S v Mohloku and Others (358/08) [2008] ZAFSHC 63 (28 August 2008)
- Citation
- [2008] ZAFSHC 63
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- C.H.G. Van der Merwe, C. Van Zyl
- Case number
- 358/08
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- C.H.G. Van der Merwe, C. Van Zyl
- Case number
- 358/08
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court held that the magistrate erred in equating the moral blameworthiness of accused three, a 19-year-old school learner, with that of accused four, an adult. The principle that youthfulness diminishes moral blameworthiness was reaffirmed, especially where the accused is still attending school. The sentence of accused three was set aside and replaced with a partially suspended sentence to reflect his youth and circumstances, taking into account that he had already begun serving the original sentence. The convictions and sentences of accused one and four were confirmed as appropriate.
Court disposition
Convictions and sentences of accused one and four confirmed. Sentence of accused three set aside and replaced with a partially suspended sentence.
Orders
- The convictions of all three accused are confirmed.
- The sentences of accused one and four are confirmed.
- The sentence of accused three is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, of which eighteen months are suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of housebreaking with intent to steal and/or theft committed during the period of suspension. The sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 26 May 2008.
02
Material facts
Parties
Die Staat
ApplicantLebogang Mohloku
DefendantMotlatsi Toane
DefendantLeja Tlale
DefendantAmounts and remedies
- Total Value of Stolen Goods: ZAR 2,280
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review of Sentence and Conviction
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence imposed on accused three was appropriate given his age and circumstances.
- 02
Whether the principle of diminished moral blameworthiness for youthful offenders was properly applied.
- 03
Whether the sentences for accused one and four should be confirmed.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The prosecution presented that all accused pleaded guilty to housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and that the sentences imposed were appropriate given the facts and circumstances. All stolen goods were recovered. The prosecution did not specifically address the differentiation in sentencing between the youthful and adult accused.
- Respondent
- The accused, through their pleas and mitigation, highlighted their youth, lack of prior convictions, and personal circumstances. Accused one and three were still in school, and accused four was supporting a young family. The argument was that these factors warranted leniency, particularly for the youthful accused.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
S v Lehnberg en 'n Ander 1975 (4) SA 553 (A) at 560F – 561B
Due to immaturity, lack of life experience, impulsiveness, and susceptibility to influence resulting from youthfulness, the crime committed by a youthful offender is, except in extraordinary circumstances, less blameworthy than that of an adult.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court held that the magistrate erred in equating the moral blameworthiness of accused three, a 19-year-old school learner, with that of accused four, an adult. The principle that youthfulness diminishes moral blameworthiness was reaffirmed, especially where the accused is still attending school. The sentence of accused three was set aside and replaced with a partially suspended sentence to reflect his youth and circumstances, taking into account that he had already begun serving the original sentence. The convictions and sentences of accused one and four were confirmed as appropriate.
Obiter and limits
- The court emphasized that the principle of diminished blameworthiness for youthful offenders is particularly applicable when the accused is still in school.
- The recovery of all stolen goods was noted as a mitigating factor in sentencing.
Court disposition
Convictions and sentences of accused one and four confirmed. Sentence of accused three set aside and replaced with a partially suspended sentence.
- The convictions of all three accused are confirmed.
- The sentences of accused one and four are confirmed.
- The sentence of accused three is set aside and replaced with two years' imprisonment, of which eighteen months are suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of housebreaking with intent to steal and/or theft committed during the period of suspension. The sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 26 May 2008.
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. : 358/08
In die hersiening van:-
DIE
STAAT
versus
LEBOGANG MOHLOKU Beskuldigde een
MOTLATSI TOANE Beskuldigde drie
LEJA TLALE Beskuldigde vier
_____________
CORAM: VAN DER MERWE, R et VAN ZYL, R
UITSPRAAK DEUR: VAN DER MERWE, R
GELEWER OP: 28 AUGUSTUS 2008
[1] Die voormelde drie beskuldigdes is elkeen tereg skuldig bevind aan huisbraak met die opset om te steel en diefstal. Hul het gesamentlik ‘n woonhuis oopgebreek en binnegegaan en ‘n televisie, hoëtroustel, selfoon, ‘n paar skoene en drie CD’s (met ‘n totale waarde van R2 280,00) gesteel.
[2] Beskuldigde een is gevonnis tot 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf wat opgeskort is vir 4 (vier) jaar op voorwaarde dat hy nie skuldig bevind word aan huisbraak met die opset om te steel en/of diefstal gepleeg in die tydperk van opskorting nie en beskuldigdes drie en vier is elk gevonnis tot 2 (twee) jaar gevangenisstraf.
[3] Die vraag vir beslissing is of die vonnis van beskuldigde drie ooreenkomstig die reg is en navraag is dienooreenkomstig aan die landdros gerig.
[4] Al drie die voormelde beskuldigdes het skuldig gepleit op dié aanklag teen hulle en derhalwe is hul verhoor geskei van die van beskuldigde nommer twee wat onskuldig gepleit het. Al drie is eerste oortreders. Beskuldigde een was 16 jaar oud ten tye van die pleging van die misdryf, beskuldigde drie 19 jaar oud en beskuldigde vier 24 jaar oud. Beide beskuldigdes een en drie was ten tye van die verhoor steeds leerders op skool, beskuldigde nommer een in graad 8 en beskuldigde nommer drie in graad 10. Beskuldigde vier is getroud en het saam met sy eggenote en hul nege maande oue baba gewoon. Die gesin was vir hul lewensonderhoud afhanklik van stukwerk deur beskuldigde vier asook hulp ontvang van sy eggenote se familie. Al die gesteelde goedere is teruggekry.
[5] Op die voormelde navraag antwoord die landdros dat die morele verwytbaarheid van beskuldigde nommer drie niks minder is as dié
van beskuldigde vier nie. Hierdie siening is fundamenteel verkeerd. Dit is ‘n vaste beginsel van ons gemene reg dat as gevolg van die onvolwassenheid, gebrek aan lewenservaring, onbesonnenheid en vatbaarheid vir beïnvloeding teweeggebring deur jeugdigheid, die misdaad van ‘n jeugdige behalwe in buitengewone omstandighede minder laakbaar is dan dié van ‘n volwassene soos beskuldigde vier. Sien byvoorbeeld S v LEHNBERG EN ‘N ANDER 1975 (4) SA 553 (A) op 560F – 561B. Dit is myns insiens des te meer so waar, soos hier, die beskuldigde nog op skool is. Die vonnis van beskuldigde drie kan derhalwe nie bly staan nie. By heroplegging van vonnis moet rekening gehou word met die realiteit dat beskuldigde
drie die vonnis reeds uitdien sedert 26 Mei 2008.
[6] Gevolglik word die skuldigbevindings van al drie beskuldigdes sowel as die vonnisse van beskuldigdes een en vier bekragtig. Die vonnis van beskuldigde drie word tersyde gestel en vervang met ‘n vonnis van 2 (twee) jaar gevangenisstraf waarvan 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf opgeskort word vir 5 (vyf) jaar op voorwaarde dat die beskuldigde nie skuldig bevind word aan huisbraak met die opset om te steel en/of diefstal gepleeg gedurende die tydperk van opskorting nie en wat geag moet word opgelê te gewees het op 26 Mei 2008.
________
C.H.G. VAN DER MERWE, R
Ek stem saam.
____
C. VAN ZYL, R
/sp
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