S v Rathaba [2009] ZAFSHC 92 (25 September 2009)
- Citation
- [2009] ZAFSHC 92
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- A Kruger, SPB Hancke
- Case number
- 446/09
More details
- Court
- Free State High Court, Bloemfontein
- Panel
- A Kruger, SPB Hancke
- Case number
- 446/09
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The magistrate erred in imposing four years of corrective supervision, exceeding the statutory maximum permitted by section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The review court accepted the magistrate's request to reduce the term to three years, ensuring compliance with the law. The remainder of the sentence, namely eight years' imprisonment suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not convicted of murder during the suspension period, remains unchanged. The amended sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 11 June 2009, in accordance with section 282 of the Act.
Court disposition
Sentence amended on review to comply with statutory limits.
Orders
- The sentence of four years corrective supervision is replaced with three years corrective supervision under section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, on the conditions set out in annexure 'D' to the court papers.
- In addition, the accused is sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, suspended for four years on condition that he is not convicted of murder committed during the period of suspension.
- The amended sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 11 June 2009.
02
Material facts
Parties
The State
ApplicantPheello Sam Rathaba
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Corrective Supervision Term (years): 3
- Suspended Imprisonment Term (years): 8
- Suspension Period (years): 4
03
Procedural history
Posture
Review Application / Post Sentencing Review
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the magistrate was empowered to impose more than three years of corrective supervision under section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
- 02
Whether the sentence should be amended to comply with statutory limits.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The magistrate requested that the imposed term of four years corrective supervision be reduced to three years, acknowledging the statutory limit under section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
- Respondent
- No formal opposition or argument from the accused; the review was initiated by the magistrate to correct the sentencing error.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, section 276(1)(h)
A magistrate may not impose more than three years of corrective supervision under section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
- 02
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, section 282
A court may amend a sentence on review to comply with statutory requirements.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The magistrate erred in imposing four years of corrective supervision, exceeding the statutory maximum permitted by section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act. The review court accepted the magistrate's request to reduce the term to three years, ensuring compliance with the law. The remainder of the sentence, namely eight years' imprisonment suspended for four years on condition that the accused is not convicted of murder during the suspension period, remains unchanged. The amended sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 11 June 2009, in accordance with section 282 of the Act.
Obiter and limits
- The review process serves to correct judicial errors and ensure sentences comply with statutory limits.
- Magistrates should be vigilant in applying statutory sentencing provisions to avoid similar errors.
Court disposition
Sentence amended on review to comply with statutory limits.
- The sentence of four years corrective supervision is replaced with three years corrective supervision under section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977, on the conditions set out in annexure 'D' to the court papers.
- In addition, the accused is sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, suspended for four years on condition that he is not convicted of murder committed during the period of suspension.
- The amended sentence is deemed to have been imposed on 11 June 2009.
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 HOE HOF, BLOEMFONTEIN
REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA
Hersiening Nr. : 446/09
In die hersiening tussen:-
DIE
STAAT
En
PHEELLO
SAM RATHABA CORAM:
HANCKE, R et KRUGER,
R
UITSPRAAK DEUR:
KRUGER, R GELEWEROP:
25 SEPTEMBER 2009
[1] Beskuldigde is in die streekhof skuldigbevind aan moord nadat hy skuldig gepleit net. Die streeklanddros het die beskuldigde ingevolge artikel 276(1 )(h) van Wet 51 van 1977 tot korrektiewe toesig van vier jaar gevonnis en daarbenewens tot agt jaar gevangenisstraf wat vir vier jaar opgeskort is op voorwaarde dat beskuldigde nie weer skuldig bevind word aan moord gepleeg gedurende die tydperk van opskorting nie.
[2] Nadat vonnis opgele is, het die streeklanddros besef dat hy nie korrektiewe toesig van meer as drie jaar ingevolge artikel 276(1 )(h) kon ople nie en die streeklanddros vra dat die termyn van vier jaar na drie jaar verander word. Die landdros se versoek moet toegestaan word.
[3] Die vonnis word vervang met die volgende:
Die beskuldigde word ingevolge artikel 276(1 )(h) van Wet 51 van 1977 gevonnis tot korrektiewe toesig van drie jaar op die voorwaardes
soos uiteengesit in aanhangsel "D" by die hofstukke.
Benewens bogenoemde word beskuldigde gevonnis tot agt jaar gevangenisstraf opgeskort vir vier jaar op voorwaarde dat beskuldigde nie weer skuldigbevind word aan moord gepleeg gedurende die tydperk van opskorting nie.
Hierdie vonnis word ingevolge artikel 282 van Wet 51 van 1977 geag opgele te gewees het op 11 Junie 2009.
A. KRUGER, R
Ek stem saam.
S.P.B. HANCKE, R
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