as provided for by the Constitution. The sentencing phase of a trial forms an important part of the whole trial process. This is also true for military trials, yet no research has been done on military sentencing practice. Because of the potential influence of the draft Military Discipline Bill and the Law Reform Commission’s revision of the defence legislation on sentencing, research in this area is critical in the positive development of sentencing law in the military justice environment. An extensive literature study is undertaken to evaluate current military sentencing practices against civilian practices. The result of this study identifies certain concerns regarding the independence of the military courts, the treatment of military offenders and the appeal and review powers of the military reviewing authority. To a large extent it is also found that many concerns are based on the apparent rather than the existence of any real dangers to the independence of the military courts or the rights of the military accused. This thesis contributes to the accessibility of military law for a civilian audience, creating a platform for the development of future military sentences. / Jurisprudence / LLD

The role of Deterrence and Retribution in sentencing in South African Courts Since the early history of the existence of humanity punishment has been meted out to transgressors of the laws of society. Informal sanctions, including ostracism are imposed by members of society for social transgressions. Formal punishment is imposed by courts through a system of criminal justice. This dissertation deals with the concept of punishment. It considers the significance of the theories of punishment in the sentencing process with particular reference to deterrence and retribution, the philosophical rationale for their use and thus their role in sentencing. In this study the historical evolution of retribution is traced and the recognition accorded particularly to retribution and deterrence as well as reformation and prevention as penal objectives at various periods in history is examined. Case law has been cited to determine their recognition by judicial practice in criminal courts. The study also reflects on the criminal justice system's clients' perceptions on sentencing. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M.

The history of the criminal justice system in South Africa, in the last decade is a history dominated by the desire for change and transformation. It will be remembered that we are talking of a system which, in the past, formed part of the State apparatus of a minority government which included racist elements and highly restrictive legal regime in dealing with communities, crime and criminals. The criminal justice system is constituted by four core departments, namely: the South African Police Services; Department of Justice, Correctional Services and Welfare. The argument is whether the volunteers from the community should be involved at all in the fight against crime or not. Some people feel that a system· of justice should be controlled by professionals, who are accountable for their decisions, namely: the Police, Justice, and Correctional Services. However, the research revealed that a system which excludes the community from participating, will render itself ineffective and open to abuse. This topic should be further researched within each department in the criminal justice system in order to explore possibilities of attracting volunteers in the transformation of their respective departments. / Penology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Text in Afrikaans / In the past, witness statements obtained by or on behalf of a party to a criminal case were protected, from disclosure to the opponent, by privilege. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate whether such claims to privilege are justified and whether openness before and during the trial is not perhaps more important to the interests of justice. The disclosure of witness statements to the defence is a commonly recognized practice all over the world. This practice enhances openness before and during the criminal trial. The arguments against and in favor of such a practice are many, but investigation into these has shown that it is in the interests of justice to disclose such statements to the defence, rather than to deny access. Furthermore, the writer investigates whether it would be in the interests of justice to compel the defence to assist the court in determining the truth. / In die verlede is getuieverklarings wat deur of ten behoewe van 'n party tot 'n strafsaak bekom is deur privilegie beskerm, teen openbaarmaking aan die teenstander. Verskeie argumente is aangevoer om die beroep op getuieverklaring privilegie te regverdig. Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om ondersoek in te stel of sulke aansprake geregverdig is en of openheid voor en gedurende die verhoor nie meer belangrik vir die belang van geregtigheid is nie. Die openbaarmaking van getuieverklarings aan die verdediging is 'n algemeen erkende praktyk regoor die wereld. Hierdie praktyk bevorder openheid voor en tydens die strafverhoor. Die argumente vir en teen so 'n praktyk is baie en 'n ondersoek daarvan dui daarop dat dit in die belang van geregtigheid is om sulke verklarings aan die verdediging te openbaar, eerder as om toegang daartoe te weier. Die vraag is nou of dit nie ook in die belang van geregtigheid is dat die verdediging verplig word om die hof by te staan om die waarheid vas te stel nie. Ten slotte het die skrywer aan die hand gedoen dat partye tot 'n straf saak getuieverklarings gelyktydig voor die verhoor uitruil en ondersoek ingestel of so 'n praktyk in ooreenstemming met die Grondwet van Suid-Afrika 108 van 1996 kan wees. / 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 & Procedural Law / LL. M.

The abolition of corporal punishment in S v Williams and Others 1995 (3) SA 632 (CC) provided the state with the impetus to consider alternative sentencing options. Unsystematic efforts by the government to reform the juvenile justice system have failed abysmally. The government was forced to review its policies on juvenile sentencing. An examination of international trends reveals the imposition of stricter measures of punishment for serious and violent juvenile offenders. Community-based sentencing options are used mainly for first-time offenders. The focus has also shifted from punishment and retribution to prevention and treatment. It is advocated that serious and violent juvenile offenders be incarcerated in secure-care facilities and/or juvenile prisons and that community-based sentencing options be utilised for first-time offenders. The government should also design programmes that deal with situations that lead to crime and delinquency / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M. (Law)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling is 'n poging om 'n teoretiese-prinsipiele uiteensetting te gee omtrent voorvonnisevaluering vanuit 'n penologiese gesigspunt. Met voorvonnisevalueringsverslae word daar gepoog om op 'n sinlike manier beide positiewe en negatiewe elemente van die individuele oortreder se persoonlike- en maatskaplike agtergrond en huidige situasie aan die lig te bring naamlik kenmerke van sy gedragspatrone sowel van sy sterk en swak eienskappe. Die hoofdoel van voorvonnisevalueringsverslae en voorvonnisondersoeke is om regters, landdroste en howe behulpsaam te wees met die bepaling van 'n gepaste en ge"individualiseerde straf. Sonder basiese en deeglike kennis van die oortreder as persoon sal enige verhoorhof in die duister 'n vonnis ople en die kanse vir 'n gepaste straf sal skraal wees. Benewens die wesenlike groei en belangstelling in voorvonnisevelueringsverslae wat deur proefbeamptes of korrektiewe beamptes voorberei word pleit verskeie skrywers vir die gebruikmaking van hierdie evalueringsverslae in die strafregsplegingstelsel veral wat betref jeugdiges, eerste oortreders en ernstige oortreders. / The dissertation will attempt a theoretic fundamental exposition of the role of the presentence evaluation as seen from a penological perspective. With presentence evaluation they attempt to take into consideration the positive as well as the negative elements which are present in the individual's personal and social background for example their day-to-day behaviour. The main purpose of the presentence evaluation report and presentence investigation is to aid the judges, prosecutors and the court in determining a suitable and individualized punishment. Without basic and complete knowledge of the offender as a person the court will not be able to deliver fair judgements and the changes that a suitable punishment will be given is limited. Due to a positive interest in this presentence evaluation report several writers insist of making use of this evaluation report in the criminal law justice system especially where youth, first time offenders and major offenders are concerned. / Penology / M.A. (Penologie)

Text in Afrikaans / Die private persoon het sekere bevoegdhede betreffende die arrestasie en die gebruik van geweld tydens arrestasie van lede van die publiek wat misdade pleeg/gepleeg het. Hierdie bevoegdheid spruit uit sowel die gemenereg as die wettereg. Kragtens die Suid-Afrikaanse Strafproseswet word hierdie bevoegdhede gereel deur aa 42 en 49. Oewerbewoners as eienaars van grand is geregtig op die onverstoorde gebruik en genot van hulle eiendom. Daarteenoor is kanovaarders ook daarop geregtig om op openbare ri vi ere vir wedvaarte te oefen. Di t is egter belangrik om vas te stel of die portage van kano's op die oewer insidenteel is tot die reg om op die rivier te vaar. Ewewig moet bewerkstellig word tussen die botsende belange. Die Waterwet 54 van 1956 behoort gewysig en vereenvoudig te word, aangesien Suid-Afrika nie slegs op die RomeinsHollandse reg kan staatmaak nie - ons waterprobleme staan direk teenoor die van die Nederlande. / The private person has certain powers regarding the arrest and the use of force to effect the arrest of members of the public who have committed/are committing offences. These powers are derived from either common law or statutory law. In terms of the South African Criminal Procedure Act these powers are regulated by ss 42 and 49. Riparian owners are entitled to the undisturbed use and enjoyment of their property. On the other hand, canoeists are also entitled to practise on public rivers. It is important, however, to ascertain whether portage of canoes on the river bank is incidental to the right of canoeing on the river. A balance should be struck between these conflicting interests. The Water Act 54 of 1956 should be amended and simplified, since South Africa cannot rely on Roman Dutch law alone - our water problems are the complete opposite of those in the Netherlands. / Criminal & Procedural Law / LL.M. (Straf- en Strafprosesreg)