S v Majoro (2310/2003) [2004] ZAFSHC 53 (3 June 2004)
- Citation
- [2004] ZAFSHC 53
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Wright, R, Lombard, R
- Case number
- 2310/2003
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Wright, R, Lombard, R
- Case number
- 2310/2003
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The conviction was set aside because the trial court failed to properly consider the accused's claim of self-defence after his guilty plea was altered. In terms of section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act, once a plea of guilty is not accepted, the court must require further evidence before convicting. The absence of such evidence rendered the conviction invalid.
Court disposition
Conviction set aside.
Orders
- The conviction of Daniël Mahlomola Majoro for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm is set aside.
02
Material facts
Parties
The State
ApplicantDaniël Mahlomola Majoro
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the accused's plea of guilty was properly accepted by the trial court.
- 02
Whether the accused's claim of self-defence should have been considered before conviction.
- 03
Whether the conviction was valid in the absence of further evidence after the plea was altered.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The State agreed with the memorandum from the Director of Public Prosecutions, which recommended that the conviction be set aside due to procedural irregularities in the acceptance of the plea and the failure to consider the accused's claim of self-defence.
- Respondent
- The accused pleaded guilty and admitted to stabbing the complainant with a knife, but subsequently indicated that he acted in self-defence. No further evidence was presented after the plea was altered, yet the court convicted him.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, section 113
Where an accused pleads guilty but raises a defence such as self-defence, the court must act in terms of section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act and may not convict without further evidence.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The conviction was set aside because the trial court failed to properly consider the accused's claim of self-defence after his guilty plea was altered. In terms of section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act, once a plea of guilty is not accepted, the court must require further evidence before convicting. The absence of such evidence rendered the conviction invalid.
Obiter and limits
- The memorandum from the Director of Public Prosecutions was agreed to and attached to the judgment.
- The accused was a 16-year-old minor at the time of the offence.
Court disposition
Conviction set aside.
- The conviction of Daniël Mahlomola Majoro for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm is set aside.
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. 2310/2003
In die hersiening tussen:
DIE
STAAT
En
DANIëL
MAHLOMOLA MAJORO
_______________
CORAM: LOMBARD et WRIGHT, RR
UITSPRAAK DEUR: WRIGHT, R
GELEWER OP: 3 JUNIE 2004
Die beskuldigde, ân 16-jarige man, is skuldig bevind aan aanranding met die opset om ernstig te beseer.
Dit blyk dat hy skuldig gepleit het en erken het dat hy die klaer met ân mes gesteek het, maar daarna te kenne gegee dat hy in selfverdediging opgetree het. Die hof a quo het nie die pleit aanvaar nie, maar in terme van die bepalings van artikel 113 van Wet 51 van 1977 opgetree. Ten spyte van die feit dat geen verdere getuienis aangebied is nie, is die beskuldigde skuldig bevind aan dié oortreding.
ân Afskrif van ân memorandum wat ontvang is van die Direkteur van Openbare Vervolgings, waarmee saamgestem word, word hierby aangeheg.
Bygevolg word die skuldigbevinding tersyde gestel.
____
G.F. WRIGHT, R
EK STEM SAAM
______
D.J. LOMBARD, R
/scd
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