S v Ralejoang (836/2006) [2006] ZAFSHC 29 (21 September 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] ZAFSHC 29
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Van der Merwe R, Van Zyl R
- Case number
- 836/2006
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- Van der Merwe R, Van Zyl R
- Case number
- 836/2006
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that, although the accused had several previous convictions for possession of cannabis, the circumstances of the current offence did not warrant the severity of the three-year direct imprisonment sentence imposed by the magistrate. The accused possessed the cannabis for personal use, is the sole breadwinner for his family, and there was no evidence of addiction or health impairment. The moral blameworthiness was considered low. The court held that the sentence was disproportionately harsh and substituted it with a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment, deemed appropriate in light of all circumstances.
Court disposition
Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with 18 months' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 10 July 2006.
Orders
- The conviction is confirmed.
- The sentence of three years' imprisonment is set aside.
- The sentence is replaced with 18 months' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 10 July 2006.
02
Material facts
Parties
Die Staat
ApplicantJohn Motebang Ralejoang
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Original Sentence (years Imprisonment): 3
- Substituted Sentence (months Imprisonment): 18
- Accused's Weekly Income: ZAR 300
- Quantity of Cannabis (kg): 1.1
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Review of Sentence After Conviction on Guilty Plea
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence of three years' direct imprisonment for possession of 1.1 kg cannabis was appropriate given the circumstances.
- 02
Whether the accused's previous convictions and personal circumstances justified a lesser sentence.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The State accepted the accused's explanation that the cannabis was for personal use. The accused is married with three children, is the sole breadwinner, and earns R300 per week. He pleaded guilty and has no evidence of addiction affecting his health or work. However, he has four prior convictions for possession of cannabis.
- Respondent
- The accused pleaded guilty and explained the cannabis was for his own use. He highlighted his family responsibilities, lack of addiction, and stable health. He argued that the imposed sentence was excessively harsh given the low moral blameworthiness of the offence.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 4(b) of Act 140 of 1992
Sentences must be proportionate to the offence and the offender's circumstances, considering previous convictions and the seriousness of the crime.
- 02
S v Zinn 1969 (2) SA 537 (A)
Direct imprisonment is justified for repeat offenders, but the sentence must not be unduly severe where moral blameworthiness is low.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that, although the accused had several previous convictions for possession of cannabis, the circumstances of the current offence did not warrant the severity of the three-year direct imprisonment sentence imposed by the magistrate. The accused possessed the cannabis for personal use, is the sole breadwinner for his family, and there was no evidence of addiction or health impairment. The moral blameworthiness was considered low. The court held that the sentence was disproportionately harsh and substituted it with a sentence of 18 months' imprisonment, deemed appropriate in light of all circumstances.
Obiter and limits
- The court noted that the accused's repeated offences suggest a long-term pattern of cannabis use, but there was no indication of addiction affecting his health or ability to work.
- The court emphasized that sentences should reflect both the seriousness of the offence and the personal circumstances of the offender.
Court disposition
Conviction confirmed; sentence set aside and replaced with 18 months' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 10 July 2006.
- The conviction is confirmed.
- The sentence of three years' imprisonment is set aside.
- The sentence is replaced with 18 months' imprisonment, deemed imposed on 10 July 2006.
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. : 836/2006In die hersiening tussen:-DIE STAATversusJOHN MOTEBANG RALEJOANG___________CORAM:VAN DER MERWE RetVAN ZYL R___________UITSPRAAK DEUR:VAN DER MERWE R___________GELEWER OP:21 SEPTEMBER 2006___________[1] Die beskuldigde is op grond van sy pleit van skuldig tereg daaraan skuldig bevind dat hy onwettig in besit was van 1,1 kilogram dagga ter oortreding van die bepalings van artikel 4(b) van Wet Nr. 140 van 1992. Die beskuldigde is vervolgens gevonnis tot 3 (drie) jaar gevangenisstraf.[2] Soos reeds gemeld, het die beskuldigde skuldig gepleit. Uit sy mededelings, wat deur die staatsaanklaer aanvaar is, blyk dit dat die beskuldigde die dagga besit het vir doeleindes daarvan om dit self te rook. Hy is getroud en het drie kinders. Hy is die enigste broodwinner aangesien sy vrou aan tuberkulose ly. Hy doen bouwerk en ontvang daarvoor vergoeding van R300,00 per week. Hy is 33 jaar oud.[3] Die beskuldigde is egter vier keer tevore gevonnis weens besit van dagga. In 1995 is hy gevonnis tot R500,00 of 90 (negentig) dae gevangenisstraf, in 2000 tot 6 (ses) maande gevangenisstraf en in 2001 tot R1 800,00 of 6 (ses) maande
gevangenisstraf. Op 8 Januarie 2002 is die beskuldigde gevonnis vir besit van dagga tot R1 800,00 of 12 (twaalf) maande gevangenisstraf asook 9 (nege) maande gevangenisstraf wat voorwaardelik opgeskort is vir 4 (vier) jaar. Die onderhawige oortreding is gepleeg buite die gemelde opskortingstydperk van 4 (vier) jaar.[4] Dit blyk uit die voormelde dat dit waarskynlik is dat die beskuldigde reeds vir etlike jare dagga rook. Daar is egter geen aanduiding op die oorkonde dat die beskuldigde aan dagga verslaaf is tot die mate dat hy sy gesondheid of werksvermoë benadeel nie. Hy het aan die landdros meegedeel dat hy gesond is en die landdros vermeld dat die beskuldigde vir hom ook gesond voorgekom het. In lig van die beskuldigde se vorige veroordelings kan in hierdie omstandighede nie fout gevind word daarmee dat die beskuldigde ân vonnis van direkte gevangenisstraf opgelê is nie. In al die omstandighede van hierdie saak, in besonder dat die morele verwytbaarheid van die misdryf waaraan die beskuldigde skuldig bevind is na my oordeel nie hoog is nie, is die opgelegde vonnis egter buitensporig swaar en moet dit vervang word met ân vonnis van 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf.[5] Gevolglik word die skuldigbevinding bekragtig maar die vonnis tersyde gestel en vervang met ân vonnis van 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf wat geag moet word opgelê te gewees het op 10 Julie 2006.______C.H.G. VAN DER MERWE, REk stem saam.__C. VAN ZYL, R/sp
IN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA
(ORANJE VRYSTAATSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING)
Hersiening Nr. : 836/2006
In die hersiening tussen:-
DIE
STAAT
versus
JOHN
MOTEBANG RALEJOANG
_____________
CORAM:VAN DER MERWE RetVAN ZYL R
CORAM:
et
UITSPRAAK DEUR:VAN DER MERWE R
UITSPRAAK DEUR:
GELEWER OP:21 SEPTEMBER 2006
GELEWER OP:
[1] Die beskuldigde is op grond van sy pleit van skuldig tereg daaraan skuldig bevind dat hy onwettig in besit was van 1,1 kilogram dagga ter oortreding van die bepalings van artikel 4(b) van Wet Nr. 140 van 1992. Die beskuldigde is vervolgens gevonnis tot 3 (drie) jaar gevangenisstraf.
[2] Soos reeds gemeld, het die beskuldigde skuldig gepleit. Uit sy mededelings, wat deur die staatsaanklaer aanvaar is, blyk dit dat die beskuldigde die dagga besit het vir doeleindes daarvan om dit self te rook. Hy is getroud en het drie kinders. Hy is die enigste broodwinner aangesien sy vrou aan tuberkulose ly. Hy doen bouwerk en ontvang daarvoor vergoeding van R300,00 per week. Hy is 33 jaar oud.
[3] Die beskuldigde is egter vier keer tevore gevonnis weens besit van dagga. In 1995 is hy gevonnis tot R500,00 of 90 (negentig) dae gevangenisstraf, in 2000 tot 6 (ses) maande gevangenisstraf en in 2001 tot R1 800,00 of 6 (ses) maande gevangenisstraf. Op 8 Januarie 2002 is die beskuldigde gevonnis vir besit van dagga tot R1 800,00 of 12 (twaalf) maande gevangenisstraf asook 9 (nege) maande gevangenisstraf wat voorwaardelik opgeskort is vir 4 (vier) jaar. Die onderhawige oortreding is gepleeg buite die gemelde opskortingstydperk van 4 (vier) jaar.
[4] Dit blyk uit die voormelde dat dit waarskynlik is dat die beskuldigde reeds vir etlike jare dagga rook. Daar is egter geen aanduiding op die oorkonde dat die beskuldigde aan dagga verslaaf is tot die mate dat hy sy gesondheid of werksvermoë benadeel nie. Hy het aan die landdros meegedeel dat hy gesond is en die landdros vermeld dat die beskuldigde vir hom ook gesond voorgekom het. In lig van die beskuldigde se vorige veroordelings kan in hierdie omstandighede nie fout gevind word daarmee dat die beskuldigde ân vonnis van direkte gevangenisstraf opgelê is nie. In al die omstandighede van hierdie saak, in besonder dat die morele verwytbaarheid van die misdryf waaraan die beskuldigde skuldig bevind is na my oordeel nie hoog is nie, is die opgelegde vonnis egter buitensporig swaar en moet dit vervang word met ân vonnis van 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf.
[5] Gevolglik word die skuldigbevinding bekragtig maar die vonnis tersyde gestel en vervang met ân vonnis van 18 (agtien) maande gevangenisstraf wat geag moet word opgelê te gewees het op 10 Julie 2006.
________
C.H.G. VAN DER MERWE, R
Ek stem saam.
____
C. VAN ZYL, R
/sp
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