S v Meeding (193/2011) [2011] ZAFSHC 151 (1 September 2011)
- Citation
- [2011] ZAFSHC 151
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- R Jordaan, R van Zyl
- Case number
- 193/2011
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- R Jordaan, R van Zyl
- Case number
- 193/2011
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The conviction and sentence imposed on the accused for contravening a protection order were irregular and invalid because the protection order had been rescinded prior to the alleged offence. Neither the prosecution nor the defence brought this fact to the attention of the trial magistrate. Once the true state of affairs was revealed, the magistrate correctly supported the setting aside of the conviction and sentence by way of special review. The court held that it is impermissible to convict and sentence an accused for contravening a legal instrument that no longer exists, and such proceedings must be set aside.
Court disposition
Conviction and sentence set aside.
Orders
- The conviction and sentence are set aside.
02
Material facts
Parties
The State
ApplicantDavid Meeding
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Fine Imposed: ZAR 10,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Special Review
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the conviction and sentence for contravening a protection order were valid when the order had been rescinded prior to the alleged offence.
- 02
Whether the proceedings before the magistrate were irregular and should be set aside.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The State did not bring to the attention of the trial magistrate that the protection order had been rescinded prior to the alleged contravention. After the matter was finalized, it was discovered that the protection order no longer existed at the time of the alleged offence. The State supports the setting aside of the conviction and sentence by way of special review.
- Respondent
- The accused pleaded guilty to contravening a protection order and was legally represented. Neither the accused nor his defence raised the fact that the protection order had been rescinded before the alleged offence. Upon discovery of this fact, the defence supports the setting aside of the conviction and sentence.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 17(1)(a) of Act 116 of 1998
A conviction and sentence based on the contravention of a rescinded protection order are irregular and invalid.
- 02
General principles of criminal procedure
Proceedings that are based on non-existent legal grounds must be set aside on review.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The conviction and sentence imposed on the accused for contravening a protection order were irregular and invalid because the protection order had been rescinded prior to the alleged offence. Neither the prosecution nor the defence brought this fact to the attention of the trial magistrate. Once the true state of affairs was revealed, the magistrate correctly supported the setting aside of the conviction and sentence by way of special review. The court held that it is impermissible to convict and sentence an accused for contravening a legal instrument that no longer exists, and such proceedings must be set aside.
Obiter and limits
- It is essential for both the prosecution and defence to ensure that all relevant facts, especially those affecting the existence of legal instruments, are brought to the attention of the court.
- Special review is an appropriate mechanism to correct irregularities arising from oversight or error in criminal proceedings.
Court disposition
Conviction and sentence set aside.
- The conviction and sentence are 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
VRYSTAATSE HOË HOF, BLOEMFONTEIN
REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA
Hersiening Nr. : 193/2011
In die hersiening tussen:-
DIE
STAAT
en
DAVID
MEEDING
_____________
CORAM: VAN ZYL, R et JORDAAN, R
UITSPRAAK DEUR: JORDAAN, R
GELEWER OP: 1 SEPTEMBER 2011
[1] Hierdie saak is na die Hooggeregshof verwys deur die Landdros van Edenburg vir spesiale hersiening.
[2] Die beskuldigde was aangekla van oortreding van artikel 17(1)(a) van Wet 116 van 1998 vir die beweerdelike verbreking van ‘n beskermingsbevel uitgereik in terme van laasgenoemde Wet. Tydens die verhoor van die saak, was die beskuldigde regsverteenwoordigd, het hy skuldig gepleit en is hy na ondervraging uit hoofde van sy pleitverduideliking dienooreenkomstig skuldigbevind. Hy is gevonnis tot ‘n boete van R10 000,00 of 12 maande gevangenisstraf waarvan die helfte opgeskort is vir ‘n periode van vyf jaar op sekere voorwaardes.
[3] Die saak was verhoor deur ‘n aflos Landdros op die tersaaklike tydstip en na afhandeling van die saak het dit tot die kennis van die voormelde permanente Landdros van Edenburg gekom dat die betrokke beskermingsbevel wat aanvanklik teen die beskuldigde
verleen was, inderdaad reeds op 31 Julie 2009 opgehef was en derhalwe nie meer bestaan het toe hy van die voormelde oortreding aangekla en verhoor was nie. Nie die Staat of die verdediging het daardie aspek onder die aandag van die Verhoorlanddros gebring nie en, nadat die ware toedrag van sake aan die Verhoorlanddros uitgewys is, het sy tereg die tersydestelling van die voormelde bevele by wyse van spesiale hersiening ondersteun.
[4] Dit hoef geen betoog dat die skuldigbevinding en vonnis derhalwe onreëlmatig en ongegrond was nie en moet dit derhalwe tersyde gestel word.
[5] Bygevolg word die skuldigbevinding en vonnis tersyde gestel.
___
A.F. JORDAAN, R
Ek stem saam.
____
C. VAN ZYL, R
/sp
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