South Africa Case Law

S v Niemand (CCT 28/00)

S v Niemand (CCT 28/00) [2001] ZACC 11; 2002 (1) SA 21 (CC); 2002 (3) BCLR 219 (CC); 2001 (2) SACR 654 (CC); 2001 (11) BCLR 1181 (CC) (8 October 2001)

Court

Constitutional Court

Case number

CCT 28/00

Judges

Madala, Chaskalson, Ackermann, Goldstone, Kriegler, Mokgoro, Ngcobo, Sachs, Yacoob, Madlanga

The Constitutional Court held that section 286 of the Criminal Procedure Act read with section 65(4)(b)(iv) of the Correctional Services Act is unconstitutional because it permits the indefinite detention of habitual criminals without a statutory maximum period. This indeterminacy exposes prisoners to the risk of lifelong incarceration for non-violent offences, which is grossly disproportionate and constitutes cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment under section 12(1)(e) of the Constitution. The absence of a maximum period is not cured by departmental practice or inferred limits. The appropr…

Source excerpt

• Indeterminate Sentencing
• Cruel Inhuman Or Degrading Punishment
• Habitual Criminals
• Reading In Remedy
• Section 12 Rights