SOUTH AFRICAN LAW COMMISSION REPORT …

1 -1- SOUTH AFRICAN LAW COMMISSIONREPORTPROJECT 101 THE APPLICATION OF THE bill OF RIGHTS TO criminal PROCEDURE, criminal LAW, THE LAW OF EVIDENCE AND SENTENCINGMAY 2001-iii-TO DR PM MADUNA, MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTI am honoured to submit to you in terms of section 7(1) of the SOUTH AFRICAN Law CommissionAct, 1973 (Act 19 of 1973), for your consideration the COMMISSION s REPORT on the application ofthe bill of rights to criminal procedure, criminal law, the law of evidence and Y MOKGORO CHAIRPERSON: SA LAW COMMISSIONMAY 2001-iv-INTRODUCTIONThe SOUTH AFRICAN Law COMMISSION was established by the SOUTH AFRICAN Law COMMISSION Act,1973 (Act 19 of 1973).

2 The members of the COMMISSION are -The Honourable Madam Justice Y Mokgoro (Chairperson)The Honourable Mr Justice CT Howie The Honourable Madam Justice L MailulaProfessor IP Maithufi (Full Time Member)Adv J J Gauntlett SCProfessor CE HoexterMs Z SeedatMr P MojapeloThe Secretary is Mr W Henegan. The COMMISSION 's offices are on the 12th floor, SanlamCentre C/o Andries and Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Correspondence should be addressed to:The SecretarySouth AFRICAN Law CommissionPrivate Bag X 668 PRETORIA0001 Telephone: (012) 322-6440 Telefax: (012) 320-0936E-mail: site : project leader responsible for this project is the Honourable Mr Justice LTC COMMISSION would like to express its appreciation to the GTZ and its project manager, MrR Pfaff, for the technical and financial assistance rendered in this investigation.

3 The page numbers refer to the hard copy and may differ in electronic versions-v-CONTENTSPAGEINTRODUCTION(iv)L IST OF SOURCES(xx)LIST OF CASES(xxiii)EXECUTIVE SUMMARY(xxix)CHAPTER 11 ORIGIN OF THE INVESTIGATION AND SOME1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKSBACKGROUND1 CHAPTER 23 PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE bill OF RIGHTS TO PROVISIONS OF THE criminal PROCEDURE ACT3 INTRODUCTION3 THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE AND CLUSTER OF ASSOCIATED RIGHTS3 The scope of the presumption of innocence3 Identifying infringements of the presumption of innocence4 Canada4-vi- SOUTH Africa5 Measuring the cases against the limitations clause7 SECTION 55(2) & (3)(A) - FAILURE OF ACCUSED TO APPEAR ON SUMMONS ( )

4 12 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION13 COMMENTS13 RECOMMENDATION13 SUBSECTIONS 60(11)(A) AND (B): BAIL APPLICATION OFACCUSED IN COURT ( )14 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION14 COMMENTS14 RECOMMENDATION14 SUBSECTION 67(2)(a) : FAILURE OF ACCUSED ON BAIL TO APPEAR ( )14 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION15 COMMENTS15 RECOMMENDATION15 SECTION 68: CANCELLATION OF BAIL ( )15-vii-PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION15 COMMENTS16 RECOMMENDATION16 SUBSECTION 72(4): ACCUSED MAY BE RELEASED ON WARNING IN LIEU OF BAIL ( )16 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION16 COMMENTS16 RECOMMENDATION17 SUBSECTION 74(7): PARENT OR GUARDIAN UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS TO ATTEND PROCEEDINGS ( )17 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION17 COMMENTS17 RECOMMENDATION18 SECTION 78(1A) & 78(1B) MENTAL ILLNESS OR MENTAL DEFECT AND criminal RESPONSIBILITY ( )18 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION20 COMMENTS20 RECOMMENDATION22 SECTION 90.

5 CHARGE NEED NOT SPECIFY OR NEGATIVE-viii-EXCEPTION, EXEMPTION, PROVISO, EXCUSE OR QUALIFICATION ( ) 22 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION23 COMMENTS23 RECOMMENDATION24 SECTION 101: S 319(3) OF ACT 56 OF 1955 ( )24 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION25 COMMENTS25 RECOMMENDATION25 SECTION 151 ACCUSED MAY ADDRESS COURT AND ADDUCE EVIDENCE ( )26 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION26 COMMENTS27 RECOMMENDATION27 SECTION 170 FAILURE OF ACCUSED TO APPEAR AFTERADJOURNMENT ( ) 27 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION28 COMMENTS28 RECOMMENDATION29-ix-SECTION 174 ACCUSED MAY BE DISCHARGED ATCLOSE OF CASE FOR PROSECUTION ( )

6 30 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION34 COMMENTS35 RECOMMENDATION36 SECTION 212 PROOF OF CERTAIN FACTS BY AFFIDAVIT OR CERTIFICATE ( ) 36 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION36 COMMENTS37 RECOMMENDATION37 SECTION 217 ADMISSIBILITY OF CONFESSION BY ACCUSED ( )37 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION37 COMMENTS37 RECOMMENDATION38 SECTION 219A ADMISSIBILITY OF ADMISSION BY ACCUSED ( )38 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION38 COMMENTS39 RECOMMENDATION39-x-GENERAL COMMENT REGARDING ADMISSIONS AND CONFESSIONS ( )39 SECTION 237 EVIDENCE ON CHARGE OF BIGAMY ( )40 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION40 COMMENTS40 RECOMMENDATION40 SECTION 238 EVIDENCE OF A RELATIONSHIP ON CHARGEOF INCEST ( )41 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION41 COMMENTS41 RECOMMENDATION41 SECTION 240 EVIDENCE ON A CHARGE OF RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY ( )41 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION42 COMMENTS42 RECOMMENDATION42 SECTION 243 EVIDENCE OF RECEIPT OF MONEY ORPROPERTY AND GENERAL DEFICIENCY ON CHARGE OF THEFT ( )

7 42-xi-PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION43 COMMENTS43 RECOMMENDATION44 SECTION 245 EVIDENCE ON CHARGE OF WHICHFALSE REPRESENTATION IS ELEMENT ( )44 RECOMMENDATION44 SECTION 249 PRESUMPTION OF FAILURE TO PAY TAX OR TO FURNISH INFORMATION RELATING TO TAX ( )44 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION44 COMMENTS45 RECOMMENDATION45 SECTION 250 PRESUMPTION OF LACK OF AUTHORITY ( )45 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION45 COMMENTS45 RECOMMENDATION46 SECTION 274 EVIDENCE ON SENTENCE ( )46 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION49 COMMENTS49-xii-RECOMMENDATION49 SECTION 332 PROSECUTION OF CORPORATION ANDMEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION ( )49 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION50 COMMENTS51 RECOMMENDATION52 SECTION 337 ESTIMATING AGE OR PERSON ( )53 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION53 COMMENTS54 RECOMMENDATION54 SECTION 338 ( )55 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION55 COMMENTS55 RECOMMENDATION55 CHAPTER 356 EQUALITY AND ACCESS TO COURTS56 EQUALITY56 ACCESS TO COURTS 57-xiii-SECTION 7: PRIVATE PROSECUTION ON CERTIFICATE NOLLE PROSEQUI & SECTION 9.

8 SECURITY BY PRIVATE PROSECUTOR ( )57 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION58 COMMENTS58 RECOMMENDATION59 SECTION 29 SEARCH TO BE CONDUCTED IN DECENT AND ORDERLY MANNER ( )59 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION59 COMMENTS59 RECOMMENDATION60 SECTION 190 IMPEACHMENT OR SUPPORT OF CREDIBILITY OF WITNESS ( )60 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION61 COMMENTS61 RECOMMENDATION61 SECTION 191 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES OF WITNESS ( )61 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION62 COMMENTS62-xiv-RECOMMENDATION63 SECTION 269 - SODOMY ( )63 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION63 COMMENTS63 RECOMMENDATION63 CHAPTER 4 THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL64 SECTION 302 SENTENCES SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN THE ORDINARY COURSE AND SECTION 303 TRANSMISSION OF THE RECORD ( )65 COMMENTS65 RECOMMENDATION65 CHAPTER 566 THE RIGHT TO A PUBLIC TRIAL66 SECTION 153 CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH criminal PROCEEDINGS SHALL NOT TAKE PLACE IN OPEN COURT ( )

9 66 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION66 COMMENTS67 RECOMMENDATION67-xv-SECTION 154 PROHIBITION OF PUBLICATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO criminal PROCEEDINGS ( )67 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION68 COMMENTS68 RECOMMENDATION69 CHAPTER 6 THE RIGHT TO ADDUCE AND CHALLENGE EVIDENCE ANDADEQUATE FACILITIES TO PREPARE A DEFENCE70 SECTION 166 CROSS-EXAMINATION AND RE-EXAMINATIONOF WITNESSES ( )72 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION72 COMMENTS72 RECOMMENDATION73 SECTION 179 PROCESS FOR SECURING ATTENDANCE OFWITNESS ( )73 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION74 COMMENTS74 RECOMMENDATION75 SECTION 182 WITNESS FROM PRISON ( )75-xvi-PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION75 COMMENTS75 RECOMMENDATION76 SECTION 190 IMPEACHMENT OR SUPPORT OF CREDIBILITYOF WITNESS ( )76 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION76 COMMENTS77 RECOMMENDATION77 CHAPTER 778 THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM AND SECURITY OF PERSON 78 SECTION 185 DETENTION OF WITNESS ( )

10 78 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION80 COMMENTS80 RECOMMENDATION80 CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING PUNISHMENT- SECTIONS 286A DECLARATION OF CERTAIN PERSONS AS DANGEROUS CRIMINALS AND SECTION 286B IMPRISONMENT FOR INDEFINITE PERIOD ( )81 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION82-xvii-COMMENTS82 RECOMMENDATION83 CHAPTER 884 THE RIGHT TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE A COURT AFTER ARREST84 SECTION 50 - ARREST ( )84 PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION85 COMMENTS85 RECOMMENDATION86 CHAPTER 987 THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL - INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO BEINFORMED OF DETAIL OF CHARGE87 SECTIONS 95(12) & 262 HOUSEBREAKING WITH INTENT TOCOMMIT AN OFFENCE ( )88 P