S v Raadt (615/2001) [2001] ZANCHC 22 (5 October 2001)
- Citation
- [2001] ZANCHC 22
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Northern Cape High Court, Kimberley
- Panel
- Majiedt R
- Case number
- 615/2001
More details
- Court
- Northern Cape High Court, Kimberley
- Panel
- Majiedt R
- Case number
- 615/2001
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The conviction and sentence were set aside because the accused did not admit all the essential elements of the offence, specifically the unlawfulness of his conduct, during the section 112(1)(b) questioning. The magistrate failed to inquire into the motive for the stabbing, which is crucial for both conviction and appropriate sentencing. The court emphasized the duty to assist an unrepresented accused, particularly when aggravating evidence is presented. The matter was remitted to the magistrate's court for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Court disposition
Conviction and sentence set aside; matter remitted for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Orders
- The conviction and sentence are set aside.
- The matter is referred back to the magistrate's court for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
02
Material facts
Parties
Die Staat
ApplicantDawid Raadt
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review of Criminal Conviction and Sentence
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the accused admitted all essential elements of the offence during questioning under section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
- 02
Whether the conviction and sentence were legally sustainable given the failure to address unlawfulness and motive.
- 03
Whether the magistrate properly assisted the unrepresented accused in the sentencing phase.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The magistrate conceded that the proceedings were irregular and requested that the matter be referred back for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
- Respondent
- The accused pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and admitted to stabbing the complainant in the neck with intent to cause serious injury, but did not address the unlawfulness or motive for his actions.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, section 112(1)(b)
A conviction under section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act requires that the accused admit all essential elements of the offence, including unlawfulness.
- 02
S v Nkosi 1980 (3) SA 560 (T)
The court must ensure that an unrepresented accused is properly assisted, especially in relation to the facts relevant to sentencing.
- 03
S v Mkhize 1978 (2) SA 264 (N)
Failure to elicit admissions on all elements renders the conviction unsustainable in law.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The conviction and sentence were set aside because the accused did not admit all the essential elements of the offence, specifically the unlawfulness of his conduct, during the section 112(1)(b) questioning. The magistrate failed to inquire into the motive for the stabbing, which is crucial for both conviction and appropriate sentencing. The court emphasized the duty to assist an unrepresented accused, particularly when aggravating evidence is presented. The matter was remitted to the magistrate's court for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Obiter and limits
- It is concerning that the magistrate did not ask the accused what led to the stabbing, as such information is vital for sentencing.
- The failure to assist the unrepresented accused when aggravating evidence was led is particularly troubling.
Court disposition
Conviction and sentence set aside; matter remitted for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
- The conviction and sentence are set aside.
- The matter is referred back to the magistrate's court for proper compliance with section 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Source and reliance status
Northern Cape High Court, Kimberley
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.
Northern Cape High Court, Kimberley
Judgment
3
Verslagwaardig: Ja/Nee
Sirkuleer aan Regters: Ja/Nee
Sirkuleer aan Landdroste: Ja/Nee
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(Noord-Kaapse Afdeling / Northern Cape Division)
SAAKNOMMER:615/2001
DATUM GELEWER:05-10-2001
In die saak van:
DIE STAAT
teen
DAWID RAADT Beskuldigde
Coram: MAJIEDT R
HERSIENINGSUITSPRAAK
MAJIEDT R:
In hierdie aangeleentheid gee die landdros toe dat die verrigtinge nie volgens reg geskied het nie en word versoek dat die saak terugverwys word vir die behoorlike nakoming van artikel 112(1)(b) van die Strafproseswet.
Die beskuldigde het tereg gestaan op ân aanklag van aanranding met die opset om ernstig te beseer. Hy het skuldig gepleit en is, na ondervraging ingevolge artikel 112(1)(b), skuldig bevind soos aangekla en gevonnis tot 18 maande gevangenisstraf. Buys R het op hersiening as volg navraag gedoen: -
âMoes die beskuldigde nie die wederregtelikheid van sy handeling erken het nie?
Hoe was dit moontlik om ân gepaste vonnis op te lê as daar nie by die beskuldigde uitgevind is waarom hy die klaer met die mes gesteek het nie?â
Nêrens tydens die artikel 112(1)(b) â ondervraging is die aspek van die wederregtelikheid van die beskuldige se daad met hom opgeneem nie. Die beskuldigde het slegs erken dat hy die klaer ân steekwond teen die nek toegedien het en dat hy die opset gehad het om die klaer ernstig te beseer.
Al die wesenlike elemente van die misdryf is gevolglik nie erken nie en is die skuldigbevining regtens onontvanklik.
Dit is verontrustend dat daar nooit aan die beskuldigde gevra is wat daartoe gelei het dat hy die klaer met die mes gesteek het nie. Só ân vraag is tog van kardinale belang by die oorweging van ân gepaste vonnis. Erger nog â die Staat het ân mediese beampte, Dr. van Rensburg, se getuienis gelei ter verswaring van vonnis. Die landdros moes ten minste die onverteenwoordigde beskuldigde bygestaan het deur te verneem het van hom waarom hy aldus opgetree het â veral waar die beskuldigde verkies het om nie enige vrae aan die dokter te stel nie.
Die skuldigbevindig en vonnis word tersyde gestel en die saak word ingevolge art. 312(1) van die Strafproseswet terugverwys na die landdroshof vir die behoorlike nakoming van die bepalings van artikel 112(1)(b) van die voormelde Wet
______
S.A. MAJIEDT
REGTER
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