S v Louw (1192/3004) [2004] ZAFSHC 115 (2 December 2004)
- Citation
- [2004] ZAFSHC 115
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Lombard, Wright RR
- Case number
- 1192/2004
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Lombard, Wright RR
- Case number
- 1192/2004
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The reviewing judge found that the original conditions attached to the suspended sentence were not clearly and correctly worded. After seeking clarification from the magistrate, it was conceded that the initial conditions were defective. The conviction for theft was confirmed, but the sentence was set aside and replaced with a properly worded suspended sentence. The new sentence imposed nine months' imprisonment, suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft during the period of suspension and that he pays R7,700 in monthly instalments of R700 to the Clerk of the Court, with specific payment dates stipulated. The substituted sentence ensures clarity and enforceability of the conditions.
Court disposition
Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with new suspended sentence and payment conditions.
Orders
- The conviction for theft is confirmed.
- The original sentence is set aside.
- The following sentence is substituted: Nine (9) months' imprisonment suspended for four (4) years on condition (a) that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft during the period of suspension, and (b) that the accused pays R7,700 in monthly instalments of R700 to the Clerk of the Court, with the first payment due on or before 10 August 2004 and subsequent payments on the 10th of each month until 10 June 2005.
- The sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 8 July 2004.
02
Material facts
Parties
The State
ApplicantEric Louw
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Total Compensation Ordered: ZAR 7,700
- Monthly Instalment: ZAR 700
- Suspended Imprisonment (months): ZAR 9
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review of Criminal Conviction and Sentence
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the original suspended sentence conditions were clear and correct.
- 02
Whether the conviction for theft should be confirmed.
- 03
Whether the sentence should be substituted with properly worded conditions.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The State did not present substantive argument but the reviewing judge sought clarification from the magistrate regarding the wording of the suspended sentence conditions, which were found to be unclear and incorrect.
- Respondent
- The accused did not present argument on review; the matter was considered on the record and clarification provided by the magistrate.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
S v Mosia 1988 (4) SA 868 (O)
A suspended sentence must have clear and precise conditions to be enforceable.
- 02
Section 304 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
The reviewing court may substitute a sentence if the original is unclear or incorrect.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The reviewing judge found that the original conditions attached to the suspended sentence were not clearly and correctly worded. After seeking clarification from the magistrate, it was conceded that the initial conditions were defective. The conviction for theft was confirmed, but the sentence was set aside and replaced with a properly worded suspended sentence. The new sentence imposed nine months' imprisonment, suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft during the period of suspension and that he pays R7,700 in monthly instalments of R700 to the Clerk of the Court, with specific payment dates stipulated. The substituted sentence ensures clarity and enforceability of the conditions.
Obiter and limits
- The review was delayed due to administrative oversight, resulting in the judgment being delivered at a late stage.
Court disposition
Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with new suspended sentence and payment conditions.
- The conviction for theft is confirmed.
- The original sentence is set aside.
- The following sentence is substituted: Nine (9) months' imprisonment suspended for four (4) years on condition (a) that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft during the period of suspension, and (b) that the accused pays R7,700 in monthly instalments of R700 to the Clerk of the Court, with the first payment due on or before 10 August 2004 and subsequent payments on the 10th of each month until 10 June 2005.
- The sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 8 July 2004.
Source and reliance status
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
Judgment
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(ORANJE VRYSTAATSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING)
Hersiening Nr. : 1192/2004
In die hersiening van:
DIE
STAAT
versus
ERIC
LOUW
CORAM: LOMBARD et
WRIGHT RR
UITSPRAAK: LOMBARD R
GELEWER OP: 2 DESEMBER 2004
Die beskuldigde is tereg aan diefstal skuldig bevind en as volg gevonnis:
âNege (9) maande gevangenisstraf opgeskort vir vier (4) jaar op voorwaarde dat beskuldigde nie weer skuldig bevind word aan diefstal of poging daar toe gepleeg binne tydperk van opskorting nie. Verder word beskuldigde beveel om R7 700-00 by die Klerk van die Hof, Petrusburg in te betaal teen R700 per maand. Eerste betaling van R700 voor of op 30/7/04 en daarna R700 aan die einde van daaropvolgende maande tot Junie 2005 wanneer die laaste betaling van R700 gemaak sal word. Vir oorbetaling aan klaagster vir skade
gely.â
Ek het meerdere navrae aan die landdros aangaande die bewoording van die opskortende voorwaardes gerig en dit word nou toegegee dat die aanvanklike voorwaardes nie duidelik en korrek bewoord was nie. In die omstandighede word die skuldigbevinding bekragtig, maar die vonnis word deurgehaal en met die volgende vervang:
âNege (9) maande gevangenisstraf opgeskort vir vier (4) jaar op die volgende voorwaardes (a) dat die beskuldigde nie weer skuldig bevind word aan diefstal of poging daartoe gepleeg binne tydperk van opskorting nie (b) dat genoemde beskuldigde R7,700-00 (Sewe Duisend Sewe Honderd Rand) in paaiemente by die Klerk van die Hof inbetaal teen R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) per maand. Die eerste betaling moet geskied voor of op die 10de Augustus 2004 en daarna R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) op die 10de van elke maand tot op 10 Junie 2005 wanneer die laaste betaling van R700-00 (Sewe Honderd Rand) gemaak moet word.â
Die vonnis sal geag word op 8 Julie 2004 opgelê te gewees het. Ek wil net volledigheidshalwe verduidelik dat hierdie hersiening vir een of ander rede iewers verlore geraak het en daarom het hierdie uitspraak eers op so ân laat stadium die lig gesien.
___
D.J. LOMBARD, R
Ek stem saam.
___
G.F. WRIGHT
/sp
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