S v Matlhobe (409/2010) [2010] ZAFSHC 119 (26 August 2010)
- Citation
- [2010] ZAFSHC 119
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- P. Daffue, S.P.D. Hancke
- Case number
- 409/2010
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- P. Daffue, S.P.D. Hancke
- Case number
- 409/2010
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The sentence imposed by the regional magistrate was internally inconsistent and could not be executed by the Department of Correctional Services. The magistrate intended to impose a sentence of imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows for correctional supervision at the discretion of the Commissioner or parole board. The court accepted the magistrate's explanation and substituted the sentence accordingly. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act.
Court disposition
The original sentence was set aside and replaced with a legally competent sentence of five years' imprisonment under section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Orders
- The sentence imposed by the regional magistrate is set aside.
- The accused is sentenced to five years' imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, deemed to have been imposed on 21 July 2010.
- In terms of section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, the accused is declared unfit to possess a firearm.
02
Material facts
Parties
The State
ApplicantTeboho Vincent Matlhobe
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Term of Imprisonment (years): 5
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Special Review of Sentence
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence imposed by the regional magistrate was legally competent and executable.
- 02
Whether the sentence should be substituted to comply with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The regional magistrate acknowledged that the sentence imposed was contradictory and requested that the record be referred for special review. The intention was to impose a sentence of imprisonment under section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, allowing for correctional supervision at the discretion of the Commissioner or parole board.
- Respondent
- No formal argument was presented by the respondent. The review was initiated by the magistrate's own recognition of the sentencing error.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
A sentence of imprisonment under section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act allows the Commissioner of Correctional Services or a parole board to release the accused under correctional supervision at their discretion.
- 02
Section 276(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
A sentence under section 276(1)(b) without the option of a fine does not permit correctional supervision except in limited circumstances upon application to the court.
- 03
Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000
A person convicted of certain offences may be declared unfit to possess a firearm under section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The sentence imposed by the regional magistrate was internally inconsistent and could not be executed by the Department of Correctional Services. The magistrate intended to impose a sentence of imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows for correctional supervision at the discretion of the Commissioner or parole board. The court accepted the magistrate's explanation and substituted the sentence accordingly. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act.
Obiter and limits
- The court noted the importance of clarity and legal competence in sentencing to ensure sentences are executable by correctional authorities.
- The review process serves as a safeguard to correct errors that may arise in the sentencing phase, especially where the sentence is contradictory or unenforceable.
Court disposition
The original sentence was set aside and replaced with a legally competent sentence of five years' imprisonment under section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
- The sentence imposed by the regional magistrate is set aside.
- The accused is sentenced to five years' imprisonment in terms of section 276(1)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, deemed to have been imposed on 21 July 2010.
- In terms of section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, the accused is declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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
VRYSTAATSE HOë HOF, BLOEMFONTEIN
REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA
Hersiening Nr.: 409/2010
In die hersiening tussen:
DIE
STAAT
en
TEBOHO
VINCENT MATLHOBE _____________
CORAM: HANCKE, WND RP et DAFFUE, WND R
_____________
UITSPRAAK: DAFFUE, WND R
GELEWER OP: 26 AUGUSTUS 2010
[1] Die beskuldigde is skuldig bevind aan die misdryf van strafbare manslag in die streekshof te Bloemfontein.
[2] Op 21 Julie 2010 is die beskuldigde soos volg gevonnis:
“Ingevolge in terme van (sic) Artikel 276(1)(b) van Wet 51/1977 gevonnis vir 5 jaar gevangenisstraf in terme van Artikel 276(1)(i) van Wet 51/77. In terme van artikel 103(1) van Wet 60 van 2000 word die beskuldigde onbevoeg verklaar om ‘n vuurwapen te besit.”
[3] Die betrokke streekshoflanddros wat bogemelde vonnis opgelê het, het besef dat die vonnis onsinnig is en het soos volg rapporteer aan die Streekshof President:
“Ek is respekvol van mening dat die vonnis opgelê vir betrokke beskuldigde op 22/07/10 (sic) kontrasterend is en versoek u eerbiediglik om die oorkonde vir spesiale hersiening te verwys. My doel met die oplegging van die vonnis was om gevangenisstraf ingevolge artikel 276(1)(i) van Wet 51/77 soos gewysig op te lê.”
[4] Die waarnemende Streekshof President het dit in ‘n skrywe aan die Griffier van hierdie hof duidelik gemaak dat die vonnis nie deur die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste uitgevoer kan word nie. Hy ondersteun dan ook die streekshoflanddros se versoek dat die vonnis op hersiening gewysig word.
[5] Wanneer ‘n beskuldigde gevangenisstraf in terme van artikel 276(1)(i) opgelê word, kan hy/sy na goeddunke deur die Kommissaris van Korrektiewe Dienste of ‘n paroolraad onder korrektiewe toesig uitgeplaas word onderhewig aan die bepalings van artikel 73(7) van die Wet op Korrektiewe Dienste, Wet 111 van 1998. In teenstelling daarmee kan iemand wat gevangenisstraf in terme van artikel 276(1)(b) opgelê word sonder die keuse van ‘n boete, slegs in sekere gevalle ander korrektiewe toesig uitgeplaas word op aansoek na die hof en die vonnis gunstig heroorweeg is.
[6] Ek aanvaar dat gegewe die feit dat die beskuldigde aan strafbare manslag skuldig bevind is sowel as die beskuldigde se persoonlike omstandighede, die streekshoflanddros bedoel het om die omskakeling van sy vonnis van korrektiewe toesig in die diskresie van die Kommissaris of die paroolraad te laat soos bedoel in artikel 276(1)(i).
(7) Bygevolg word die vonnis ter syde gestel en vervang met die volgende:
“Beskuldigde word gevonnis tot vyf jaar gevangenisstraf opgelê ingevolge die bepalings van artikel 276(1)(i) van Wet 51 van 1977, welke vonnis geag word opgelê te gewees het op 21 Julie 2010. In terme van artikel 103(1) van Wet 60 van 2000
word beskuldigde onbevoeg verklaar om ‘n vuurwapen te besit.”
_______
P. DAFFUE, WND R
Ek stem saam.
_______
S.P.D. HANCKE, WND RP
/eb
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