S v Scholtz (545/96) [1999] ZASCA 2 (26 February 1999)
- Citation
- [1999] ZASCA 2
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- South Africa
- Court
- Supreme Court of Appeal
- Panel
- F H Grosskopf, Nienaber, Schutz
- Case number
- 545/96
More details
- Court
- Supreme Court of Appeal
- Panel
- F H Grosskopf, Nienaber, Schutz
- Case number
- 545/96
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court held that the sentence imposed by the trial court was not shockingly inappropriate. The appellant, a police officer, abused his position of authority and participated in a senseless and brutal attack on an innocent member of the public, resulting in death. Although the appellant was a first offender and young at the time, these factors did not outweigh the seriousness of the offence and the need for deterrence. The trial court did not misdirect itself, and there was no basis for interference with the sentence.
Court disposition
The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
Orders
- The appeal is dismissed.
02
Material facts
Parties
Alwyn Herculaas Scholtz
AppellantThe State
RespondentAmounts and remedies
- Sentence (years Imprisonment): 25
03
Procedural history
Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence of 25 years' imprisonment imposed for murder was shockingly inappropriate.
- 02
Whether the appellant, as a first offender and young police officer, merited a lesser sentence.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The appellant argued that the sentence of 25 years' imprisonment was excessive given that he was a first offender, only 21 years old at the time of the offence, and that the trial court should have considered these mitigating factors more favourably.
- Respondent
- The respondent contended that the sentence was appropriate in light of the gravity of the offence, the appellant's abuse of police authority, and the senseless and brutal nature of the attack resulting in the death of an innocent member of the public.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
S v Rabie 1975 (4) SA 855 (A)
A sentence will only be interfered with on appeal if it is disturbingly inappropriate or if the trial court misdirected itself.
- 02
S v Zinn 1969 (2) SA 537 (A)
Mitigating factors such as youth and being a first offender must be weighed against the seriousness of the offence and the interests of society.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court held that the sentence imposed by the trial court was not shockingly inappropriate. The appellant, a police officer, abused his position of authority and participated in a senseless and brutal attack on an innocent member of the public, resulting in death. Although the appellant was a first offender and young at the time, these factors did not outweigh the seriousness of the offence and the need for deterrence. The trial court did not misdirect itself, and there was no basis for interference with the sentence.
Obiter and limits
- The conduct of police officers in abusing their authority undermines public trust and must be met with severe punishment.
- The fact that the appellant's co-accused received the same sentence from a different judge reinforces the appropriateness of the penalty imposed.
Court disposition
The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
- The appeal is dismissed.
Source and reliance status
Supreme Court of Appeal
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.
Supreme Court of Appeal
Judgment
SAAKNOMMER: 545/96
In die saak tussen:ALWYN HERCULAAS SCHOLTZ AppellantenDIE STAAT Respondent
Coram : F H Grosskopf, Nienaber en Schutz,
ARR
Verhoor: 26 Februarie 1999Gelewer: 26 Februarie 1999______________
U I T S P R A A K
______________F H GROSSKOPF, AR:Die appellant is in die Witwatersrandse Plaaslike Afdeling skuldig bevind aan moord en tot 25 jaar gevangenisstraf gevonnis. Alhoewel die hof a quo verlof aan hom verleen het om teen sowel sy skuldigbevinding as vonnis na hierdie hof te appelleer, is die appèl voor ons voortgesit slegs teen die vonnis wat hom opgelê is.Die appellant was ’n lid van die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens en die senior persoon in beheer van die skof toe die moord gepleeg is. Hy en sy mede-beskuldigde, ook ’n polisieman, het hulle skuldig gemaak aan growwe magsmisbruik. Hulle het ’n onskuldige lid van die publiek voorgekeer en sonder rede begin aanrand. Dit was ’n sinnelose optrede. Daardie persoon is dood as gevolg van hulle voortgesette wrede aanval op hom. Die appellant se mede-beskuldigde het skuldig gepleit. Hy is deur ’n ander regter verhoor en ook tot 25 jaar gevangenisstraf gevonnis.Die hof a quo het voor oë gehou dat die appellant ’n eerste oortreder was wat 21 jaar oud was toe hy die misdaad gepleeg het. Daar is geen bewering dat die verhoorregter hom in enige opsig wanvoorgelig het nie. Na my mening is die vonnis ook nie skokkend onvanpas nie.Daar is na my oordeel geen meriete in die appèl nie en die appèl word van die hand gewys. ------------------
F H Grosskopf
Appèlregter
Nienaber AR)
stem saam
Schutz AR)
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