South Africa Case Law

Van Vuuren v Esterhuizen NO en 'n Ander (481/94)

Van Vuuren v Esterhuizen NO en 'n Ander (481/94) [1996] ZASCA 72; 1996 (4) SA 603 (SCA); [1996] 4 All SA 430 (A); (31 May 1996)

Court

Supreme Court of Appeal

Case number

481/94

Judges

C.T. Howie, E.M. Grosskopf, Vivier, Marais, Plewman

The Supreme Court of Appeal held that proceedings under section 119 of the Criminal Procedure Act do not constitute 'criminal proceedings' for the purposes of the Inquests Act. Therefore, the prosecutor's decision not to prosecute at that stage did not preclude the lawful institution of an inquest. The Court found no evidence of abuse of process, as the prosecutor acted within his powers and did not use the inquest for an improper purpose. The appellant's concerns regarding self-incrimination and fair trial rights were considered premature, as any potential prejudice could be addressed during…

Source excerpt

• Inquest Proceedings
• Criminal Proceedings Definition
• Self Incrimination Privilege
• Fair Trial Rights