Text in Afrikaans / The broad focus of the thesis is an analysis of the meaning and the modern development of the doctrine of the separation of power (trias politica) and the application thereof in the constitutional development in South Africa. The first chapter outlines the historical restrictions that were placed on governmental authority by the trias politica doctrine. In the following chapter the application of the trias politica doctrine in different governmental systems (parliamentary, presidential and semipresidential) are analysed. In the third chapter an analysis is made of the constitutions of the former Boer republics, chronologically followed by an analysis of the 1909, 1961 and 1983 Constitutions, to establish to which extent the trias politica doctrine was incorporated in the respective constitutions. In the subsequent chapters, the focus shifts to the constitutions in the post democratic era, namely the 1993 interim Constitution and the 1996 (final) Constitution. It is evident that the new supreme Constitution and an independent judiciary yielded to a stronger adherence to the separation of power principle. It is also evident that the retainment of the parliamentary system, with a fused legislature and executive authority, inhibited a stronger separation of power. The inclusion of sosioeconomic rights in the Constitution resulted in a more direct involvement in governmental policy. However, the Constitutional Court managed to maintain a fine balance between reviewing policy and the formulation of policy. In the closing chapter a short summary is provided, followed by comments on possible alternatives to the existing system to ensure a stronger separation of powers. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. D. (Constitutional, International and Indigenous Law)

The main purpose of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 is to provide for fundamental reform of the law relating to water resources in South Africa. Section 3(1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA) stipulates that the national government, as the public trustee of the nation's water resources, must ensure the protection, use, development, conservation and management of water. Water must also be controlled in a sustainable and fair manner, to the advantage of all persons and in accordance with the national government`s constitutional mandate. Subsection (2) stipulates that the Minister is ultimately responsible to ensure that water is allocated and used in a fair manner, for the benefit of the public interest, while promoting environmental values. Subsection (3) further stipulates that the national government also has to regulate the use, flow and control of all water in the Republic. These provisions of the NWA gave birth to the concept of public trusteeship in the South African law. The NWA provides for a number of different water us rights; from water use rights for domestic purposes to water use rights for the purpose of agriculture. Considering the extent of the study of all the water use rights that exist within the provisions of the NWA, this research will focus on licensed water use rights intended for agriculture. In this study it will be determined whether these licensed water use rights form part of a person's estate. Furthermore, it will also be determined whether these rights are transferable and whether a value can be attached to these rights in the estate of a person. / Thesis (LL.M. (Estate Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

The main purpose of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 is to provide for fundamental reform of the law relating to water resources in South Africa. Section 3(1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 (NWA) stipulates that the national government, as the public trustee of the nation's water resources, must ensure the protection, use, development, conservation and management of water. Water must also be controlled in a sustainable and fair manner, to the advantage of all persons and in accordance with the national government`s constitutional mandate. Subsection (2) stipulates that the Minister is ultimately responsible to ensure that water is allocated and used in a fair manner, for the benefit of the public interest, while promoting environmental values. Subsection (3) further stipulates that the national government also has to regulate the use, flow and control of all water in the Republic. These provisions of the NWA gave birth to the concept of public trusteeship in the South African law. The NWA provides for a number of different water us rights; from water use rights for domestic purposes to water use rights for the purpose of agriculture. Considering the extent of the study of all the water use rights that exist within the provisions of the NWA, this research will focus on licensed water use rights intended for agriculture. In this study it will be determined whether these licensed water use rights form part of a person's estate. Furthermore, it will also be determined whether these rights are transferable and whether a value can be attached to these rights in the estate of a person. / Thesis (LL.M. (Estate Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Text in Afrikaans / The broad focus of the thesis is an analysis of the meaning and the modern development of the doctrine of the separation of power (trias politica) and the application thereof in the constitutional development in South Africa. The first chapter outlines the historical restrictions that were placed on governmental authority by the trias politica doctrine. In the following chapter the application of the trias politica doctrine in different governmental systems (parliamentary, presidential and semipresidential) are analysed. In the third chapter an analysis is made of the constitutions of the former Boer republics, chronologically followed by an analysis of the 1909, 1961 and 1983 Constitutions, to establish to which extent the trias politica doctrine was incorporated in the respective constitutions. In the subsequent chapters, the focus shifts to the constitutions in the post democratic era, namely the 1993 interim Constitution and the 1996 (final) Constitution. It is evident that the new supreme Constitution and an independent judiciary yielded to a stronger adherence to the separation of power principle. It is also evident that the retainment of the parliamentary system, with a fused legislature and executive authority, inhibited a stronger separation of power. The inclusion of sosioeconomic rights in the Constitution resulted in a more direct involvement in governmental policy. However, the Constitutional Court managed to maintain a fine balance between reviewing policy and the formulation of policy. In the closing chapter a short summary is provided, followed by comments on possible alternatives to the existing system to ensure a stronger separation of powers. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. D. (Constitutional, International and Indigenous Law)