Criminal Procedure Act

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT
NO. 51 OF 1977
As Amended by
Criminal Procedure Matters Amendment Act, No. 79 of 1978 (RSA)
Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, No. 56 of 1979 (RSA)
Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, No. 15 of 1981
Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
Criminal Procedure Matters Act 31 of 1985
Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 5 of 1991
Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000
International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act 9 of 2000
Appeal Laws Amendment Act 10 of 2001
Combating of Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003
Maintenance Act 9 of 2003
ACT
To make provision for procedures and related matters in criminal
proceedings.
1.
Definitions. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates-
"aggravating circumstances", in relation to (a) any offence, whether under the common law or a statutory
provision, of housebreaking or attempted housebreaking with
intent to commit an offence, means (i) the possession of a dangerous weapon; or
(ii) the commission of an assault or a threat to commit an
assault,
by the offender or an accomplice on the occasion when the
offence is committed, whether before or during or after the
commission of the offence;
(b) robbery or attempted robbery, means (i)
the wielding of a fire-arm or any other dangerous
weapon;
(ii)
the infliction of grievous bodily harm; or
(iii)
a threat to inflict grievous bodily harm,
by the offender or an accomplice on the occasion when the
offence is committed, whether before or during or after the
commission of the offence;
"bank"
means a banking institution as defined in section 1 of
the Banks Act, 1965 (Act 23 of 1965), and includes the Land and
Agricultural Bank of South Africa referred to in section 3 of the
Land Bank Act, 1944 (Act 13 of 1944), and a building society as
defined in section 1 of the Building Societies Act, 1965 (Act 24 of
1965);
"charge"
includes an indictment and a summons;
complainant, in relation to an offence of sexual or indecent

nature, means a person towards or in connection with whom any
such offence, is alleged to have been committed, irrespective of
whether or not that person has actually laid a complaint or gives
evidence in the criminal proceedings in question;.
Definition of complainant inserted by Section 11 of the
Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000
"criminal proceedings"
Chapter 20;
includes a preparatory examination under
"day" means the space of time between sunrise and sunset;

"justice" means a person who is a justice of the peace under the
provisions of the Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths
Act, 1963 (Act 16 of 1963);
"law",
in relation to the territory, includes a law as defined
in "The Interpretation of Laws Proclamation, 1920" (Proclamation 37
of 1920 of the territory);
"local division"
means a local division of the Supreme Court
established under the Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59 of 1959);
"lower court" means any court established under the provisions of
the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944);
"magistrate"
includes an additional magistrate and an assistant
magistrate but not a regional magistrate;
"magistrate's court"
means a court established for any district
under the provisions of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32
of 1944), and includes any other court established under such
provisions, other than a court for a regional division;
"Minister"
"night"
means the Minister of Justice;

means the space of time between sunset and sunrise;
"offence" means an act or omission punishable by law;

"peace officer"
includes any magistrate, justice, police
official, member of the prisons service as defined in section 1 of
the Prisons Act, 1959 (Act 8 of 1959), and, in relation to any
area, offence, class of offence or power referred to in a notice
issued under section 334(1), any person who is a peace officer
under that section;
1995
"police official"
means any member of the Force as defined in
section 1 of the Police Act, 1958 (Act 7 of 1958), and any member
of the Railway Police Force appointed under section 57 (1) of the
Railways and Harbours Control and Management (Consolidation) Act,
1957 (Act 70 of 1957); and "police" has a corresponding meaning;
"premises"
includes land, any building or structure, or any
vehicle, conveyance, ship, boat or aircraft;
"province"
includes the territory;
"provincial administration"
territory;
includes the Administration of the
"provincial division"
means a provincial division of the Supreme
Court established under the Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59 of
1959);
"regional court"
means a court established for a regional
division under the provisions of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944
(Act 32 of 1944);
"regional magistrate"
means a magistrate appointed under the
provisions of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944),
to the court for a regional division:
"Republic"
includes the territory;
"rules of court"
means the rules made under section 43 of the
Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59 of 1959), or under section 25 of
the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944);
"special superior court" means
constituted under section 148;
the
special
superior
court
"State"
in relation to a department of State, includes the
Administration of the territory;
"superior court"
means a provincial or local division of the
Supreme Court established under the Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59
of 1959);
"supreme court"
means the Supreme Court of South Africa
established under the Supreme Court Act, 1959 (Act 59 of 1959);
"territory"
means the territory of South West Africa;
"this Act"
includes the rules of court and any regulations made
1995
under this Act.

(2)
Any reference in any law to an inferior court shall, unless

the context of such law indicates otherwise, be construed as
a reference to a lower court as defined in subsection (1).
CHAPTER 1
PROSECUTING AUTHORITY
2.
Authority to prosecute vested in State.(1) The authority to institute and to conduct a prosecution
in respect of any offence in relation to which any lower
or superior court in the Republic exercises jurisdiction,
shall vest in the State.
(2) Criminal proceedings purporting to be instituted in the
name of the State in any court in the Republic, shall for
all purposes be deemed to be instituted in the name of
the Republic of South Africa.
3.
Attorney-general the prosecuting authority on behalf of

State.(l) The State President shall, subject to the laws relating
to the public service, appoint in respect of the area of
jurisdiction of each provincial division an attorneygeneral, who, on behalf of the State and subject to the
provisions of this Act(a) shall have authority to prosecute, in the name of
the Republic in criminal proceedings in any court
in the area in respect of which he has been
appointed, any person in respect of any offence in
regard to which any court in the said area has
jurisdiction; and
(b) may perform all functions relating to the exercise
of such authority.
(2) The authority conferred upon an attorney-general under
subsection (1) shall include the authority to prosecute
in any court any appeal arising from any criminal
proceedings within the area of jurisdiction of the
attorney-general concerned.
(3) The Minister may, subject to the laws relating to the
public service, in respect of each area for which an
attorney-general has been appointed, appoint one or more
deputy attorneys-general, who may, subject to the control
and directions of the attorney-general concerned, do
anything which may lawfully be done by the attorneygeneral.
1995
(4)
(5)
(6)
(a)
(b)
Whenever
it
becomes necessary
that
an
acting
attorney-general be appointed, the Minister may appoint
any competent officer in the public service to act as
attorney-general for the period for which such
appointment may be necessary.
An attorney-general shall exercise his authority and
perform his functions under this Act or under any other
law subject to the control and directions of the
Minister, who may reverse any decision arrived at by an
attorney-general and may himself in general or in any
specific matter exercise any part of such authority and
perform any of such functions.
Any reference in any law to the solicitor-general or a
deputy solicitor-general in respect of the area of
jurisdiction of the Eastern Cape Division of the Supreme
Court, shall be construed as a reference to the attorneygeneral
and
deputy
attorney-general
respectively
appointed in respect of the area of jurisdiction of that
Division.
Any reference in any law of the territory to the Crown
Prosecutor shall be construed as a reference to the
attorney-general appointed in respect of the area of
jurisdiction of the South West Africa Division of the
Supreme Court.
4.
Delegation, and local public prosecutor. An attorney-general may in writing (a) delegate to any person, subject to the control and
directions of the attorney-general, authority to conduct
on behalf of the State any prosecution in criminal
proceedings in any court within the area of jurisdiction
of such attorney-general, or to prosecute in any court on
behalf of the State any appeal arising from criminal
proceedings within the area of jurisdiction of such
attorney-general;
(b) appoint any officer of the State as public prosecutor to
any lower court within his area of jurisdiction who
shall, as the representative of the attorney-general and
subject to his control and directions, institute and
conduct on behalf of the State any prosecution in
criminal proceedings in such lower court.
5.
Presiding judicial officer may in certain circumstances

appoint prosecutor. (1) If the person delegated or appointed to conduct a
prosecution in criminal proceedings in any court is for
any reason unable to discharge that function, or if no
such person has been delegated or appointed, the judge or
judicial officer presiding at such criminal proceedings
1995
(2)
may, in writing under his hand, designate any competent

person to conduct such prosecution in particular criminal
proceedings or in all criminal proceedings on any particular day.
A person designated under subsection (1) shall in respect
of the exercise of his powers and the discharge of his
functions be subject to the control and directions of the
attorney-general concerned.
6.
Power to withdraw charge or stop prosecution. An attorney-general or any person conducting a prosecution at the
instance of the State or any body or person conducting a
prosecution under section 8, may (a) before an accused pleads to a charge, withdraw that charge, in
which event the accused shall not be entitled to a verdict of
acquittal in respect of that charge;
(b) at any time after an accused has pleaded, but before
conviction, stop the prosecution in respect of that charge, in
which event the court trying the accused shall acquit the
accused in respect of that charge: Provided that where a
prosecution is conducted by a person other than an attorneygeneral or a body or person referred to in section 8, the
prosecution shall not be stopped unless the attorney-general
or any person authorized thereto by the attorney-general,
whether in general or in any particular case, has consented
thereto.
7.
(l)
(2)
1995
Private prosecution on certificate nolle prosequi. In any case in which an attorney-general declines to prosecute
for an alleged offence (a) any private person who proves some substantial and
peculiar interest in the issue of the trial arising out
of some injury which he individually suffered in
consequence of the commission of the said offence;
(b) a husband, if the said offence was committed in respect
of his wife;
(c) the wife or child or, if there is no wife or child, any
of the next of kin of any deceased person, if the death
of such person is alleged to have been caused by the said
offence; or
(d) the legal guardian or curator of a minor or lunatic, if
the said offence was committed against his ward,
may, subject to the provisions of section 9, either in person
or by a legal representative, institute and conduct a
prosecution in respect of such offence in any court competent
to try that offence.
(a) No private prosecutor under this section shall obtain the
process of any court for summoning any person to answer
any charge unless such private prosecutor produces to the
(b)
(c)
(d)
8.
(l)
(2)
(3)
9.
(l)
1995
officer authorized by law to issue such process a

certificate signed by the attorney-general that he has
seen the statements or affidavits on which the charge is
based and that he declines to prosecute at the instance
of the State.
The attorney-general shall, in any case in which he
declines to prosecute, at the request of the person
intending to prosecute, grant the certificate referred to
in paragraph (a).
A certificate issued under this subsection shall lapse
unless proceedings in respect of the offence in question
are instituted by the issue of the process referred to in
paragraph (a) within three months of the date of the
certificate.
The provisions of paragraph (c) shall apply also with
reference
to
a
certificate
granted
before
the
commencement of this Act under the provisions of any law
repealed by this Act, and the date of such certificate
shall, for the purposes of this paragraph, be deemed to
be the date of commencement of this Act.
Private prosecution under statutory right. Any body upon which or person upon whom the right to prosecute
in respect of any offence is expressly conferred by law, may
institute and conduct a prosecution in respect of such offence
in any court competent to try that offence.
A body which or a person who intends exercising a right of
prosecution under subsection (1), shall exercise such right
only after consultation with the attorney-general concerned
and after the attorney-general has withdrawn his right of
prosecution in respect of any specified offence or any
specified class or category of offences with reference to
which such body or person may by law exercise such right of
prosecution.
An attorney-general may, under subsection (2), withdraw his
right of prosecution on such conditions as he may deem fit,
including a condition that the appointment by such body or
person of a prosecutor to conduct the prosecution in question
shall be subject to the approval of the attorney-general, and
that the attorney-general may at any time exercise with
reference to any such prosecution any power which he might
have exercised if he had not withdrawn his right of
prosecution.
Security by private prosecutor. No private prosecutor referred to in section 7 shall take out
or issue any process commencing the private prosecution unless
he deposits with the magistrate's court in whose area of
jurisdiction the offence was committed -
(a)
(2)
(3)
10.
(l)
(2)
(3)
11.
(l)
(2)
1995
the sum of one hundred rand as security that he will

prosecute the charge against the accused to a conclusion
without undue delay; and
(b) the amount such court may determine as security for the
costs which the accused may incur in respect of his
defence to the charge.
The accused may, when he is called upon to plead to the
charge, apply to the court hearing the charge to review the
amount determined under subsection (1) (b), whereupon the
court may, before the accused pleads (a) require the private prosecutor to deposit such additional
amount as the court may determine with the magistrate's
court in which the said amount was deposited; or
(b) direct that the private prosecutor enter into a
recognizance, with or without sureties, in such
additional amount as the court may determine.
Where a private prosecutor fails to prosecute a charge against
an accused to a conclusion without undue delay or where a
charge is dismissed under section 11, the amount referred to
in subsection (1) (a) shall be forfeited to the State.
Private prosecution in name of private prosecutor. A private prosecution shall be instituted and conducted and
all process in connection therewith issued in the name of the
private prosecutor.
The indictment, charge-sheet or summons, as the case may be,
shall describe the private prosecutor with certainty and
precision and shall, except in the case of a body referred to
in section 8, be signed by such prosecutor or his legal
representative.
Two or more persons shall not prosecute in the same charge
except where two or more persons have been injured by the same
offence.
Failure of private prosecutor to appear. If the private prosecutor does not appear on the day set down
for the appearance of the accused in the magistrate's court or
for the trial of the accused, the charge against the accused
shall be dismissed unless the court has reason to believe that
the private prosecutor was prevented from being present by
circumstances beyond his control, in which event the court may
adjourn the case to a later date.
Where the charge is so dismissed, the accused shall forthwith
be discharged from custody and may not in respect of that
charge be prosecuted privately again but the attorney-general
or a public prosecutor with the consent of the attorneygeneral may at the instance of the State prosecute the accused
in respect of that charge.
12.
(l)
(2)
Mode of conducting private prosecution. A private prosecution shall, subject to the provisions of this
Act, be proceeded with in the same manner as if it were a
prosecution at the instance of the State: Provided that the
person in respect of whom the private prosecution is
instituted shall be brought before the court only by way of
summons in the case of a lower court, or an indictment in the
case of a superior court, except where he is under arrest in
respect of an offence with regard to which a right of private
prosecution is vested in any body or person under section 8.
Where the prosecution is instituted under section 7 (1) and
the accused pleads guilty to the charge, the prosecution shall
be continued at the instance of the State.
13. Attorney-general may intervene in private prosecution. An attorney-general or a local public prosecutor acting on the
instructions of the attorney-general, may in respect of any private
prosecution apply by motion to the court before which the private
prosecution is pending to stop all further proceedings in the case
in order that a prosecution for the offence in question may be
instituted or, as the case may be, continued at the instance of the
State, and the court shall make such an order.
14. Costs in respect of process. A private prosecutor, other than a prosecutor contemplated in
section 8, shall in respect of any process relating to the private
prosecution, pay to the clerk or, as the case may be, the registrar
of the court in question, the fees prescribed under the rules of
court for the service or execution of such process.
15.
(l)
(2)
1995
Costs of private prosecution. The costs and expenses of a private prosecutor shall, subject
to the provisions of subsection (2), be paid by the private
prosecutor.
The court may order a person convicted upon a private
prosecution, including any person convicted under section 25
(1) of the Children's Act, 1960 (Act 33 of 1960), of having
conduced to the commission of an offence, to pay the costs and
expenses of the prosecution, including the costs of any appeal
against such conviction or any sentence: Provided that the
provisions of this subsection shall not apply with reference
to any prosecution instituted and conducted under section 8:
Provided further that where a private prosecution is
instituted after the grant of a certificate by an attorneygeneral that he declines to prosecute and the accused is
convicted, the court may order the costs and expenses of the
private prosecution, including the costs of an appeal arising
from such prosecution, to be paid by the State.
10
16.
(l)
(2)
17.
(l)
(2)
18.
(l)
(2)
Costs of accused in private prosecution. Where in a private prosecution, other than a prosecution
contemplated in section 8, the charge against the accused is
dismissed or the accused is acquitted or a decision in favour
of the accused is given on appeal, the court dismissing the
charge or acquitting the accused or deciding in favour of the
accused on appeal, may order the private prosecutor to pay to
such accused the whole or any part of the costs and expenses
incurred by him in connection with the prosecution or, as the
case may be, the appeal.
Where the court is of the opinion that a private prosecution
was unfounded and vexatious, it shall award to the accused at
his request such costs and expenses incurred by him as it may
deem fit.
Taxation of costs. The provisions of section 300 (3) shall apply with reference
to any order or award made under section 15 or 16 in
connection with costs and expenses.
Costs awarded under section 15 or 16 shall be taxed according
to the scale, in civil cases, of the court which makes the
award or, if the award is made by a regional court, according
to the scale, in civil cases, of a magistrate's court, or,
where there is more than one such scale, according to the
scale determined by the court making the award.
Prescription of right to institute prosecution. The right to institute a prosecution for any offence, other
than an offence in respect of which the sentence of death may
be imposed, shall, unless some other period is expressly
provided by law, lapse after the expiration of a period of
twenty years from the time when the offence was committed.
The right to institute a prosecution for an offence in respect
of which the sentence of death may be imposed, shall not be
barred by lapse of time.
CHAPTER 2
SEARCH WARRANTS, ENTERING OF PREMISES, SEIZURE, FORFEITURE AND
DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY CONNECTED WITH OFFENCES
19. Saving as to certain powers conferred by other laws. The provisions of this Chapter shall not derogate from any power
conferred by any other law to enter any premises or to search any
person, container or premises or to seize any matter, to declare
any matter forfeited or to dispose of any matter.
20.
1995
State may seize certain articles. -
10
11
The State may, in accordance with the provisions of this

Chapter, seize anything (in this Chapter referred to as an article)
(a) which is concerned in or is on reasonable grounds believed to
be concerned in the commission or suspected commission of an
offence, whether within the Republic or elsewhere;
(b) which may afford evidence of the commission or suspected
commission of an offence, whether within the Republic or
elsewhere; or
(c) which is intended to be used or is on reasonable grounds
believed to be intended to be used in the commission of an
offence.
21.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
22.
1995
Article to be seized under search warrant. Subject to the provisions of sections 22, 24 and 25, an
article referred to in section 20 shall be seized only by
virtue of a search warrant issued (a) by a magistrate or justice, if it appears to such
magistrate or justice from information on oath that there
are reasonable grounds for believing that any such
article is in the possession or under the control of or
upon any person or upon or at any premises within his
area of jurisdiction; or
(b) by a judge or judicial officer presiding at criminal
proceedings, if it appears to such judge or judicial
officer that any such article in the possession or under
the control of any person or upon or at any premises is
required in evidence at such proceedings.
A search warrant issued under subsection (1) shall require a
police official to seize the article in question and shall to
that end authorize such police official to search any person
identified in the warrant, or to enter and search any premises
identified in the warrant and to search any person found on or
at such premises.
(a) A search warrant shall be executed by day, unless the
person issuing the warrant in writing authorizes the
execution thereof by night.
(b) A search warrant may be issued on any day and shall be of
force until it is executed or is cancelled by the person
who issued it or, if such person is not available, by a
person with like authority.
A police official executing a warrant under this section or
section 25 shall, after such execution, upon demand of any
person whose rights in respect of any search or article seized
under the warrant have been affected, hand to him a copy of
the warrant.
Circumstances in which article may be seized without search
warrant. -
11
12
A police official may without a search warrant search any person

or container or premises for the purpose of seizing any article
referred to in section 20 (a) if the person concerned consents to the search for and the
seizure of the article in question, or if the person who may
consent to the search of the container or premises consents to
such search and the seizure of the article in question; or
(b) if he on reasonable grounds believes (i) that a search warrant will be issued to him under
paragraph (a) of section 21(1) if he applies for such
warrant; and
(ii) that the delay in obtaining such warrant would defeat the
object of the search.
23. Search of arrested person and seizure of article. On the arrest of any person, the person making the arrest may (a) if he is a peace officer, search the person arrested and seize
any article referred to in section 20 which is found in the
possession of or in the custody or under the control of the
person arrested, and where such peace officer is not a police
official, he shall forthwith deliver any such article to a
police official; or
(b) if he is not a peace officer, seize any article referred to in
section 20 which is in the possession of or in the custody or
under the control of the person arrested and shall forthwith
deliver any such article to a police official.
24. Search by occupant of land. Any person who is lawfully in charge or occupation of any premises
and who reasonably suspects that stolen stock or produce, as
defined in any law relating to the theft of stock or produce, is on
or in the premises concerned, or that any article has been placed
thereon or therein or is in the custody or possession of any person
upon or in such premises in contravention of any law relating to
intoxicating
liquor,
dependence-producing
drugs,
arms
and
ammunition or explosives, may at any time, if a police official is
not readily available, enter such premises for the purpose of
searching such premises and any person thereon or therein, and if
any such stock, produce or article is found, he shall take
possession thereof and forthwith deliver it to a police official.
Section 24 amended by section 1 of the Criminal Procedure Matters
Amendment Act 31 of 1985
25.
(1)
1995
Power of police to enter premises in connection with State

security or any offence. If it appears to a magistrate or justice from information on
oath that there are reasonable grounds for believing (a) that the internal security of the Republic or the
12
13
(2)
(3)
maintenance of law and order is likely to be endangered

by or in consequence of any meeting which is being held
or is to be held in or upon any premises within his area
of jurisdiction; or
(b) that an offence has been or is being or is likely to be
committed or that preparations or arrangements for the
commission of any offence are being or are likely to be
made in or upon any premises within his area of jurisdiction,
he may issue a warrant authorizing a police official to enter
the premises in question at any reasonable time for the
purpose (i)
of carrying out such investigations and of taking
such steps as such police official may consider
necessary for the preservation of the internal
security of the Republic or for the maintenance of
law and order or for the prevention of any offence;
(ii)
of searching the premises or any person in or upon
the premises for any article referred to in section
20 which such police official on reasonable grounds
suspects to be in or upon or at the premises or
upon such person; and
(iii)
of seizing any such article.
A warrant under subsection (1) may be issued on any day and
shall be of force until it is executed or is cancelled by the
person who issued it or, if such person is not available, by a
person with like authority.
A police official may without warrant act under subparagraphs
(i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (1) if he on reasonable
grounds believes (a) that a warrant will be issued to him under paragraph (a)
or (b) of subsection (1) if he applies for such warrant;
and
(b) that the delay in obtaining such warrant would defeat the
object thereof.
26. Entering of premises for purposes of obtaining evidence. Where a police official in the investigation of an offence or
alleged offence reasonably suspects that a person who may furnish
information with reference to any such offence is on any premises,
such police official may without warrant enter such premises for
the purpose of interrogating such person and obtaining a statement
from him: Provided that such police official shall not enter any
private dwelling without the consent of the occupier thereof.
27.
(l)
1995
Resistance against entry or search. A police official who may lawfully search any person or any
premises or who may enter any premises under section 26, may
use such force as may be reasonably necessary to overcome any
13
14
(2)
28.
(l)
(2)
resistance
against
such search or against entry of the
premises, including the breaking of any door or window of such
premises: Provided that such police official shall first
audibly demand admission to the premises and notify the
purpose for which he seeks to enter such premises.
The proviso to subsection (1) shall not apply where the police
official concerned is on reasonable grounds of the opinion
that any article which is the subject of the search may be
destroyed or disposed of if the provisions of the said proviso
are first complied with.
Wrongful search an offence, and award of damages. A police official (a) who acts contrary to the authority of a search warrant
issued under section 21 or a warrant issued under section
25 (1); or
(b) who, without being authorized thereto under this Chapter(i) searches any person or container or premises or
seizes or detains any article; or
(ii) performs any act contemplated in subparagraph (i),
(ii) or (iii) of section 25 (1),
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a
fine not exceeding two hundred rand or to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding six months, and shall in addition be
subject to an award under subsection (2).
Where any person falsely gives information on oath under
section 21 (1) or 25 (1) and a search warrant or, as the case
may be, a warrant is issued and executed on such information,
and such person is in consequence of such false information
convicted of perjury, the court convicting such person may,
upon the application of any person who has suffered damage in
consequence of the unlawful entry, search or seizure, as the
case may be, or upon the application of the prosecutor acting
on the instructions of that person, award compensation in
respect of such damage, whereupon the provisions of section
300 shall mutatis mutandis apply with reference to such award.
29. Search to be conducted in decent and orderly manner. A search of any person or premises shall be conducted with strict
regard to decency and order, and a woman shall be searched by a
woman only, and if no female police official is available, the
search shall be made by any woman designated for the purpose by a
police official.
30. Disposal by police official of article after seizure. A police official who seizes any article referred to in section 20
or to whom any such article is under the provisions of this Chapter
delivered (a) may, if the article is perishable, with due regard to the
1995
14
15
(b)
(c)
31.
(l)
(2)
32.
(1)
(2)
1995
interests of the persons concerned,

dispose
of
the
article in such manner as the circumstances may require; or
may, if the article is stolen property or property suspected
to be stolen, with the consent of the person from whom it was
seized, deliver the article to the person from whom, in the
opinion of such police official, such article was stolen, and
shall warn such person to hold such article available for
production at any resultant criminal proceedings, if required
to do so; or
shall, if the article is not disposed of or delivered under
the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b), give it a distinctive
identification mark and retain it in police custody or make
such other arrangements with regard to the custody thereof as
the circumstances may require.
Disposal of article where no criminal proceedings are
instituted or where it is not required for criminal
proceedings. (a) If no criminal proceedings are instituted in connection
with any article referred to in section 30 (c) or if it
appears that such article is not required at the trial
for purposes of evidence or for purposes of an order of
court, the article shall be returned to the person from
whom it was seized, if such person may lawfully possess
such article, or, if such person may not lawfully possess
such article, to the person who may lawfully possess it.
(b) If no person may lawfully possess such article or if the
police official concerned does not know of any person who
may lawfully possess such article, the article shall be
forfeited to the State.
The person who may lawfully possess the article in question
shall be notified by registered post at his last-known address
that he may take possession of the article and if such person
fails to take delivery of the article within thirty days from
the date of such notification, the article shall be forfeited
to the State.
Disposal of article where criminal proceedings are instituted
and admission of guilt fine is paid. If criminal proceedings are instituted in connection with any
article referred to in section 30 (c) and the accused admits
his guilt in accordance with the provisions of section 57, the
article shall be returned to the person from whom it was
seized, if such person may lawfully possess such article, or,
if such person may not lawfully possess such article, to the
person who may lawfully possess it, whereupon the provisions
of section 31(2) shall apply with reference to any such
person.
If no person may lawfully possess such article or if the
15
16
police official concerned does not know of any person who

may lawfully possess such article, the article shall be
33.
(l)
(2)
(3)
34.
(l)
1995
Article to be transferred to court for purposes of trial. If criminal proceedings are instituted in connection with any
article referred to in section 30 (c) and such article is
required at the trial for the purposes of evidence or for the
purposes of an order of court, the police official concerned
shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of this
section, deliver such article to the clerk of the court where
such criminal proceedings are instituted.
If it is by reason of the nature, bulk or value of the article
in question impracticable or undesirable that the article
should be delivered to the clerk of the court in terms of
subsection (1), the clerk of the court may require the police
official concerned to retain the article in police custody or
in such other custody as may be determined in terms of section
30 (c).
(a) The clerk of the court shall place any article received
under subsection (1) in safe custody, which may include
the deposit of money in an official banking account if
such money is not required at the trial for the purposes
of evidence.
(b) Where the trial in question is to be conducted in a court
other than a court of which such clerk is the clerk of
the court, such clerk of the court shall(i) transfer any article received under subsection (1),
other than money deposited in a banking account
under paragraph (a) of this subsection, to the
clerk of the court or, as the case may be, the
registrar of the court in which the trial is to be
conducted, and such clerk or registrar of the court
shall place such article in safe custody;
(ii) in the case of any article retained in police
custody or in some other custody in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (2) or in the case of
any money deposited in a banking account under
paragraph (a) of this subsection, advise the clerk
or registrar of such other court of the fact of
such custody or such deposit, as the case may be.
Disposal
of
article
after
commencement
of
criminal
proceedings. The judge or judicial officer presiding at criminal
proceedings shall at the conclusion of such proceedings, but
subject to the provisions of this Act or any other law under
which any matter shall or may be forfeited, make an order that
any article referred to in section 33 -
16
17
(a)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
35.
(l)
1995
be returned to the person from whom it was seized,

if such person may lawfully possess such article; or
(b) if such person is not entitled to the article or cannot
lawfully possess the article, be returned to any other
person entitled thereto, if such person may lawfully
possess the article; or
(c) if no person is entitled to the article or if no person
may lawfully possess the article or, if the person who is
entitled thereto cannot be traced or is unknown, be
The court may, for the purpose of any order under subsection
(1), hear such additional evidence, whether by affidavit or
orally, as it may deem fit.
If the judge or judicial officer concerned does not, at the
conclusion of the relevant proceedings, make an order under
subsection (1), such judge or judicial officer or, if he is
not available, any other judge or judicial officer of the
court in question, may at any time after the conclusion of the
proceedings make any such order, and for that purpose hear
such additional evidence, whether by affidavit or orally, as
he may deem fit.
Any order made under subsection (1) or (3) may be suspended
pending any appeal or review.
Where the court makes an order under paragraph (a) or (b) of
subsection (1), the provisions of section 31(2) shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to the person in favour of whom
such order is made.
If the circumstances so require or if the criminal proceedings
in question cannot for any reason be disposed of the judge or
judicial officer concerned may make any order referred to in
paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1) at any stage of
the proceedings.
Forfeiture of article to State. A court which convicts an accused of any offence may, without
notice to any person, declare (a) any weapon, instrument or other article by means whereof
the offence in question was committed or which was used
in the commission of such offence; or
(b) if the conviction is in respect of an offence referred to
in Part I of Schedule 2, any vehicle, container or other
article which was used for the purpose of or in
connection with the commission of the offence in question
or for the conveyance or removal of the stolen property,
and which was seized under the provisions of this Act,
forfeited to the State: Provided that such forfeiture shall
not affect any right referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii)
of subsection (4) (a) if it is proved that the person who
claims such right did not know that such weapon, instrument,
17
18
(2)
(3)
(4)
1995
vehicle, container or other article was being used or would

be used for the purpose of or in connection with the
commission of the offence in question or, as the case may be,
for the conveyance or removal of the stolen property in
question, or that he could not prevent such use, and that he
may lawfully possess such weapon, instrument, vehicle,
container or other article, as the case may be.
A court which convicts an accused or which finds an accused
not guilty of any offence, shall declare forfeited to the
State any article seized under the provisions of this Act
which is forged or counterfeit or which cannot lawfully be
possessed by any person.
Any weapon, instrument, vehicle, container or other article
declared forfeited under the provisions of subsection (1),
shall be kept for a period of thirty days with effect from the
date of declaration of forfeiture or, if an application is
within that period received from any person for the
determination of any right referred to in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) of subsection (4) (a), until a final decision in respect
of any such application has been given.
(a) The court in question or, if the judge or judicial
officer concerned is not available, any judge or judicial
officer of the court in question, may at any time within
a period of three years with effect from the date of
declaration of forfeiture, upon the application of any
person, other than the accused, who claims that any right
referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph
is vested in him, inquire into and determine any such
right, and if the court finds that the weapon,
instrument, vehicle, container or other article in
question (i) is the property of any such person, the court shall
set aside the declaration of forfeiture and direct
that the weapon, instrument, vehicle, container or
other article, as the case may be, be returned to
such person, or, if the State has disposed of the
weapon, instrument, vehicle, container or other
article in question, direct that such person be
compensated by the State to the extent to which the
State has been enriched by such disposal;
(ii) was sold to the accused in pursuance of a contract
under which he becomes the owner of such weapon,
instrument, vehicle, container or other article, as
the case may be, upon the payment of a stipulated
price, whether by instalments or otherwise, and
under which the seller becomes entitled to the
return of such weapon, instrument, vehicle,
container or other article upon default of payment
of the stipulated price or any part thereof -
18
19
(b)
(c)
36.
(l)
(2)
1995
(aa) the
court shall direct that the weapon,
instrument, vehicle, container or other
article in question be sold by public auction
and that the said seller be paid out of the
proceeds of the sale an amount equal to the
value of his rights under the contract to the
weapon, instrument, vehicle, container or
other article, but not exceeding the proceeds
of the sale; or
(bb) if the State has disposed of the weapon,
instrument, vehicle, container or other
article in question, the court shall direct
that the said seller be likewise compensated.
If a determination by the court under paragraph (a) is
adverse to the applicant, he may appeal therefrom as if
it were a conviction by the court making the
determination, and such appeal may be heard either
separately or jointly with an appeal against the
conviction as a result whereof the declaration of
forfeiture was made, or against a sentence imposed as a
result of such conviction.
When determining any rights under this subsection, the
record of the criminal proceedings in which the
declaration of forfeiture was made, shall form part of
the relevant proceedings, and the court making the
determination may hear such additional evidence, whether
by affidavit or orally, as it may deem fit.
Disposal of article concerned in an offence committed outside

Republic. Where an article is seized in connection with which (a) an offence was committed or is on reasonable grounds
suspected to have been committed in a country outside the
Republic;
(b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that it will
afford evidence as to the commission in a country outside
the Republic of any offence or that it was used for the
purpose of or in connection with such commission of any
offence,
the magistrate within whose area of jurisdiction the article
was seized may, on application and if satisfied that such
offence is punishable in such country by death or by
imprisonment for a period of twelve months or more or by a
fine of five hundred rand or more, order such article to be
delivered to a member of a police force established in such
country who may thereupon remove it from the Republic.
Whenever the article so removed from the Republic is returned
to the magistrate, or whenever the magistrate refuses to order
that the article be delivered as aforesaid, the article shall
19
20
be returned to the person from whose possession it was

taken, unless the magistrate is authorized or required by law
to dispose of it otherwise.
CHAPTER 3
ASCERTAINMENT OF BODILY FEATURES OF ACCUSED
37.
(1)
Powers in respect of prints and bodily appearance of accused.Any police official may (a) take the finger-prints, palm-prints or foot-prints or may
cause any such prints to be taken (i)
of any person arrested upon any charge;
(ii)
of any such person released on bail or on
warning under section 72;
(iii)
of any person arrested in respect of any
matter referred to in paragraph (n), (o) or
(p) of section 40 (1);
(iv)
of any person upon whom a summons has been
served in respect of any offence referred to
in Schedule 1 or any offence with reference to
which
the
suspension,
cancellation
or
endorsement of any licence or permit or the
disqualification in respect of any licence or
permit is permissible or prescribed; or
(v)
of any person convicted by a court or deemed
under section 57 (6) to have been convicted in
respect of any offence which the Minister has
by notice in the Gazette declared to be an
offence for the purposes of this subparagraph;
(b) make a person referred to in paragraph (a) (i) or (ii)
available or cause such person to be made available for
identification in such condition, position or apparel as
the police official may determine;
(c) take such steps as he may deem necessary in order to
ascertain whether the body of any person referred to in
paragraph (a) (i) or (ii) has any mark, characteristic or
distinguishing feature or shows any condition or
appearance: Provided that no police official shall take
any blood sample of the person concerned nor shall a
police official make any examination of the body of the
person concerned where that person is a female and the
police official concerned is not a female.
(d) take a photograph or may cause a photograph to be taken
of a person referred to in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii).
Section 37(1)(d) added by section 2(a) of the Criminal Procedure
1995
20
21
Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985

(2)
(a)
Any medical officer of any prison or any district surgeon

or, if requested thereto by any police official, any
registered medical practitioner or registered nurse may
take such steps, including the taking of a blood sample,
as may be deemed necessary in order to ascertain whether
the body of any person referred to in paragraph (a) (i)
or (ii) of subsection (1) has any mark, characteristic or
distinguishing feature or shows any condition or
appearance.
(b) If any registered medical practitioner attached to any
hospital is on reasonable grounds of the opinion that the
contents of the blood of any person admitted to such
hospital for medical attention or treatment may be
relevant at any later criminal proceedings, such medical
practitioner may take a blood sample of such person or
cause such sample to be taken.
(3) Any court before which criminal proceedings are pending may(a) in any case in which a police official is not empowered
under subsection (1) to take finger-prints, palm-prints
or foot-prints or to take steps in order to ascertain
whether the body of any person has any mark,
characteristic or distinguishing feature or shows any
condition or appearance, order that such prints be taken
of any accused at such proceedings or that the steps,
including the taking of a blood sample, be taken which
such court may deem necessary in order to ascertain
whether the body of any accused at such proceedings has
any mark, characteristic or distinguishing feature or
shows any condition or appearance;
(b) order that the steps, including the taking of a blood sample,
be taken which such court may deem necessary in order to ascertain
the state of health of any accused at such proceedings. Section
(4)
Any court which has convicted an person of any offence or

which has concluded a preparatory examination against any
person on any charge, or any magistrate may order that the
finger-prints, palm-prints or foot-prints or a photograph of
the person concerned be taken; and
Section 37(4) substituted by section 2(b) of the Criminal Procedure

(5)
1995
Finger-prints, palm-prints or footprints, photographs and the

record of steps taken under this section, shall be destroyed
if the person concerned is found not guilty at his trial or if
21
22
his conviction is set aside by a superior court or if he is

discharged at a preparatory examination or if no criminal
proceedings with reference to which such prints or photographs
were taken or such record was made are instituted against the
person concerned in any court or if the prosecution declines
to prosecute such person.
Section 37(5) substituted by section 2(b) of the Criminal Procedure
CHAPTER 4
METHODS OF SECURING ATTENDANCE OF ACCUSED IN COURT
38. Methods of securing attendance of accused in court. The methods of securing the attendance of an accused in court for
the purposes of his trial shall be arrest, summons, written notice
and indictment in accordance with the relevant provisions of this
Act.
CHAPTER 5
ARREST
39.
(l)
(2)
(3)
40.
(l)
1995
Manner and effect of arrest. An arrest shall be effected with or without a warrant and,
unless the person to be arrested submits to custody, by
actually touching his body or, if the circumstances so
require, by forcibly confining his body.
The person effecting an arrest shall, at the time of effecting
the arrest or immediately after effecting the arrest, inform
the arrested person of the cause of the arrest or, in the case
of an arrest effected by virtue of a warrant, upon demand of
the person arrested hand him a copy of the warrant.
The effect of an arrest shall be that the person arrested
shall be in lawful custody and that he shall be detained in
custody until he is lawfully discharged or released from
custody.
Arrest by peace officer without warrant. A peace officer may without warrant arrest any person (a) who commits or attempts to commit any offence in his
presence;
(b) whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an
offence referred to in Schedule 1, other than the offence
of escaping from lawful custody;
22
23
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(n)
(o)
(p)
1995
who has escaped or who attempts to escape from lawful

custody;
who has in his possession any implement of housebreaking
and who is unable to account for such possession to the
satisfaction of the peace officer;
who is found in possession of anything which the peace
officer reasonably suspects to be stolen property or
property dishonestly obtained, and whom the peace officer
reasonably suspects of having committed an offence with
respect to such thing;
who is found at any place by night in circumstances which
afford reasonable grounds for believing that such person
has committed or is about to commit an offence;
who is reasonably suspected of being or having been in
unlawful possession of stock or produce as defined in any
law relating to the theft of stock or produce;
who is reasonably suspected of committing or of having
committed an offence under any law governing the making,
supply, possession or conveyance of intoxicating liquor
or of dependence-producing drugs or the possession or
disposal of arms or ammunition;
who is found in any gambling house or at any gambling
table in contravention of any law relating to the
prevention or suppression of gambling or games of chance;
who wilfully obstructs him in the execution of his duty;
who has been concerned in or against whom a reasonable
complaint has been made or credible information has been
received or a reasonable suspicion exists that he has
been concerned in any act committed outside the Republic
which, if committed in the Republic, would have been
punishable as an offence, and for which he is, under any
law relating to extradition or fugitive offenders, liable
to be arrested or detained in custody in the Republic;
who is reasonably suspected of being a prohibited
immigrant in the Republic in contravention of any law
regulating entry into or residence in the Republic;
who is reasonably suspected of being a deserter from the
South African Defence Force;
who is reasonably suspected of having failed to observe
any condition imposed in postponing the passing of
sentence or in suspending the operation of any sentence
under this Act;
who is reasonably suspected of having failed to pay any
fine or part thereof on the date fixed by order of court
under this Act;
who fails to surrender himself in order that he may
undergo periodical imprisonment when and where he is
required to do so under an order of court or any law
relating to prisons.
23
24
(2)
If a person may be arrested under any law without warrant

and subject to conditions or the existence of circumstances
set out in that law, any peace officer may without warrant
arrest
such
person
subject
to
such
conditions
or
circumstances.
41.
Name and address of certain persons and power of arrest by

peace officer without warrant. A peace officer may call upon any person (a) whom he has power to arrest;
(b) who is reasonably suspected of having committed or of
having attempted to commit an offence;
(c) who, in the opinion of the peace officer, may be able to
give evidence in regard to the commission or suspected
commission of any offence,
to furnish such peace officer with his full name and address,
and if such person fails to furnish his full name and address,
the peace officer may forthwith and without warrant arrest
him, or, if such person furnishes to the peace officer a name
or address which the peace officer reasonably suspects to be
false, the peace officer may arrest him without warrant and
detain him for a period not exceeding twelve hours until such
name or address has been verified.
Any person who, when called upon under the provisions of
subsection (1) to furnish his name and address, fails to do so
or furnishes a false or incorrect name and address, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not
exceeding one hundred rand or to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding three months.
(l)
(2)
42.
(l)
(2)
(3)
1995
Arrest by private person without warrant. Any private person may without warrant arrest any person(a) who commits or attempts to commit in his presence or whom
he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence
referred to in Schedule 1;
(b) whom he reasonably believes to have committed any offence
and to be escaping from and to be freshly pursued by a
person whom such private person reasonably believes to
have authority to arrest that person for that offence;
(c) whom he is by any law authorized to arrest without
warrant in respect of any offence specified in that law;
(d) whom he sees engaged in an affray.
Any private person who may without warrant arrest any person
under subsection (1) (a) may forthwith pursue that person, and
any other private person to whom the purpose of the pursuit
has been made known, may join and assist therein.
The owner, lawful occupier or person in charge of property on
or in respect of which any person is found committing any
24
25
offence, and any person authorized

thereto
by
such
owner, occupier or person in charge, may without warrant
arrest the person so found.
Section 42(3) substituted by section 3 of the Criminal Procedure
43.
(l)
(2)
(3)
Warrant of arrest may be issued by magistrate or justice. Any magistrate or justice may issue a warrant for the arrest
of any person upon the written application of an attorneygeneral, a public prosecutor or a commissioned officer of
police (a) which sets out the offence alleged to have been
committed;
(b) which alleges that such offence was committed within the
area of jurisdiction of such magistrate or, in the case
of a justice, within the area of jurisdiction of the
magistrate within whose district or area application is
made to the justice for such warrant, or where such
offence was not committed within such area of
jurisdiction, which alleges that the person in respect of
whom the application is made, is known or is on
reasonable grounds suspected to be within such area of
jurisdiction; and
(c) which states that from information taken upon oath there
is a reasonable suspicion that the person in respect of
whom the warrant is applied for has committed the alleged
offence.
A warrant of arrest issued under this section shall direct
that the person described in the warrant shall be arrested by
a peace officer in respect of the offence set out in the
warrant and that he be brought before a lower court in
accordance with the provisions of section 50.
A warrant of arrest may be issued on any day and shall remain
in force until it is cancelled by the person who issued it or,
if such person is not available, by any person with like
authority, or until it is executed.
44. Execution of warrants.A warrant of arrest issued under any provision of this Act may be
executed by a peace officer, and the peace officer executing such
warrant shall do so in accordance with the terms thereof.
45.
(1)
1995
Arrest on telegraphic authority.A telegraphic or similar written or printed communication from

any magistrate, justice or peace officer stating that a
warrant has been issued for the arrest of any person, shall be
sufficient authority to any peace officer for the arrest and
detention of that person.
25
26
(2)
The provisions of section 50 shall apply with reference to

an arrest effected in accordance with subsection (I).
46.
(1)
Non-liability for wrongful arrest.Any person who is authorized to arrest another under a warrant
of arrest or a communication under section 45 and who in the
reasonable belief that he is arresting such person arrests
another, shall be exempt from liability in respect of such
wrongful arrest.
Any person who is called upon to assist in making an arrest as
contemplated in subsection (1) or who is required to detain a
person so arrested, and who reasonably believes that the said
person is the person whose arrest has been authorized by the
warrant of arrest or the communication, shall likewise be
exempt from liability in respect of such assistance or
detention.
(2)
47.
(l)
(2)
Private persons to assist in arrest when called upon.Every male inhabitant of the Republic of an age not below
sixteen and not exceeding sixty years shall, when called upon
by any police official to do so, assist such police official(a) in arresting any person;
(b) in detaining any person so arrested.
Any person who, without sufficient cause, fails to assist a
police official as provided in subsection (1), shall be guilty
of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
one hundred rand or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
three months.
48. Breaking open premises for purposes of arrest.

Any person who may lawfully arrest another in respect of any
offence and who knows or reasonably suspects such other person to
be on any premises, may, if he first audibly demands entry into
such premises and notifies the purpose for which he seeks entry and
fails to gain entry, break open, enter and search such premises for
the purpose of effecting the arrest.
49.
(l)
1995
Use of force in effecting arrest.If any person authorized under this Act to arrest or to assist
in arresting another, attempts to arrest such person and such
person(a) resists the attempt and cannot be arrested without the
use of force; or
(b) flees when it is clear that an attempt to arrest him is
being made, or resists such attempt and flees,
the person so authorized may, in order to effect the arrest,
use such force as may in the circumstances be reasonably
necessary to overcome the resistance or to prevent the person
concerned from fleeing.
26
27
(2)
Where the person concerned is to be arrested for an offence

referred to in Schedule 1 or is to be arrested on the ground
that he is reasonably suspected of having committed such an
offence, and the person authorized under this Act to arrest or
to assist in arresting him cannot arrest him or prevent him
from fleeing by other means than by killing him, the killing
shall be deemed to be justifiable homicide.
50.
(l)
Procedure after arrest.A person arrested with or without warrant shall as soon as
possible be brought to a police station or, in the case of an
arrest by warrant, to any other place which is expressly
mentioned in the warrant, and, if not released by reason that
no charge is to be brought against him, be detained for a
period not exceeding forty-eight hours unless he is brought
before a lower court and his further detention, for the
purposes of his trial, is ordered by the court upon a charge
of any offence or, if such person was not arrested in respect
of an offence, for the purpose of adjudication upon the cause
for his arrest: Provided that if the period of forty-eight
hours expires(a) on a day which is not a court day or on any court day
after four o'clock in the afternoon, the said period
shall be deemed to expire at four o'clock in the
afternoon of the court day next succeeding;
(b) on any court day before four o'clock in the afternoon,
the said period shall be deemed to expire at four o'clock
in the afternoon of such court day;
(c) at a time when the arrested person is outside the area of
jurisdiction of the lower court to which he is being
brought for the purposes of further detention and he is
at such time in transit from a police station or other
place of detention to such court, the said period shall
be deemed to expire at four o'clock in the afternoon of
the court day next succeeding the day on which such
arrested person is brought within the area of
jurisdiction of such court.
A court day for the purposes of this section means a day on
which the court in question normally sits as a court.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as modifying the
provisions of this Act or any other law whereby a person under
detention may be released on bail or on warning or on a
written notice to appear in court.
(2)
(3)
51.
(l)
1995
Escaping and aiding escaping before incarceration, and

penalties therefore.Any person who escapes or attempts to escape from custody
after he has been lawfully arrested and before he has been
27
28
(2)
(3)
lodged
in
any
prison, police-cell or lock-up, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to the penalties
prescribed in section 48 of the Prisons Act, 1959 (Act 8 of
1959).
Any person who rescues or attempts to rescue from custody any
person after he has been lawfully arrested and before he has
been lodged in any prison, police-cell or lock-up, or who aids
such person to escape or to attempt to escape from such
custody, or who harbours or conceals or assists in harbouring
or concealing any person who escapes from custody after he has
been lawfully arrested and before he has been lodged in any
prison, police-cell or lock-up, shall be guilty of an offence
and liable on conviction to the penalties prescribed in
section 43 of the said Prisons Act, 1959.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law contained,
a lower court shall have jurisdiction to try any offence under
this section and to impose any penalty prescribed in respect
thereof.
52. Saving of other powers of arrest.No provision of this Chapter relating to arrest shall be construed
as removing or diminishing any authority expressly conferred by any
other law to arrest, detain or put any restraint upon any person.
53. Saving of civil law rights and liability.Subject to the provisions of sections 46 and 331, no provision of
this Chapter relating to arrest shall be construed as removing or
diminishing any civil right or liability of any person in respect
of a wrongful or malicious arrest.
CHAPTER 6
SUMMONS
54. Summons as method of securing attendance of accused in
magistrate's court.(l) Where the prosecution intends prosecuting an accused in
respect of any offence and the accused is not in custody in
respect of that offence and no warrant has been or is to be
issued for the arrest of the accused for that offence, the
prosecutor may secure the attendance of the accused for a
summary trial in a lower court having jurisdiction by drawing
up the relevant charge and handing such charge, together with
information relating to the name and, where known and where
applicable, the residential address and occupation or status
of the accused, to the clerk of the court who shall(a) issue a summons containing the charge and the information
handed to him by the prosecutor, and specifying the
1995
28
29
(2)
(3)
55.
(l)
(2)
1995
place, date and time for

the
appearance
of
the
accused in court on such charge; and
(b) deliver such summons, together with so many copies
thereof as there are accused to be summoned, to a person
empowered to serve a summons in criminal proceedings.
(a) Except where otherwise expressly provided by any law, the
summons shall be served by a person referred to in
subsection (1) (b) by delivering it to the person named
therein or, if he cannot be found, by delivering it at
his residence or place of employment or business to a
person apparently over the age of sixteen years and
apparently residing or employed there.
(b) A return by the person who served the summons that the
service thereof has been effected in terms of paragraph
(a), may, upon the failure of the person concerned to
attend the relevant proceedings, be handed in at such
proceedings and shall be prima facie proof of such
service.
A summons under this section shall be served on an accused so
that he is in possession thereof at least fourteen days
(Sundays and public holidays excluded) before the date
appointed for the trial.
Failure of accused to appear on summons.An accused who is summoned under section 54 to appear at
criminal proceedings and who fails to appear at the place and
on the date and at the time specified in the summons or who
fails to remain in attendance at such proceedings, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to the punishment prescribed
under subsection (2).
The court may, if satisfied from the return of service
referred to in paragraph (b) of section 54 (2) that the
summons was served on the accused in terms of paragraph (a) of
that section and that the accused has failed to appear at the
place and on the date and at the time specified in the
summons, or if satisfied that the accused has failed to remain
in attendance at the proceedings in question, issue a warrant
for his arrest and, when he is brought before the court, in a
summary manner enquire into his failure so to appear or so to
remain in attendance and unless the accused satisfies the
court that his failure was not due to any fault on his part,
convict him of the offence referred to in subsection (1) and
sentence him to a fine not exceeding one hundred rand or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months: Provided
that where a warrant is issued for the arrest of an accused
who has failed to appear in answer to the summons, the person
executing the warrant(a) may, where it appears to him that the accused received
the summons in question and that the accused will appear
29
30
in court in accordance with a warning under section 72;

or
(b) shall, where it appears to him that the accused did not
receive the summons in question or that the accused has
paid an admission of guilt fine in terms of section 57 or
that there are other grounds on which it appears that the
failure of the accused to appear on the summons was not
due to any fault on the part of the accused, for which
purpose he may require the accused to furnish an
affidavit or affirmation,
release the accused on warning under section 72 in respect of
the offence of failing to appear in answer to the summons,
whereupon the provisions of that section shall mutatis mutandis
apply with reference to the said offence.
(3) (a) If, in any case in which a warrant of arrest is issued,
it was permissible for the accused in terms of section 57
to admit his guilt in respect of the summons on which he
failed to appear and to pay a fine in respect thereof
without appearing in court, and the accused is arrested
under such warrant in the area of jurisdiction of a
magistrate's court other than the magistrate's court
which issued the warrant of arrest such other
magistrate's court may, notwithstanding any provision f
this Act or any other law to the contrary, and if
satisfied that the accused has, since the date on which
he failed to appear on the summons in question, admitted
his guilt in respect of that summons and has paid a fine
in respect thereof without appearing in court, in a
summary manner enquire into his failure to appear on such
summons and, unless the accuse satisfies the court that
his failure was not due to any fault on his part, convict
him of the offence referred to in subsection (1) and
sentence him to a fine not exceeding one hundred r d or
to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.
Paragraph (a) of Section 55(3) substituted by section 4 of the
Criminal Procedure Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985
(b)
In proceedings under paragraph (a) before such other

magistrate's court, it shall be presumed, upon production
in such court of the relevant warrant of arrest, that the
accused failed to appear on the summons in question,
unless the contrary is proved.
CHAPTER 7
WRITTEN NOTICE TO APPEAR IN COURT
1995
30
31
56. Written notice as method of securing attendance of accused in

magistrate's court.(1) If an accused is alleged to have committed an offence and a
peace officer on reasonable grounds believes that a
magistrate's court, on convicting such accused of that
offence, will not impose a fine exceeding R300, such peace
officer may, whether or not the accused is in custody, hand to
the accused a written notice which shall(a) specify the name, the residential address and the
occupation or status of the accused;
(b) call upon the accused to appear at a place and on a date
and at a time specified in the written notice to answer a
charge of having committed the offence in question;
(c) contain an endorsement in terms of section 57 that the
accused may admit his guilt in respect of the offence in
question and that he may pay a stipulated fine in respect
thereof without appearing in court; and
(d) contain a certificate under the hand of the peace officer
that he has handed the original of such written notice to
the accused and that he has explained to the accused the
import thereof.
Words preceding paragraph (a) substituted by section 5 of the
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
If the accused is in custody, the effect of a written notice

handed to him under subsection (1) shall be that he be
released forthwith from custody.
The peace officer shall forthwith forward a duplicate original
of the written notice to the clerk of the court which has
jurisdiction.
The mere production to the court of the duplicate original
referred to in subsection (3) shall be prima facie proof of
the issue of the original thereof to the accused and that such
original was handed to the accused.
The provisions of section 55 shall mutatis mutandis apply with
reference to a written notice handed to an accused under
subsection (1).
CHAPTER 8
ADMISSION OF GUILT FINE
57. Admission of guilt and payment of fine without appearance in
court.(l) Where(a) a summons is issued against an accused under section 54
1995
31
32
(in
this
section referred to as the summons) and
the public prosecutor or the clerk of the
court
concerned on reasonable grounds believes that a
magistrate's court, on convicting the accused of the
offence in question, will not impose a fine exceeding
R300, and such public prosecutor or clerk of the court
endorses the summons to the effect that the accused may
admit his guilt in respect of the offence in question and
that he may pay a fine stipulated on the summons in
respect of such offence without appearing in court; and
Paragraph (a) of Section 57(1) substituted by section 6(a) of the
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
1995
(b) a written notice under section 56 (in this section

referred to as the written notice) is handed to the
accused and the endorsement in terms of paragraph (c) of
subsection (1) of that section purports to have been made
by a peace officer,
the accused may, without appearing in court, admit his guilt
in respect of the offence in question by paying the fine
stipulated (in this section referred to as the admission of
guilt fine) either to the clerk of the magistrate's court
which has jurisdiction or at any police station within the
area of jurisdiction of that court or, if the summons or
written notice in question is endorsed to the effect that the
fine may be paid at a specified local authority, at such
local authority.
(a) The summons or the written notice may stipulate that the
admission of guilt fine shall be paid before a date
specified in the summons or written notice, as the case
may be.
(b) An admission of guilt fine may be accepted by the clerk
of the court concerned notwithstanding that the date
referred to in paragraph (a) or the date on which the
accused should have appeared in court has expired.
An admission of guilt fine shall not be accepted under
subsection (1) unless the accused surrenders the summons or
the written notice, as the case may be, at the time of
payment of the fine.
No provision of this section shall be construed as preventing
a public prosecutor attached to the court concerned from
reducing an admission of guilt fine on good cause shown.
(a) An admission of guilt fine stipulated in respect of a
summons or a written notice shall be in accordance with a
determination which the magistrate of the district or
area in question may from time to time make in respect of
any offence or, if the magistrate has not made such a
determination, in accordance with an amount determined in
32
33
respect
of
any particular
summons
or
any
particular written notice by either a public prosecutor
attached to the court of such magistrate or a police
official of or above the rank of noncommissioned officer
attached to a police station within the magisterial
district or area in question or, in the absence of such a
police official at any such police station, by the senior
police official then in charge at such police station.
(b) An admission of guilt fine determined under paragraph (a)
shall not exceed the maximum of the fine prescribed in
respect of the offence in question or the amount of R300,
whichever is the lesser.
Paragraph (b) of Section 55(5) substituted by section 6(b) of the
(6)
(7)
1995
An admission of guilt fine paid at a police station or a

local authority in terms of subsection (1) and the summons
or, as the case may be, the written notice surrendered under
subsection (3), shall, as soon as is expedient, be forwarded
to the clerk of the magistrate's court which has
jurisdiction, and such clerk of the court shall thereafter,
as soon as is expedient, enter the essential particulars of
such summons or, as the case may be, such written notice and
of any summons or written notice surrendered to the clerk of
the court under subsection (3), in the criminal record book
for admissions of guilt, whereupon the accused concerned
shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (7), be deemed
to have been convicted and sentenced by the court in respect
of the offence in question.
The judicial officer presiding at the court in question shall
examine the documents and if it appears to him that a
conviction or sentence under subsection (6) is not in
accordance with justice or that any such sentence, except as
provided in subsection (4), is not in accordance with a
determination made by the magistrate under subsection (5) or,
where the determination under that subsection has not been
made by the magistrate, that the sentence is not adequate,
such judicial officer may set aside the conviction and
sentence and direct that the accused be prosecuted in the
ordinary course, whereupon the accused may be summoned to
answer such charge as the public prosecutor may deem fit to
prefer: Provided that where the admission of guilt fine which
has been paid exceeds the amount determined by the magistrate
under subsection (5), the said judicial officer may, in lieu
of setting aside the conviction and sentence in question,
direct that the amount by which the said admission of guilt
fine exceeds the said determination be refunded to the
33
34
accused concerned.
CHAPTER 9
BAIL
58. Effect of bail.The effect of bail granted in terms of the succeeding provisions is
that an accused who is in custody shall be released from custody
upon payment of or the furnishing of a guarantee to pay, the sum of
money determined for his bail, and that he shall appear at the
place and on the date and at the time appointed for his trial or to
which the proceedings relating to the offence in respect of which
the accused is released on bail are adjourned, and that the release
shall, unless sooner terminated under the said provisions, endure
until a verdict is given by a court in respect of the charge to
which the offence in question relates, or, where sentence is not
imposed forthwith after verdict and the court in question extends
bail, until sentence is imposed.
59.
(1)
(2)
Bail before first appearance of accused in lower court.(a) An accused who is in custody in respect of any offence,
other than an offence referred to in Part II, Part III or
Part IV of Schedule 2 may, before his or her first
appearance in a lower court, be released on bail in
respect of such offence by any police official of or
above the rank of non-commissioned officer, if the
accused deposits at a police station the sum of money
determined by such police official.
Section amended by Section 1 of Act 5 of 1991
(b) The police official referred to in paragraph (a) shall,
at the time of releasing the accused on bail, complete
and hand to the accused a recognizance on which a receipt
shall be given for the sum of money deposited as bail and
on which the offence in respect of which the bail is
granted and the place, date and time of the trial of the
accused are entered.
(c) The said police official shall forthwith forward a
duplicate original of such recognizance to the clerk of
the court which has jurisdiction.
Bail granted under this section shall, if it is of force at
the time of the first appearance of the accused in a lower
court, but subject to the provisions of section 62, remain in
force after such appearance in the same manner as bail
granted by the court under section 60 at the time of such
first appearance.
60.
Bail after first appearance of accused in lower court.-
1995
34
35
(l)
An
accused
who
is
in custody
in
respect
of
any
offence may at his or her first appearance in a lower court
or at any stage after such appearance, apply to such court
or, if the proceedings against the accused are pending in the
High Court, to that court, to be released on bail in respect
of such offence, and any such court may release the accused
on bail in respect of such offence on condition that the
accused deposits with the clerk of the court or, as the case
may be, the registrar of the court, or with a member of the
prisons service at the prison where the accused is in
custody, or, in the case of a periodical court, if no clerk
of the court is available, with a police official at the
place where the accused is in custody, the sum of money
determined by the court in question.
Section 60(1), as amended section 7 of the Criminal Procedure
Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985 and amended by Section 2 of Act 5
of 1991
(2) The court may, on good cause shown, permit an accused to
furnish a guarantee, with or without sureties, that he will
pay and forfeit to the State the sum of money determined
under subsection (I), or increased or reduced under section
63 (1), in circumstances under which such sum, if it had been
deposited, would be forfeited to the State.
Rights of complainant in bail application where accused is
charged with rape
60A (1) A complainant of rape or a domestic violence offence
shall have the right (a) to attend any proceedings where the question is
considered whether an accused who is in custody on a
charge of rape or a domestic violence offence should be
released on bail or, if bail has been granted to the
accused, whether any further conditions of bail should
be imposed under section 62 or whether any such
conditions of bail should be amended or supplemented
under section 63; and
(b) to request the prosecutor in proceedings referred to in
paragraph (a) to present any information or evidence to
the court that might be relevant to any question under
consideration by the court in such proceedings.
(2) If an accused is in custody on a charge of rape or a
domestic violence offence, the person in charge of the
police station or any other place where the accused is
detained in terms of section 50 (1), or any other
person designated by such first-mentioned person, shall
as soon as possible inform the complainant concerned of
(a) the place, date and time of the first appearance of the
accused in court; and
1995
35
36
(b) the rights of the

complainant under subsection
(l).
(3) If an accused who is in custody on a charge of rape or
a domestic violence offence intends to apply to the
court for bail on a date or at a time of which the
complainant has not been otherwise informed in terms of
this section, the accused or his or her legal
representative shall request the person referred to in
subsection (2) to inform the complainant accordingly,
whereupon such person shall so inform the complainant.
(4) The person who informs, or who is required to inform,
the complainant in terms of subsection (2) or (3), as
the case may be, shall prepare an affidavit stating (a) whether the provisions of subsection (2) or (3) as the
case may be, have been duly complied with and, if they
have not been so complied with, the reasons for not
complying with any such provision;
(b) the manner in which the complainant has been so
informed; and
(c) the date and time when the complainant has been so
informed.
(5) An affidavit prepared in terms of subsection (4) shall
be handed to the judge or judicial officer presiding at
the proceedings at which bail is considered, and such
affidavit shall form part of the record of such
proceedings.
(6) If a complainant is present at a proceedings at which
bail is considered in respect of an accused who is in
custody on a charge of rape or a domestic violence
offence, and such proceedings are postponed, the court
shall inform the complainant of the date and time to
which such proceedings have been
postponed and of the complainants rights under
subsection (1).
(7) If a complainant is not present at proceedings referred
to in subsection (6), the court shall enquire into the
question whether the complainant has had knowledge of
such proceedings, and (a) shall, if it is satisfied that it is likely that the
complainant has had knowledge of such proceedings,
direct that the matter be dealt with in the absence of
the complainant; or
(b) shall, if it is not so satisfied, postpone such
proceedings in order to obtain the presence of the
complainant: Provided that, if it is in' the interests
of justice (with due regard to the interests of the
complainant) that the matter be dealt with forthwith,
the matter may be dealt with in the absence of the
complainant.
1995
36
37
(8)
(a)
(b)
(9)
If a complainant is
not present, as contemplated in
subsection (7), the prosecutor in such proceedings
shall inform the complainant where bail has been granted to the accused, of the
granting of bail and the conditions of bail imposed;
where such proceedings have been postponed, of the date
and time to which such proceedings have been postponed
and of the complainants rights under subsection (1).
The provisions of subsections (4) and (5) shall, with
the necessary changes, apply in respect of a
notification given in terms of subsection (8)(b).
Section 60A inserted by Section 12 of the Combating of Rape Act 8

of 2000 and amended by Section 1(a) of the Combating of Domestic
Violence Act 4 of 2003
61. Bail in respect of certain offences.
If an accused who is in custody in respect of any offence referred
to in Part IV of Schedule 2 applies under section 60 to be released
on bail in respect of such offence, the court may, notwithstanding
that it is satisfied that it is unlikely that the accused, if
released on bail, will abscond or interfere with any witness for
the prosecution or with the police investigation, refuse the
application for bail if in the opinion of the court, after such
inquiry as it deems necessary, it is in the interest of the public
or the administration of justice that the accused be retained in
custody pending his or her trial.
Section 61 substituted by Section 3 of Act 5 of 1991
62. Court may add further conditions of bail.(1) Any court before which a charge is pending in respect of which
bail has been granted, may at any stage, whether the bail was
granted by that court or any other court, on application by the
prosecutor, add any further condition of bail(a) with regard to the reporting in person by the accused at any
specified time and place to any specified person or
authority;
(b) with regard to any place to which the accused is forbidden to
go;
(c) with regard to the prohibition of or control over
communication by the accused with witnesses for the
prosecution;
(d) with regard to the place at which any document may be served
on him under this Act;
(e) which, in the opinion of the court, will ensure that the
proper administration of justice is not placed in jeopardy by
the release of the accused.
1995
37
38
(2)
If an accused who is in
custody on a charge of
rape is released on bail, the court shall,
notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), add
such further conditions of bail as will, in the opinion
of the court, ensure that the accused does not make
contact with the complainant concerned.
Section 62(2) inserted by Section 13 of the Combating of Rape Act 8

of 2000
(3)
(a)
(b)
(c)
If an accused who is in custody on a charge of a

domestic violence offence is released on bail, the
court shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (1), impose the following further conditions
of bail, unless it finds special circumstances which
would make any or all of these conditions
inappropriate, which reasons must be entered in the
record of the proceedings an order prohibiting any direct or indirect contact
with the victim during the pendency of the proceedings;
an order prohibiting the possession of any firearm or
other specified weapon; and
where the accused is legally liable to maintain the
complainant or any child or other dependant of the
complainant, an order requiring that the accused
support the complainant and child or other dependant at
the same or greater level as prior to the arrest..
Section 62(3) as inserted by Section 1(b) of the Combating of

Domestic Violence Act 4 of 2003
63.
(l)
(2)
(3)
1995
Amendment of conditions of bail.Any court before which a charge is pending in respect of

which bail has been granted may, upon the application of the
prosecutor or the accused, increase or reduce the amount of
bail determined under section 59 or 60 or amend or supplement
any condition imposed under section 62, whether imposed by
that court or any other court, and may, where the application
is made by the prosecutor and the accused is not present when
the application is made, issue a warrant for the arrest of
the accused and, when the accused is present in court,
determine the application.
If the court referred to in subsection (1) is a superior
court, an application under that subsection may be made to
any judge of that court if the court is not sitting at the
time of the application.
The provisions of this section shall not be construed as
38
39
preventing
any
court
or
magistrate, as the case may
be, to cancel the bail and commit an accused to prison where the
accused was released on bail in respect of any offence
contemplated in section 61, if, notwithstanding that such
accused is not about to evade justice or to abscond, it is in
the opinion of such court or such magistrate, as the case may
be, in the interest of the public or the administration of
justice that the accused be placed in custody.
Subsection (3) inserted by Section 4 of Act 5 of 1991.
64.
Proceedings with regard to bail and conditions to be recorded

in full.The court which considers an application for bail under section 60
or which imposes any further condition under section 62 or which,
under section 63, amends the amount of bail or amends or
supplements any condition, shall record the relevant proceedings in
full, including the conditions imposed and any amendment or
supplementation thereof, or shall cause such proceedings to be
recorded in full, and where such court is a magistrate's court or a
regional court, any document, purporting to be an extract from the
record of proceedings of that court and purporting to be certified
as correct by the clerk of the court, and which sets out the
conditions of bail and any amendment or supplementation thereof,
shall, on its mere production in any court in which the relevant
charge is pending, be prima facie proof of such conditions or any
amendment or supplementation thereof.
65.
(1)
(2)
1995
Appeal to superior court with regard to bail.(a) An accused who considers himself aggrieved by the refusal
by a lower court to admit him to bail or by the
imposition by such court of a condition of bail,
including a condition relating to the amount of bail
money and including an amendment or supplementation of a
condition of bail, may appeal against such refusal or the
imposition of such condition to the superior court having
jurisdiction or to any judge of that court if the court
is not then sitting.
(b) The appeal may be heard by a single judge.
(c) A local division of the Supreme Court shall have
jurisdiction to hear an appeal under paragraph (a) if the
area of jurisdiction of the lower court in question or
any part thereof falls within the area of jurisdiction of
such local division.
An appeal shall not lie in respect of new facts which arise
or are discovered after the decision against which the appeal
is brought, unless such new facts are first placed before the
magistrate or regional magistrate against whose decision the
appeal is brought and such magistrate or regional magistrate
39
40
(3)
(4)
66.
(l)
(2)
(3)
(4)
67.
(l)
1995
gives a decision against the accused on such new facts.

The accused shall serve a copy of the notice of appeal on the
attorney-general and on the magistrate or, as the case may
be, the regional magistrate, and the magistrate or regional
magistrate shall forthwith furnish the reasons for his
decision to the court or judge, as the case may be.
The court or judge hearing the appeal shall not set aside the
decision against which the appeal is brought, unless such
court or judge is satisfied that the decision was wrong, in
which event the court or judge shall give the decision which
in its or his opinion the lower court should have given.
Failure by accused to observe condition of bail.If an accused is released on bail subject to any condition
imposed under section 62, including any amendment or
supplementation under section 63 of a condition of bail, and
the prosecutor applies to the court before which the charge
with regard to which the accused has been released on bail is
pending, to lead evidence to prove that the accused has
failed to comply with such condition, the court shall, if the
accused is present and denies that he failed to comply with
such condition or that his failure to comply with such
condition was due to fault on his part, proceed to hear such
evidence as the prosecutor and the accused may place before
it.
If the accused is not present when the prosecutor applies to
the court under subsection (1), the court may issue a warrant
for the arrest of the accused, and shall, when the accused
appears before the court and denies that he failed to comply
with the condition in question or that his failure to comply
with such condition was due to fault on his part, proceed to
hear such evidence as the prosecutor and the accused may
place before it.
If the accused admits that he failed to comply with the
condition in question or if the court finds that he failed to
comply with such condition, the court may, if it finds that
the failure by the accused was due to fault on his part,
cancel the bail and declare the bail money forfeited to the
State.
The proceedings and the evidence under this section shall be
recorded.
Failure of accused on bail to appear.If an accused who is released on bail(a) fails to appear at the place and on the date and at the
time(i) appointed for his trial; or
(ii) to which the proceedings relating to the offence in
respect of which the accused is released on
40
41
(2)
(3)
68.
(1)
(2)
1995
bail
are adjourned; or
(b) fails to remain in attendance at such trial or at such
proceedings, the court before which the matter is pending
shall declare the bail provisionally cancelled and the
bail money provisionally forfeited to the State, and
issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused.
(a) If the accused appears before court within fourteen days
of the issue under subsection (1) of the warrant of
arrest, the court shall confirm the provisional
cancellation of the bail and the provisional forfeiture
of the bail money, unless the accused satisfies the court
that his failure under subsection (1) to appear or to
remain in attendance was not due to fault on his part.
(b) If the accused satisfies the court that his failure was
not due to fault on his part, the provisional
of the bail money shall lapse.
(c) If the accused does not appear before court within
fourteen days of the issue under subsection (1) of the
warrant of arrest or within such extended period as the
court may on good cause determine, the provisional
of the bail money shall become final.
The court may receive such evidence as it may consider
necessary to satisfy itself that the accused has under
subsection (1) failed to appear or failed to remain in
attendance, and such evidence shall be recorded.
Cancellation of bail where accused about to abscond.Any court before which a charge is pending in respect of
which the accused has been released on bail may, upon
information on oath that the accused is about to evade
justice or is about to abscond in order to evade justice,
issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused and make such
order as to it may seem proper, including an order that the
bail be cancelled and that the accused be committed to prison
until the conclusion of the relevant criminal proceedings.
Any magistrate may, in circumstances in which it is not
practicable to obtain a warrant of arrest under subsection
(1), upon the application of any peace officer and upon a
written statement on oath by such officer that he has reason
to believe that an accused who has been released on bail is
about to evade justice or is about to abscond in order to
evade justice, issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused,
and may, if satisfied that the ends of justice may be
defeated if the accused is not placed in custody, cancel the
bail and commit the accused to prison, which committal shall
remain of force until the conclusion of the relevant criminal
proceedings unless the court before which the proceedings are
41
42
pending sooner reinstates the bail.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed as
preventing any court or magistrate, as the case may be, to
cancel the bail and commit an accused to prison where the
accused was released on bail in respect of any offence
contemplated in section 61, if, notwithstanding that such
accused is not to evade justice or to abscond, it is in the
opinion of such court or such magistrate, as the case may be,
in the interest of the public or the administration of
justice that the accused be placed in custody.
Section 68(3) inserted by Section 4 of The Criminal Procedure
Amendment Act No 5 of 1991.
68A. Cancellation of bail at request of accused.
Any court before which a charge is pending in respect of which the
accused has been released on bail may, upon application by the
accused, cancel the bail and refund the bail money if the accused
is in custody on any other charge or is serving a sentence.
Section 68A inserted by Criminal Procedure Matters Act 31 of 1985
69.
(l)
(2)
(3)
Payment of bail money by third person.No provision of section 59 or 60 shall prevent the payment by
any person, other than the accused, of bail money for the
benefit of the accused.
Bail money, whether deposited by an accused or any other
person for the benefit of the accused, shall, notwithstanding
that such bail money or any part thereof may have been ceded
to any person, be refunded only to the accused or the
depositor, as the case may be.
No person shall be allowed to deposit for the benefit of an
accused any bail money in terms of this section if the
official concerned has reason to believe that such person, at
any time before or after depositing such bail money, has been
indemnified or will be indemnified by any person in any manner
against loss of such bail money or that he has received or
will receive any financial benefit in connection with the
deposit of such bail money.
70. Remission of bail money.The Minister or any officer acting under his authority may, in his
discretion, remit the whole or any part of any bail money forfeited
under section 66 or 67.
71.
Juvenile may be placed in place of safety in lieu of release

on bail or detention in custody.If an accused under the age of eighteen years is in custody in
respect of any offence, and a police official or a court may in
respect of such offence release the accused on bail under section
59 or 60, as the case may be, such police official or court may,
1995
42
43
instead of releasing the accused on bail or detaining him in

custody, place the accused in a place of safety as defined in
section 1 of the Children's Act, 1960 (Act 33 of 1960), pending his
appearance or further appearance before a court in respect of the
offence in question or until he is otherwise dealt with in
accordance with law.
CHAPTER 10
RELEASE ON WARNING
72.
(l)
Accused may be released on warning in lieu of ball.

If an accused is in custody in respect of any offence and a
police official or a court may in respect of such offence
release the accused on bail under section 59 or 60, as the
case may be, such police official or such court, as the case
may be, may, in lieu of bail and if the offence is not, in
the case of such police official, an offence referred to in
Part II, Part III or Part IV of Schedule 2-
Proviso to paragraph (a) amended by section 5 of Act 5 of 1991
(2)
(3)
1995
(a) release the accused from custody and warn him to appear
before a specified court at a specified time on a
specified date in connection with such offence or, as the
case may be, to remain in attendance at the proceedings
relating to the offence in question;
(b) in the case of an accused under the age of eighteen years
who is released under paragraph (a), place the accused in
the care of the person in whose custody he is, and warn
such person to bring the accused or cause the accused to
be brought before a specified court at a specified time
on a specified date, and to have the accused remain in
attendance at the proceedings relating to the offence in
question.
(a) An accused who is released under subsection (1) (a) and
who fails to appear or, as the case may be, to remain in
attendance at the proceedings in accordance with a
warning under that paragraph, shall be guilty of an
offence and liable to the punishment prescribed under
subsection (4).
(b) Any person in whose custody an accused is placed under
subsection (I) (b) and who fails in terms of a warning
under that subsection to bring the accused before court
or to have the accused remain in attendance, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to the punishment
prescribed under subsection (4).
(a) A police official who releases an accused under
subsection (1) (a) shall, at the time of releasing the
accused, complete and hand to the accused and, in the
43
44
(4)
case of subsection (1) (b), to the person in whose

custody the accused is, a written notice on which shall
be entered the offence in respect of which the accused is
being released and the court before which and the time at
which and the date on which the accused shall appear.
(b) A court which releases an accused under subsection (1)
shall, at the time of releasing the accused, record or
cause the relevant proceedings to be recorded in full,
and where such court is a magistrate's court or a
regional court, any document purporting to be an extract
from the record of proceedings of that court and
purporting to be certified as correct by the clerk of the
court and which sets out the warning relating to the
court before which, the time at which and the date on
which the accused is to appear, shall, on its mere
production in any court in which the relevant charge is
pending be prima facie proof of such warning.
The court may, if satisfied that an accused referred to in
subsection (2) (a) or a person referred to in subsection (2)
(b), was duly warned in terms of paragraph (a) or, as the
case may be, paragraph (b) of subsection (1), and that such
accused or such person has failed to comply with such
warning, issue a warrant for his arrest, and may, when he is
brought before the court, in a summary manner enquire into
his failure to comply with the warning and, unless such
accused or such person satisfies the court that his failure
was not due to fault on his part, sentence him to a fine not
exceeding one hundred rand or to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding three months.
CHAPTER 11
ASSISTANCE TO ACCUSED
73.
(l)
(2)
(3)
1995
Accused entitled to assistance after arrest and at criminal

proceedings.An accused who is arrested, whether with or without warrant,
shall, subject to any law relating to the management of
prisons, be entitled to the assistance of his legal adviser
as from the time of his arrest.
An accused shall be entitled to be represented by his legal
adviser at criminal proceedings, if such legal adviser is not
in terms of any law prohibited from appearing at the
proceedings in question.
An accused who is under the age of eighteen years may be
assisted by his parent or guardian at criminal proceedings,
and any accused who, in the opinion of the court, requires
the assistance of another person at criminal proceedings,
may, with the permission of the court, be so assisted at such
44
45
74.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
1995
proceedings.
Parent or guardian of accused under eighteen years to attend
proceedings.
Where an accused is under the age of eighteen years, a parent
or, as the case may be, the guardian of the accused shall be
warned, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2),
to attend the relevant criminal proceedings.
The parent or the guardian of the accused, if such parent or
guardian is known to be within the magisterial district in
question and can be traced without undue delay, shall, for
the purposes of subsection (1), be warned to attend the
proceedings in question(a) in any case in which the accused is arrested, by the
peace officer effecting the arrest or, where the arrest
is effected by a person other than a peace officer, the
police official to whom the accused is handed over, and
such peace officer or police official, as the case may
be, shall inform the parent or guardian, as the case may
be, of the place and date and time at which the accused
is to appear; or
(b) in the case of a summons under section 54 or a written
notice under section 56, by the person serving the
summons on or handing the written notice to the accused,
and such person shall serve a copy of such summons or
written notice on the parent or guardian, as well as a
notice warning the parent or guardian to attend the
proceedings in question at the place and on the date and
at the time specified in the summons or written notice.
A parent or guardian who has been warned in terms of
subsection (2), may apply to any magistrate of the court in
which the accused is to appear for exemption from the
obligation to attend the proceedings in question, and if such
magistrate exempts such parent or guardian, he shall do so in
writing.
A parent or guardian who has been warned in terms of
subsection (2) and who has not under subsection (3) been
exempted from the obligation to attend the relevant
proceedings, or a parent or guardian who is present at
criminal proceedings and who is warned by the court to remain
in attendance thereat, shall remain in attendance at the
relevant criminal proceedings, whether in that court or any
other court, unless excused by the court before which such
proceedings are pending.
If a parent or guardian has not been warned under subsection
(2), the court before which the relevant proceedings are
pending may at any time during the proceedings direct any
person to warn the parent or guardian of the accused to
attend such proceedings.
A parent or guardian who has been warned under subsection
45
46
(7)
(2), (4) or (5) and who fails to attend the proceedings

in question or, as the case may be, who fails to remain in
attendance at such proceedings in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (4), shall be guilty of an offence
and liable to the punishment prescribed under subsection (7).
The court, if satisfied from evidence placed before it that a
parent or guardian has been warned to attend the proceedings
in question and that such parent or guardian has failed to
attend such proceedings, or that a parent or guardian has
failed to remain in attendance at such proceedings, may issue
a warrant for the arrest of such parent or guardian and, when
he is brought before the court, in a summary manner enquire
into his failure to attend or to remain in attendance, and,
unless such parent or guardian satisfies the court that his
failure was not due to fault on his part, sentence him to a
fine not exceeding one hundred rand or to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding three months.
CHAPTER 12
SUMMARY TRIAL
75.
(l)
(2)
76.
(l)
(2)
1995
Summary trial and court of trial.When an accused is to be tried in a court in respect of an

offence, he shall, subject to the provisions of sections 119,
122A and 123, be tried at a summary trial in(a) a court which has jurisdiction and in which he appeared
for the first time in respect of such offence in
accordance with any method referred to in section 38;
(b) a court which has jurisdiction and to which he was
referred to under subsection (2); or
(c) any other court which has jurisdiction and which has been
designated by the attorney-general for the purposes of
such summary trial.
If an accused appears in a court which does not have
jurisdiction to try the case, the accused shall at the
request of the prosecutor be referred to a court having
jurisdiction.
Charge-sheet and proof of record of criminal case.
Unless an accused has been summoned to appear before the
court, the proceedings at a summary trial in a lower court
shall be commenced by lodging a charge-sheet with the clerk
of the court, and, in the case of a superior court, by
serving an indictment referred to in section 144 on the
accused and the lodging thereof with the registrar of the
court concerned.
The charge-sheet shall in addition to the charge against the
accused include the name and, where known and where
46
47
(3)
applicable, the address and description of the accused with

regard to sex, race, nationality and age.
(a) The court shall keep a record of the proceedings, whether
in writing or mechanical, or shall cause such record to
be kept, and the charge-sheet, summons or indictment
shall form part thereof.
(b) Such record may be proved in a court by the mere
production thereof or of a copy thereof in terms of
section 235.
(c) Where the correctness of any such record is challenged,
the court in which the record is challenged may, in order
to satisfy itself whether any matter was correctly
recorded or not, either orally or on affidavit hear such
evidence as it may deem necessary.
CHAPTER 13
ACCUSED : CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND PROCEEDINGS: MENTAL ILLNESS AND
CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
77.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
1995
Capacity of accused to understand proceedings.If it appears to the court at any stage of criminal
proceedings that the accused is by reason of mental illness
or mental defect not capable of understanding the proceedings
so as to make a proper defence, the court shall direct that
the matter be enquired into and be reported on in accordance
with the provisions of section 79.
If the finding contained in the relevant report is the
unanimous finding of the persons who under section 79
enquired into the mental condition of the accused and the
finding is not disputed by the prosecutor or the accused, the
court may determine the matter on such report without hearing
further evidence.
If the said finding is not unanimous or, if unanimous, is
disputed by the prosecutor or the accused, the court shall
determine the matter after hearing evidence, and the
prosecutor and the accused may to that end present evidence
to the court, including the evidence of any person who under
section 79 enquired into the mental condition of the accused.
Where the said finding is disputed, the party disputing the
finding may subpoena and cross-examine any person who under
section 79 has enquired into the mental condition of the
accused.
If the court finds that the accused is capable of
understanding the proceedings so as to make a proper defence,
the proceedings shall be continued in the ordinary way.
If the court finds that the accused is not capable of
understanding the proceedings so as to make a proper defence,
the court shall direct that the accused be detained in a
47
48
mental hospital or a prison pending the signification of the

decision of the State President, and if the court so directs
after the accused has pleaded to the charge, the accused
shall not be entitled under section 106 (4) to be acquitted
or to be convicted in respect of the charge in question.
(7) Where a direction is issued under subsection (6) or (9) that
the accused be detained in a mental hospital or a prison
pending the signification of the decision of the State
President, the accused may at any time thereafter, when he is
capable of understanding the proceedings so as to make a
proper defence, be prosecuted and tried for the offence in
question.
(8) (a) An accused against whom a finding is made(i) under subsection (5) and who is convicted;
(ii) under subsection (6) and against whom the finding
is not made in consequence of an allegation by the
accused under subsection (1), may appeal against
such finding.
(b) Such an appeal shall be made in the same manner and
subject to the same conditions as an appeal against a
conviction by the court for an offence.
(9) Where an appeal against a finding under subsection (5) is
allowed, the court of appeal shall set aside the conviction
and sentence and direct that the person concerned be detained
in a mental hospital or a prison pending the signification of
the decision of the State President.
(10) Where an appeal against a finding under subsection (6) is
allowed, the court of appeal shall set aside the direction
issued under that subsection and remit the case to the court
which made the finding, whereupon the relevant proceedings
shall be continued in the ordinary way.
78.
(l)
(2)
(3)
1995
Mental illness or mental defect and criminal responsibility.A person who commits an act which constitutes an offence and
who at the time of such commission suffers from a mental
illness or mental defect which makes him incapable(a) of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act; or
(b) of acting in accordance with an appreciation of the
wrongfulness of his act, shall not be criminally
responsible for such act.
If it is alleged at criminal proceedings that the accused is
by reason of mental illness or mental defect not criminally
responsible for the offence charged, or if it appears to the
court at criminal proceedings that the accused might for such
a reason not be so responsible, the court shall direct that
the matter be enquired into and be reported on in accordance
with the provisions of section 79.
If the finding contained in the relevant report is the
unanimous finding of the persons who under section 79
48
49
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
79.
(l)
1995
enquired into the relevant mental condition of the accused,

and the finding is not disputed by the prosecutor or the
accused, the court may determine the matter on such report
without hearing further evidence.
If the said finding is not unanimous or, if unanimous, is
disputed by the prosecutor or the accused, the court shall
determine the matter after hearing evidence, and the
prosecutor and the accused may to that end present evidence
to the court, including the evidence of any person who under
Where the said finding is disputed, the party disputing the
finding may subpoena and cross-examine any person who under
If the court finds that the accused committed the act in
question and that he at the time of such commission was by
reason of mental illness or mental defect not criminally
responsible for such act, the court shall find the accused
not guilty by reason of mental illness or mental defect, as
the case may be, and direct that the accused be detained in a
mental hospital or a prison pending the signification of the
decision of the State President.
If the court finds that the accused at the time of the
commission of the act in question was criminally responsible
for the act but that his capacity to appreciate the
wrongfulness of the act or to act in accordance with an
appreciation of the wrongfulness of the act was diminished by
reason of mental illness or mental defect, the court may take
the fact of such diminished responsibility into account when
sentencing the accused.
(a) An accused against whom a finding is made under
subsection (6) may appeal against such finding if the
finding is not made in consequence of an allegation by
the accused under subsection (2).
(b) Such an appeal shall be made in the same manner and
subject to the same conditions as an appeal against a
conviction by the court for an offence.
Where an appeal against a finding under subsection (6) is
allowed, the court of appeal shall set aside the finding and
the direction under that subsection and remit the case to the
court which made the finding, whereupon the relevant
proceedings shall be continued in the ordinary course.
Panel for purposes of enquiry and report under sections 77
and 78.Where a court issues a direction under section 77 (1) or 78
(2), the relevant enquiry shall be conducted and be reported
on(a) where the accused is charged with an offence for which
the sentence of death may not be imposed, by the medical
49
50
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
1995
superintendent of a mental hospital designated by

the court, or by a psychiatrist appointed by such medical
superintendent at the request of the court; or
(b) where the accused is charged with an offence for which
the sentence of death may be imposed or where the court
in any particular case so directs(i)
by the medical superintendent of a mental
hospital designated by the court, or by a
psychiatrist
appointed
by
such
medical
superintendent at the request of the court;
(ii)
by a psychiatrist appointed by the court and
who is not in the full-time service of the
State; and
(iii)
by a psychiatrist appointed by the accused if
he so wishes.
The court may for the purposes of the relevant enquiry commit
the accused to a mental hospital or to any other place
designated by the court, for such periods, not exceeding
thirty days at a time, as the court may from time to time
determine, and where an accused is in custody when he is so
committed, he shall, while he is so committed, be deemed to
be in the lawful custody of the person or the authority in
whose custody he was at the time of such committal.
The relevant report shall be in writing and shall be
submitted in triplicate to the registrar or, as the case may
be, the clerk of the court in question, who shall make a copy
thereof available to the prosecutor and the accused.
The report shall(a) include a description of the nature of the enquiry; and
(b) include a diagnosis of the mental condition of the
accused; and
(c) if the enquiry is under section 77 (1), include a finding
as to whether the accused is capable of understanding the
proceedings in question so as to make a proper defence;
or
(d) if the enquiry is under section 78 (2), include a finding
as to the extent to which the capacity of the accused to
appreciate the wrongfulness of the act in question or to
act in accordance with an appreciation of the
wrongfulness of that act was, at the time of the
commission thereof, affected by mental illness or mental
defect.
If the persons conducting the relevant enquiry are not
unanimous in their finding under paragraph (c) or (d) of
subsection (4), such fact shall be mentioned in the report
and each of such persons shall give his finding on the matter
in question.
Subject to the provisions of subsection (7), the contents of
the report shall be admissible in evidence at criminal
50
51
proceedings.
(7) A statement made by an accused at the relevant enquiry shall
not be admissible in evidence against the accused at criminal
proceedings, except to the extent to which it may be relevant
to the determination of the mental condition of the accused,
in
which
event
such
statement
shall
be
admissible
notwithstanding that it may otherwise be inadmissible.
(8) A psychiatrist appointed under subsection (1), other than a
psychiatrist appointed by an accused, shall, subject to the
provisions of subsection (10), be appointed from the list of
psychiatrists referred to in subsection (9).
(9) The Secretary for Health shall compile and keep a list of
psychiatrists who are prepared to conduct any enquiry under
this section, and shall provide the registrars of the several
divisions of the supreme court and all clerks of magistrates'
courts with a copy thereof.
(10) Where the list compiled and kept under subsection (9) does
not include a sufficient number of psychiatrists who may
conveniently be appointed for any enquiry under this section,
a psychiatrist may be appointed for the purposes of such
enquiry not-withstanding that his name does not appear on
such list.
(11) (a) A psychiatrist designated or appointed under subsection
(1) by or at the request of the court to enquire into the
mental condition of an accused and who is not in the
full-time service of the State, shall be compensated for
his services in connection with the enquiry from public
funds in accordance with a tariff determined by the
Minister in consultation with the Minister of Finance.
(b) A psychiatrist appointed under subsection (1) (b) by an
accused to enquire into the mental condition of the
accused and who is not in the full-time service of the
State, shall be compensated for his services from public
funds in the circumstances and in accordance with a
tariff determined by the Minister in consultation with
the Minister of Finance.
(12) For the purposes of this section a psychiatrist means a
person registered as a psychiatrist under the Medical, Dental
and Supplementary Health Service Professions Act, 1974 (Act
56 of 1974).
CHAPTER 14
THE CHARGE
80. Accused may examine charge.An accused may examine the charge at any stage of the relevant
criminal proceedings.
1995
51
52
81.
(l)
(2)
Joinder of charges.Any number of charges may be joined in the same proceedings

against an accused at any time before any evidence has been
led in respect of any particular charge, and where several
charges are so joined, each charge shall be numbered
consecutively.
(a) The court may, if in its opinion it will be in the
interests of justice to do so, direct that an accused be
tried separately in respect of any charge joined with any
other charge.
(b) An order under paragraph (a) may be made before or during
a trial, and the effect thereof shall be that the charge
in respect of which an accused is not then tried, shall
be proceeded with in all respects as if the accused had
in respect thereof been charged separately.
82. Several charges to be disposed of by same courtWhere an accused is in the same proceedings charged with more than
one offence, and any one charge is for any reason to be disposed of
by a regional court or a superior court, all the charges shall be
disposed of by the same court in the same proceedings.
83. Charge where it is doubtful what offence committed.If by reason of any uncertainty as to the facts which can be proved
or if for any other reason it is doubtful which of several offences
is constituted by the facts which can be proved, the accused may be
charged with the commission of all or any of such offences, and any
number of such charges may be tried at once, or the accused may be
charged in the alternative with the commission of any number of
such offences.
84.
(l)
(2)
(3)
85.
1995
Essentials of charge.Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any other law
relating to any particular offence, a charge shall set forth
the relevant offence in such manner and with such
particulars~as to the time and place at which the offence is
alleged to have been committed and the person, if any,
against whom and the property, if any, in respect of which
the offence is alleged to have been committed, as may be
reasonably sufficient to inform the accused of the nature of
the charge.
Where any of the particulars referred to in subsection (1)
are unknown to the prosecutor it shall be sufficient to state
that fact in the charge.
In criminal proceedings the description of any statutory
offence in the words of the law creating the offence, or in
similar words, shall be sufficient.
Objection to Charge.-
52
53
(l)
An accused may, before pleading to the charge under

section 106, object to the charge on the ground(a) that the charge does not comply with the provisions of
this Act relating to the essentials of a charge;
(b) that the charge does not set out an essential element of
the relevant offence;
(c) that the charge does not disclose an offence;
(d) that the charge does not contain sufficient particulars
of any matter alleged in the charge; or
(e) that the accused is not correctly named or described in
the charge:
Provided that the accused shall give reasonable notice to the
prosecution of his intention to object to the charge and shall
state the ground upon which he bases his objection: Provided
further that the requirement of such notice may be waived by the
attorney-general or the prosecutor, as the case may be, and the
court may, on good cause shown, dispense with such notice or
adjourn the trial to enable such notice to be given.
(2) (a) If the court decides that an objection under subsection
(1) is well-founded, the court shall make such order
relating to the amendment of the charge or the delivery
of particulars as it may deem fit.
(b) Where the prosecution fails to comply with an order under
paragraph (a), the court may quash the charge.
86.
(1)
(2)
(3)
1995
Court may order that charge be amended.

Where a charge is defective for the want of any essential
averment therein, or where there appears to be any variance
between any averment in a charge and the evidence adduced in
proof of such averment, or where it appears that words or
particulars that ought to have been inserted in the charge
have been omitted therefrom, or where any words or
particulars that ought to have been omitted from the charge
have been inserted therein, or where there is any other error
in the charge, the court may, at any time before judgment, if
it considers that the making of the relevant amendment will
not prejudice the accused in his defence, order that the
charge, whether it discloses an offence or not, be amended,
so far as it is necessary, both in that part thereof where
the defect, variance, omission, insertion or error occurs and
in any other part thereof which it may become necessary to
amend.
The amendment may be made on such terms as to an adjournment
of the proceedings as the court may deem fit.
Upon the amendment of the charge in accordance with the order
of the court, the trial shall proceed at the appointed time
upon the amended charge in the same manner and with the same
consequences as if it had been originally in its amended
form.
53
54
(4)
The fact that a charge is not amended as provided in this

section, shall not, unless the court refuses to allow the
amendment, affect the validity of the proceedings thereunder.
87.
(l)
Court may order delivery of particulars.An accused may at any stage before any evidence in respect of
any particular charge has been led, in writing request the
prosecution to furnish particulars or further particulars of
any matter alleged in that charge, and the court before which
a charge is pending may at any time before any evidence in
respect of that charge has been led, direct that particulars
or further particulars be delivered to the accused of any
matter alleged in the charge, and may, if necessary, adjourn
the proceedings in order that such particulars may be
delivered.
The particulars shall be delivered to the accused without
charge and shall be entered in the record, and the trial
shall proceed as if the charge had been amended in conformity
with such particulars.
In determining whether a particular is required or whether a
defect in the indictment before a superior court is material
to the substantial justice of the case, the court may have
regard to the summary of the substantial facts under
paragraph (a) of section 144 (3) or, as the case may be, the
record of the preparatory examination.
(2)
(3)
88. Defect in charge cured by evidence.Where a charge is defective for the want of an averment which is an
essential ingredient of the relevant offence, the defect shall,
unless brought to the notice of the court before judgment, be cured
by evidence at the trial proving the matter which should have been
averred.
89. Previous conviction not to be alleged in charge.Except where the fact of a previous conviction is an element of any
offence with which an accused is charged, it shall not in any
charge be alleged that an accused has previously been convicted of
any offence, whether in the Republic or elsewhere.
90.
Charge need not specify or negative exception, exemption,

proviso, excuse or qualification.In criminal proceedings any exception, exemption, proviso, excuse
or qualification, whether it does or does not accompany in the same
section the description of the offence in the law creating the
offence, may be proved by the accused but need not be specified or
negatived in the charge and, if so specified or negatived, need not
be proved by the prosecution.
91.
1995
Charge need not state manner or means of act.
54
55
A charge need not set out the manner in which or the means or
instrument by which any act was done, unless the manner, means or
instrument is an essential element of the relevant offence.
92.
(l)
(2)
Certain omissions or imperfections not to invalidate charge.

A charge shall not be held defective(a) for want of the averment of any matter which need not be
proved;
(b) because any person mentioned in the charge is designated
by a name of office or other descriptive appellation
instead of by his proper name;
(c) because of an omission, in any case where time is not of
the essence of the offence, to state the time at which
the offence was committed;
(d) because the offence is stated to have been committed on a
day subsequent to the laying of the complaint or the
service of the charge or on an impossible day or on a day
that never happened;
(e) for want of, or imperfection in, the addition of any
accused or any other person;
(f) for want of the statement of the value or price of any
matter or thing, or the amount of damage, injury or spoil
in any case where the value or price or the amount of
damage, injury or spoil is not of the essence of the
offence.
If any particular day or period is alleged in any charge to
be the day on which or the period during which any act or
offence was committed, proof that such act or offence was
committed on any other day or during any other period not
more than three months before or after the day or period
alleged therein shall be taken to support such allegation if
time is not of the essence of the offence: Provided that(a) proof may be given that the act or offence in question
was committed on a day or during a period more than three
months before or after the day or period stated in the
charge unless it is made to appear to the court before
which the proceedings are pending that the accused is
likely to be prejudiced thereby in his defence on the
merits;
(b) if the court considers that the accused is likely to be
prejudiced thereby in his defence on the merits, it shall
reject such proof, and the accused shall be deemed not to
have pleaded to the charge.
93. Alibi and date of act or offence.If the defence of an accused is an alibi and the court before which
the proceedings are pending is of the opinion that the accused may
be prejudiced in making such defence if proof is admitted that the
act or offence in question was committed on a day or at a time
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56
other than the day or time stated in the charge, the court
shall reject such proof notwithstanding that the day or time in
question is within a period of three months before or after the day
or time stated in the charge, whereupon the same consequences shall
follow as are mentioned in proviso (b) of section 92 (2).
94.
Charge may allege commission of offence on diverse

occasions.Where it is alleged that an accused on divers occasions during any
period committed an offence in respect of any particular person,
the accused may be charged in one charge with the commission of
that offence on divers occasions during a stated period.
95.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
1995
Rules applicable to particular

A charge relating to a testamentary instrument need not
allege that the instrument is the property of any person.
A charge relating to anything fixed in a square, street or
open place or in a place dedicated to public use or ornament,
or relating to anything in a public place or office or taken
therefrom, need not allege that the thing in question is the
property of any person.
A charge relating to a document which is the evidence of
title to land or of an interest in land may describe the
document as being the evidence of the title of the person or
of one of the persons having an interest in the land to which
the document relates, and shall describe the land or any
relevant part thereof in a manner sufficient to identify it.
A charge relating to the theft of anything leased to the
accused may describe the thing in question as the property of
the person who leased it to the accused.
A charge against a person in the public service for an
offence committed in connection with anything which came into
his possession by virtue of his employment may describe the
thing in question as the property of the State.
A charge relating to anything in the possession or under the
control of any public officer may describe the thing in
question as being in the lawful possession or under the
lawful control of such officer without referring to him by
name.
A charge relating to movable or immovable property whereof
any body corporate has by law the management, control or
custody, may describe the property in question as being under
the lawful management or control or in the lawful custody of
the body corporate in question.
If it is uncertain to which of two or more persons property
in connection with which an offence has been committed
belonged at the time when the offence was committed, the
relevant charge may describe the property as the property of
one or other of those persons, naming each of them but
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57
without specifying which of them, and it shall be sufficient

at the trial to prove that at the time when the offence was
committed the property belonged to one or other of those
persons without proving which of them.
(9) If property alleged to have been stolen was not in the
physical possession of the owner thereof at the time when the
theft was committed but in the physical possession of another
person who had the custody thereof on behalf of the owner, it
shall be sufficient to allege in a charge for the theft of
that property that it was in the lawful custody or under the
lawful control of that other person.
(10) A charge relating to theft from any grave need not allege
that anything in the grave is the property of any person.
(11) In a charge in which any trade mark or forged trade mark is
proposed to be mentioned, it shall be sufficient, without
further description and without any copy or facsimile, to
state that such trade mark or forged trade mark is a trade
mark or forged trade mark.
(12) A charge relating to housebreaking or the entering of any
house or premises with intent to commit an offence, whether
the charge is brought under the common law or any statute,
may state either that the accused intended to commit a
specified offence or that the accused intended to commit an
offence to the prosecutor unknown.
96. Naming of company, firm or partnership in charge.
A reference in a charge to a company, firm or partnership shall be
sufficient if the reference is to the name of the company, firm or
partnership.
97. Naming of joint owners of property in charge.A reference in a charge to joint owners of property shall be
sufficient if the reference is to one specific owner and another
owner or, as the case may be, other owners.
98.
Charge of murder or culpable homicide sufficient if it

alleges fact of killing.
It shall be sufficient in a charge of murder to allege that the
accused unlawfully and intentionally killed the deceased, and it
shall be sufficient in a charge of culpable homicide to allege that
the accused unlawfully killed the deceased.
99.
(1)
1995
Charge relating to document sufficient if it refers to

document by name.In any charge relating to the forging, uttering, stealing,
destroying or concealing of, or to some other unlawful
dealing with any document, it shall be sufficient to describe
the document by any name or designation by which it is
usually known or by the purport thereof, without setting out
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(2)
any
copy
or
facsimile thereof or otherwise describing
it or stating its value.
Whenever it is necessary in any case not referred to in
subsection (I) to make any allegation in any charge in
relation to any document, whether it consists wholly or in
part of writing, print or figures, it shall be sufficient to
describe the document by any name or designation by which it
is usually known or by the purport thereof, without setting
out any copy or facsimile of the whole or any part thereof,
unless the wording of the document is an element of the
offence.
100. Charge alleging theft may allege general deficiency.On a charge alleging the theft of money or property by a person
entrusted with the control thereof, the charge may allege a general
deficiency in a stated amount, notwithstanding that such general
deficiency is made up of specific sums of money or articles or of a
sum of money representing the value of specific articles, the theft
of which extended over a period.
101. Charge relating to false evidence.
(l) A charge relating to the administering or taking of an oath
or the administering or making of an affirmation or the
giving of false evidence or the making of a false statement
or the procuring of false evidence or a false statement(a) need not set forth the words of the oath or the
affirmation or the evidence or the statement, if it sets
forth so much of the purport thereof as is material;
(b) need not allege, nor need it be established at the trial,
that the false evidence or statement was material to any
issue at the relevant proceedings or that it was to the
prejudice of any person.
(2) A charge relating to the giving or the procuring or attempted
procuring of false evidence need not allege the jurisdiction
or state the nature of the authority of the court or tribunal
before which or the officer before whom the false evidence
was given or was intended or proposed to be given.
102. Charge relating to insolvency.A charge relating to insolvency need not set forth any debt, act of
insolvency or adjudication or any other proceeding in any court, or
any order made or any warrant or document issued by or under the
authority of any court.
103. Charge alleging intent to defraud need not allege or prove
such intent in respect of particular person or mention owner
of property or set forth details of deceit.In any charge in which it is necessary to allege that the accused
performed an act with an intent to defraud, it shall be sufficient
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59
to allege and to prove that the accused performed the act with
intent to defraud without alleging and proving that it was the
intention of the accused to defraud any particular person, and such
a charge need not mention the owner of any property involved or set
forth the details of any deceit.
104. Reference in charge to objectionable matter not necessary.A charge of printing, publishing, manufacturing, making or
producing blasphemous, seditious, obscene or defamatory matter, or
of distributing, displaying, exhibiting, selling or offering or
keeping for sale any obscene book, pamphlet, newspaper or other
printed or written matter, shall not be open to objection or be
deemed insufficient on the ground that it does not set out the
words thereof: Provided that the court may order that particulars
shall be furnished by the prosecution stating what passages in such
book, pamphlet, newspaper, printing or writing are relied upon in
support of the charge.
CHAPTER 15
THE PLEA
105. Accused to plead to charge.The charge shall be put to the accused by the prosecutor before the
trial of the accused is commenced, and the accused shall, subject
to the provisions of sections 77 and 85, be required by the court
forthwith to plead thereto in accordance with section 106.
106. Pleas.(l) When an accused pleads to a charge he may plead(a) that he is guilty of the offence charged or of any
offence of which he may be convicted on the charge; or
(b) that he is not guilty; or
(c) that he has already been convicted of the offence with
which he is charged; or
(d) that he has already been acquitted of the offence with
which he is charged; or
(e) that he has received a free pardon under section 327 (6)
from the State President for the offence charged; or
(f) that the court has no jurisdiction to try the offence; or
(g) that he has been discharged under the provisions of
section 204 from prosecution for the offence charged; or
(h) that the prosecutor has no title to prosecute.
(2) Two or more pleas may be pleaded together except that a plea
of guilty may not be pleaded with any other plea to the same
charge.
(3) An accused shall give reasonable notice to the prosecution of
his intention to plead a plea other than the plea of guilty
or not guilty, and shall in such notice state the ground on
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(4)
which he bases his plea: Provided that the requirement of

such notice may be waived by the attorney-general or the
prosecutor, as the case may be, and the court may, on good
cause shown, dispense with such notice or adjourn the trial
to enable such notice to be given.
An accused who pleads to a charge, other than a plea that the
court has no jurisdiction to try the offence, or an accused
on behalf of whom a plea of not guilty is entered by the
court, shall, save as is otherwise expressly provided by this
Act or any other law, be entitled to demand that he be
acquitted or be convicted.
107. Truth and publication for public benefit of defamatory matter

to be specially pleaded.A person charged with the unlawful publication of defamatory
matter, who sets up as a defence that the defamatory matter is true
and that it was for the public benefit that the matter should be
published, shall plead such defence specially, and may plead it
with any other plea except the plea of guilty.
108. Issues raised by plea to be tried.If an accused pleads a plea other than a plea of guilty, he shall,
subject to the provisions of sections 115, 122 and 141(3), by such
plea be deemed to demand that the issues raised by the plea be
tried.
109. Accused refusing to plead.Where an accused in criminal proceedings refuses, to plead to any
charge, the court shall record a plea of not guilty on behalf of
the accused and a plea so recorded shall have the same effect as if
it had been actually pleaded.
CHAPTER 16
JURISDICTION
110. Accused brought before court which has no jurisdiction.(1) Where an accused does not plead that the court has no
jurisdiction and it at any stage(a) after the accused has pleaded a plea of guilty or of not
guilty; or
(b) where the accused has pleaded any other plea and the
court has determined such plea against the accused,
appears that the court in question does not have
jurisdiction, the court shall for the purposes of this
Act be deemed to have jurisdiction in respect of the
offence in question.
(2) Where an accused pleads that the court in question has no
jurisdiction and the plea is upheld, the court shall adjourn
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61
the
case
to
the
court having jurisdiction.
111. Minister may remove trial to jurisdiction of another

attorney-general.(1) Where the Minister deems it in the interests of the
administration of justice that an offence committed within
the area of jurisdiction of one attorney-general be tried
within the area of jurisdiction of another attorney-general,
he may in writing direct that criminal proceedings in respect
of such offence be commenced in a court at a place within the
area of jurisdiction of such other attorney-general.
(2) (a) The direction of the Minister shall set out the name of
the accused, the relevant offence, the place at which (if
known) and the provincial division in which the offence
was committed, and the place at which the relevant
criminal proceedings shall commence and the provincial
division in which such place is situated.
(b) A copy of the direction shall be served on the accused,
and the original thereof shall, save as is provided in
subsection (4), be handed in at the court in which the
proceedings are to commence.
(3) The court in which the proceedings commence shall have
jurisdiction to act with regard to the offence in question as
if the offence had been committed within the area of
jurisdiction of such court.
(4) Where the Minister issues a direction under subsection (1)
after an accused has already appeared in a court, the
original of such direction shall be handed in at the relevant
proceedings and attached to the record of the proceedings,
and the court in question shall(a) where the accused is not in custody, cause the accused to
be brought before it, and when the accused is before it,
adjourn the proceedings to a time and a date and to the
court in which the accused is to appear in accordance
with the said direction, whereupon such time and date and
court shall be deemed to be the time and date and place
appointed for the trial of the accused or to which the
proceedings pending against the accused are adjourned;
(b) forward a copy of the record of the proceedings to the
court in which the accused is to appear, and that court
shall receive such copy and continue with the proceedings
against the accused as if such proceedings had commenced
before it.
(5) The direction of the Minister shall be final and not subject
to appeal to any court.
CHAPTER 17
PLEA OF GUILTY AT SUMMARY TRIAL
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112. Plea of guilty.(l) Where an accused at a summary trial in any court pleads
guilty to the offence charged, or to an offence of which he
may be convicted on the charge and the prosecutor accepts
that plea(a) the presiding judge may, if he is of the opinion that the
offence does not merit the sentence of death, or the
presiding judge, regional magistrate or magistrate may,
if he is of the opinion that the offence does not merit
punishment of imprisonment or any other form of detention
without the option of a fine or of a whipping or of a
fine exceeding R300, convict the accused in respect of
the offence of which he has pleaded guilty on his plea of
guilty only and(i) impose any competent sentence, her than the
sentence of death or imprisonment or any other form
of detention without the option of a fine or a
whipping or a fine exceeding R300; or
(ii) deal with the accused otherwise in accordance with
law;
Paragraph (a) of Section 112(1) substituted by section 9(a) of the
(b) the presiding judge shall, if he is of the opinion that
the offence merits the sentence of death, or the
residing judge, regional magistrate or magistrate shall,
if he is of the opinion that the offence merits
punishment of imprisonment or any other form of detention
without the option of a fine or of a whipping or of a
fine exceeding R300, or if requested thereto by the
prosecutor, question the accused with reference to the
alleged facts of the case in order to ascertain whether
he admits the allegations in the charge to which he has
pleaded guilty, and may, if satisfied that the accused is
guilty of the offence to which he has pleaded guilty,
convict the accused on his plea of guilty of that offence
and impose any competent sentence: Provided that the
sentence of death shall not be imposed unless the guilt
of the accused has been proved as if he had pleaded not
guilty.
Paragraph (b) of Section 112(1) substituted by section 9(b) of the
(2)
1995
If an accused or his legal adviser hands a written statement

by the accused into court, in which the accused sets out the
facts which he admits and on which he has pleaded guilty, the
court may, in lieu of questioning the accused under
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63
subsection (1) (b), convict the accused on the strength of

such statement and sentence him as provided in the said
subsection if the court is satisfied that the accused is
guilty of the offence to which he has pleaded guilty:
Provided that the court may in its discretion put any
question to the accused in order to clarify any matter raised
in the statement.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent the prosecutor from
presenting evidence on any aspect of the charge, or the court
from hearing evidence, including evidence or a statement by
or on behalf of the accused, with regard to sentence, or from
questioning the accused on any aspect of the case for the
purposes of determining an appropriate sentence.
113. Correction of plea of guilty.If the court at any stage of the proceedings under section 112 and
before sentence is passed is in doubt whether the accused is in law
guilty of the offence to which he has pleaded guilty or is
satisfied that the accused does not admit an allegation in the
charge or that the accused has incorrectly admitted any such
allegation or that the accused has a valid defence to the charge,
the court shall record a plea of not guilty and require the
prosecutor to proceed with the prosecution: Provided that any
allegation, other than an allegation referred to above, admitted by
the accused up to the stage at which the court records a plea of
not guilty, shall stand as proof in any court of such allegation.
114. Committal by magistrate's court of accused for sentence by
regional court after plea of guilty.(l) If a magistrate's court, after conviction following on a plea
of guilty but before sentence, is of the opinion(a) that the offence in respect of which the accused has been
convicted is of such a nature or magnitude that it merits
punishment in excess of the jurisdiction of a
magistrate's court; or
(b) that the previous convictions of the accused are such
that the offence in respect of which the accused has been
convicted merits punishment in excess of the jurisdiction
of a magistrate's court,
the court shall stop the proceedings and commit the accused
for sentence by a regional court having jurisdiction.
(1)bis
If the court has stopped the proceedings under subsection
(1) and there is no regional court having jurisdiction,
the attorney-general shall be deemed to have instructed
that the trial be converted into a preparatory
examination under section 123(b).
Subsection (1)bis inserted by Section 1 of the Criminal Procedure
(2) Where an accused is committed under subsection (I) for
sentence by a regional court, the record of the proceedings
in the magistrate's court shall upon proof thereof in the
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(3)
(4)
regional court be received by the regional court and form

part of the record of that court, and the plea of guilty and
any admission by the accused shall stand unless the accused
satisfies the court that such plea or such admission was
incorrectly recorded.
(a) Unless the regional court concerned(i) is satisfied that a plea of guilty or an admission
by the accused which is material to his guilt was
incorrectly recorded; or
(ii) is not satisfied that the accused is guilty of the
offence of which he has been
convicted and in respect of which he has been committed
for sentence, the court shall make a formal finding of
guilty and sentence the accused.
(b) If the court is satisfied that a plea of guilty or any
admission by the accused which is material to his guilt
was incorrectly recorded, or if the court is not
satisfied that the accused is guilty of the offence of
which he has been convicted and in respect of which he
has been committed for sentence or that he has no valid
defence to the charge, the court shall enter a plea of
not guilty and proceed with the trial as a summary trial
in that court: Provided that any admission by the accused
the recording of which is not disputed by the accused,
shall stand as proof of the fact thus admitted.
The provisions of section 112 (3) shall apply with reference
to the proceedings under this section.
CHAPTER 18
PLEA OF NOT GUILTY AT SUMMARY TRIAL
115. Plea of not guilty and procedure with regard to issues.(1) Where an accused at a summary trial pleads not guilty to the
offence charged, the presiding judge, regional magistrate or
magistrate, as the case may be, may ask him whether he wishes
to make a statement indicating the basis of his defence.
(2) (a) Where the accused does not make a statement under
subsection (1) or does so and it is not clear from the
statement to what extent he denies or admits the issues
raised by the plea, the court may question the accused in
order to establish which allegations in the charge are in
dispute.
(b) The court may in its discretion put any question to the
accused in order to clarify any matter raised under
subsection (1) or this subsection, and shall enquire from
the accused whether an allegation which is not placed in
issue by the plea of not guilty, may be recorded as an
admission by the accused of that allegation, and if the
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accused so consents, such admission shall be recorded

and shall be deemed to be an admission under section 220.
(3) Where the legal adviser of an accused on behalf of the
accused replies, whether in writing or orally, to any
question by the court under this section, the accused shall
be required by the court to declare whether he confirms such
reply or not.
115A. Committal of accused for trial by regional court.(1) Where an accused pleads not guilty in a magistrate's court,
the court shall, subject to the provisions of section 115, at
the request of the prosecutor made before any evidence is
tendered, refer the accused for trial to a regional court
having jurisdiction.
(2) The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court shall
upon proof thereof in the regional court be received by the
regional court and form part of the record of that court.
116. Committal of accused for sentence by regional court after
trial in magistrate's court.(l) If a magistrate's court, after conviction following on a plea
of not guilty but before sentence, is of the opinion(a) that the offence in respect of which the accused has been
convicted is of such a nature or magnitude that it merits
punishment in excess of the jurisdiction of a
magistrate's court; or
(b) that the previous convictions of the accused are such
that the offence in respect of 'which the accused has
been convicted merits punishment in excess of the
jurisdiction of a magistrate's court,
the court shall stop the proceedings and commit the accused
for sentence by a regional court having jurisdiction.
(1)bis
If the court has stopped the proceedings under subsection
(1) and there is no regional court having jurisdiction,
the attorney-general shall be deemed to have instructed
that the trial be converted into a preparatory
examination under section 123(b).
Subsection (1)bis inserted by Section 2 of the Criminal Procedure
(2) The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court shall
upon proof thereof in the regional court be received by the
regional court and form part of the record of that court.
(3) (a) The regional court shall, after considering the record of
the proceedings in the magistrate's court, sentence the
accused, and the judgment of the magistrate's court shall
stand for this purpose and be sufficient for the regional
court to pass any competent sentence: Provided that if
the regional magistrate is of the opinion that the
proceedings are not in accordance with justice or that
doubt exists whether the proceedings are in accordance
with justice, he shall, without sentencing the accused,
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66
record the reasons for his opinion and transmit such

reasons, together with the record of the proceedings in
the magistrate's court, to the registrar of the
provincial division having jurisdiction, and such
registrar shall, as soon as possible, lay the same in
chambers before a judge who shall have the same powers in
respect of such proceedings as if the record thereof had
been laid before him under section 303.
(b) If a regional magistrate acts under the proviso to
paragraph (a), he shall inform the accused accordingly
and postpone the case to some future date pending the
outcome of the review proceedings, and, if the accused is
in custody, the regional magistrate may make such order
with regard to the detention or release of the accused as
he may deem fit.
117. Committal to superior court in special case.Where an accused in a lower court pleads not guilty to the offence
charged against him and a ground of his defence is the alleged
invalidity of a provincial ordinance or an ordinance of the
Legislative Assembly of the territory or a proclamation of the
State President or of the Administrator of the territory on which
the charge against him is founded and upon the validity of which a
magistrate's court is in terms of section 110 of the Magistrates'
Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944), not competent to pronounce, the
accused shall be committed for a summary trial before a superior
court having jurisdiction.
118. Non-availability of judicial officer after plea of not
guilty.If the judge, regional magistrate or magistrate before whom an
accused at a summary trial has pleaded not guilty is for any reason
not available to continue with the trial and no evidence has been
adduced yet, the trial may be continued before any other judge,
regional magistrate or magistrate of the same court.
CHAPTER 19
PLEA IN MAGISTRATE'S COURT ON CHARGE JUSTICIABLE IN SUPERIOR
COURT
119. Accused to plead in magistrate's court on instructions of
attorney-general.When an accused appears in a magistrate's court and the alleged
offence may be tried by a superior court only or is of such a
nature or magnitude that it merits punishment in excess of the
jurisdiction of a magistrate's court, the prosecutor may,
notwithstanding the provisions of section 75, on the instructions
of the attorney-general, whether in general or in any particular
case, put the charge, as well as any other charge which shall, in
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terms of section 82, be disposed of in a superior court, to the

accused in the magistrate's court, and the accused shall, subject
to the provisions of sections 77 and 85, be required by the
magistrate to plead thereto forthwith.
Section 119 substituted by 10 of the Criminal Procedure Matters
120. Charge-sheet and proof of record.The proceedings shall be commenced by the lodging of a charge-sheet
with the clerk of the court in question and the provisions of
subsections (2) and (3) of section 76 shall mutatis mutandis apply
with reference to the charge-sheet and the record of the
proceedings.
121. Plea of guilty.
(I) Where an accused under section 119 pleads guilty to the
offence charged, the presiding magistrate shall question him
in terms of the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 112
(1).
(2) (a) If the magistrate is satisfied that the accused admits
the allegations stated in the charge, he shall stop the
proceedings.
(b) If the magistrate is not satisfied as provided in
paragraph (a), he shall record in what respect he is not
so satisfied and enter a plea of not guilty and deal with
the matter in terms of section 122 (1): Provided that an
allegation with reference to which the magistrate is so
satisfied and which has been recorded as an admission,
shall stand at the trial of the accused as proof of such
allegation.
(3) If the magistrate is satisfied as provided in subsection (2)
(a), he shall adjourn the proceedings pending the decision of
the attorney-general, who may(a) arraign the accused for sentence before a superior court
or any other court having jurisdiction, including the
magistrate's court in which the proceedings were stopped
under subsection (2) (a);
(b) decline to arraign the accused for sentence before any
court but arraign him for trial on any charge at a
summary trial before a superior court or any other court
having jurisdiction, including the magistrate's court in
which the proceedings were stopped under subsection (2)
(a);
(c) institute a preparatory examination against the accused.
[Sub-s. (3) substituted by s. 6 of Act No. 56 of 1979.]
(4) The magistrate or any other magistrate of the magistrate's
court concerned shall advise the accused of the decision of
the attorney-general and, if the decision is that the accused
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be arraigned for sentence(a) in the magistrate's court concerned, dispose of the case
on the charge on which the accused is arraigned; or
(b) in a regional court or superior court, adjourn the case
for sentence by the regional court or superior court
concerned.
(5) (a)
The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court
shall, upon proof thereof in the court in which the
accused is arraigned for sentence, be received as part of
the record of that court against the accused or, if the
accused is arraigned in the magistrate's court in which
the proceedings were stopped under subsection (2) (a),
the record of such proceedings shall stand as the record
of that court, and the plea of guilty and any admission
by the accused shall stand and form part of the record of
that court unless the accused satisfies the court that
such plea or such admission was incorrectly recorded.
(aA)
The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court
shall, upon proof thereof in the court in which the
accused is arraigned for a summary trial, be received as
part of the record of that court against the accused, and
any admission by the accused shall stand and form part of
the record of that court unless the accused satisfies the
court that such admission was incorrectly recorded.
Paragraph (aA) inserted by Section 11 of the Criminal Procedure
(6)
(7)
1995
(b) Unless the accused satisfies the court that a plea of

guilty or an admission was incorrectly recorded or unless
the court is not satisfied that the accused is guilty of
the offence to which he has pleaded guilty or that the
accused has no valid defence to the charge, the court may
convict the accused on his plea of guilty of the offence
to which he has pleaded guilty and impose any competent
sentence: Provided that the sentence of death shall not
be imposed unless the guilt of the accused has been
proved as if he had pleaded not guilty.
If the accused satisfies the court that the plea of guilty or
an admission which is material to his guilt was incorrectly
recorded, or if the court is not satisfied that the accused
is guilty of the offence to which he has pleaded guilty or
that the accused has no valid defence to the charge, the
court shall record a plea of not guilty and proceed with the
trial as a summary trial in that court: Provided that an
admission by the accused the recording of which is not
disputed by the accused, shall stand as proof of the fact
thus admitted.
Nothing in this section shall prevent the prosecutor from
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presenting evidence on any aspect of the charge, or the

court from hearing evidence, including evidence or a
statement by or on behalf of the accused, with regard to
sentence, or from questioning the accused on any aspect of
the case for the purposes of determining an appropriate
sentence.
122. Plea of not guilty.(l) Where an accused under section 119 pleads not guilty to the
offence charged, the court shall act in terms of section 115
and when that section has been complied with, the magistrate
shall stop the proceedings and adjourn the case pending the
decision of the attorney-general.
(2) Where the proceedings have been adjourned under subsection
(1), the attorney- general may(i) arraign the accused on any charge at a summary trial
before a superior court or any other court having
jurisdiction, including the magistrate's court in
which
the
proceedings
were
adjourned
under
subsection (1); or
(ii) institute a preparatory examination against the accused,
and
the
attorney-general
shall
advise
the
magistrate's court concerned of his decision.
(3) The magistrate, who need not be the magistrate before whom
the proceedings under section 119 or 122 (1) were conducted,
shall advise the accused of the decision of the attorneygeneral, and if the decision is that the accused be
arraigned(a) in the magistrate's court concerned, proceed with the
trial from the stage at which the proceedings were
adjourned under subsection (1) or, if the accused is
arraigned on a charge which is different from the charge
to which he has pleaded, require the accused to plead to
that charge, and, if the plea to that charge is one of
guilty or the plea in respect of an offence of which the
accused may on such charge be convicted is one of guilty
and the prosecutor accepts such plea, deal with the
matter in accordance with the provisions of section 112,
in which event the provisions of section 114 (1) shall
not apply, or, if the plea is one of not guilty, deal
with the matter in accordance with the provisions of
section 115 and proceed with the trial;
(b) in a regional court or a superior court, commit the
accused for a summary trial before the court concerned.
(4) The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court
shall, upon proof thereof in the court in which the accused
is arraigned for a summary trial, be received as part of the
record of that court against the accused, and any admission
by the accused shall stand at the trial of the accused as
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proof of such an admission.

CHAPTER 19A
PLEA IN MAGISTRATE'S COURT ON CHARGE TO BE ADJUDICATED IN
REGIONAL COURT
122A. Accused to plead in magistrate's court on charge to be tried
in regional court.When an accused is brought before a magistrate's court under
section 50(1), including an accused released on bail under section
59 or on warning by a police official under section 72, and the
alleged offence may be tried by a regional court but not by a
magistrate's court or the prosecutor informs the court that he is
of the opinion that the alleged offence is of such a nature or
magnitude that it merits punishment in excess of the jurisdiction
of a magistrate's court but not of the jurisdiction of a regional
court, the prosecutor may, notwithstanding the provisions of
section 75, put the relevant charge to the accused, who shall,
subject to the provisions of sections 77 and 85, be required by the
magistrate to plead to the charge forthwith.
122B. Charge-sheet and proof of record.
The provisions of section 120 shall mutatis mutandis apply with
reference to the proceedings under section 122A and the record of
the proceedings.
122C. Plea of guilty.(l) Where an accused under section 122A pleads guilty to the
offence charged, the presiding magistrate shall question him
in terms of the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 112
(1).
(2) (a) If the magistrate is satisfied that the accused admits
the allegations stated in the charge, he shall adjourn
the case for sentence by the regional court concerned.
(b) If the magistrate is not satisfied as provided in
paragraph (a), he shall record in what respect he is not
so satisfied and enter a plea of not guilty and deal with
the matter in terms of section 122D (1): Provided that an
allegation with reference to which the magistrate is so
allegation.
(3) (a) The record of the proceedings in the magistrate's court
shall, upon proof thereof in the regional court in which
the accused is arraigned for sentence, be received as
part of the record of that court against the accused, and
the plea of guilty and any admission by the accused shall
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(4)
(5)
stand and form part of the record of that court unless

the accused satisfies the court that such plea or such
admission was incorrectly recorded.
(b) Unless the accused satisfies the court that the plea of
to which he has pleaded guilty, and impose any competent
sentence.
If the accused satisfies the court that the plea of guilty or
court shall record a plea of not guilty and proceed with the
trial as a summary trial in that court: Provided that an
thus admitted.
purpose of determining an appropriate sentence.
122D. Plea of not guilty.(1) Where an accused under section 122A pleads not guilty to the
offence charged, the court shall act in terms of section 115
and when that section has been complied with, the magistrate
shall commit the accused for a summary trial in the regional
court concerned on the charge to which he has pleaded not
guilty or on the charge in respect of which a plea of not
guilty has been entered under section 122C (2) (b).
(2) The regional court may try the accused on the charge in
respect of which he has been committed for a summary trial
under subsection (1) or on any other or further charge which
the prosecutor may prefer against the accused and which the
court is competent to try.
(3) The record of proceedings in the magistrate's court shall,
upon proof thereof in the regional court in which the accused
is arraigned for a summary trial, be received as part of the
record of that court against the accused, and any admission
by the accused shall stand at the trial of the accused as
proof of such an admission.
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CHAPTER 20
PREPARATORY EXAMINATION
123. Attorney-general may instruct that preparatory examination be
held.If an attorney-general is of the opinion that it is necessary for
the more effective administration of justice(a) that a trial in a superior court be preceded by a preparatory
examination in a magistrate's court into the allegations
against the accused, he may, where he does not follow the
procedure under section 119, or, where he does follow it and
the proceedings are adjourned under section 121(3) or 122 (1)
pending the decision of the attorney-general, instruct that a
preparatory examination be instituted against the accused;
(b) that a trial in a magistrate's court or a regional court be
converted into a preparatory examination, he may at any stage
of the proceedings, but before sentence is passed, instruct
that the trial be converted into a preparatory examination.
124.Proceedings preceding holding of preparatory examination to
form part of preparatory examination record.Where an attorney-general acts under paragraph (a) or (b) of
section 123(a) the record of any proceedings under section 121(1) or 122 (I)
or of any proceedings in the magistrate's court or regional
court before the trial was converted into a preparatory
examination, shall form part of the preparatory examination
record;
(b) and the accused has pleaded to a charge, the preparatory
examination shall continue on the charge to which the accused
has pleaded: Provided that where evidence is led at such
preparatory examination which relates to an offence, other
than the offence contained in the charge to which the accused
has pleaded, allegedly committed by the accused, such
evidence shall not be excluded on the ground only that the
evidence does not relate to the offence to which the accused
has pleaded.
125. Attorney-general may direct that preparatory examination be
conducted at a specified place.(l) Where an attorney-general instructs that a preparatory
examination be instituted or that a trial be converted into a
preparatory examination, he may, if it appears to him
expedient on account of the number of accused involved or of
excessive inconvenience or of possible disturbance of the
public order, that the preparatory examination be held within
his area of jurisdiction in a court other than the court in
which the relevant proceedings were commenced, direct that
the preparatory examination be instituted in such other court
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(2)
(3)
or, where a trial has been converted into a preparatory

examination, be continued in such other court.
The magistrate or regional magistrate shall, after advice of
the decision of the attorney-general, advise the accused of
the decision of the attorney-general and adjourn the
proceedings to such other court, and thereafter forward a
copy of the record of the proceedings, certified as correct
by the clerk of the court, to the court to which the proceedings have been adjourned.
The court to which the proceedings are adjourned under
subsection (2), shall receive the copy of the record referred
to in that subsection, which shall then form part of the
proceedings of that court, and shall proceed to conduct the
preparatory examination as if it were a preparatory
examination instituted in that court.
126. Procedure to be followed by magistrate at preparatory

examination.Where an attorney-general instructs that a preparatory examination
be held against an accused, the magistrate or regional magistrate
shall, after advice of the decision of the attorney-general, advise
the accused of the decision of the attorney-general and proceed in
the manner hereinafter described to enquire into the charge against
the accused.
127. Recalling of witnesses after conversion of trial into
preparatory examination.Where an attorney-general instructs that a trial be converted into
a preparatory examination, it shall not be necessary for the
magistrate or regional magistrate to recall any witness who has
already given evidence at the trial, but the record of the evidence
thus given, certified as correct by the magistrate or regional
magistrate, as the case may be, or, if such evidence was recorded
in shorthand or by mechanical means, any document purporting to be
a transcription of the original record of such evidence and
purporting to be certified as correct under the hand of the person
who transcribed it, shall have the same legal force and effect and
shall be admissible in evidence in the same circumstances as the
evidence given in the course of a preparatory examination: Provided
that if it appears to the magistrate or regional magistrate
concerned that it may be in the interests of justice to have a
witness already examined recalled for further examination, then
such witness shall be recalled and further examined and the
evidence given by him shall be recorded in the same manner as other
evidence given at a preparatory examination.
128. Examination
of
prosecution
witnesses
at
preparatory
examination.The prosecutor may, at a preparatory examination, call any witness
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in support of the charge to which the accused has pleaded or

to testify in relation to any other offence allegedly committed by
the accused.
129. Recording of evidence at preparatory examination and proof of
record.(l) The evidence given at a preparatory examination shall be
recorded, and if such evidence is recorded in shorthand or by
mechanical means, a document purporting to be a transcription
of the original record of such evidence and purporting to be
certified as correct under the hand of the person who
transcribed such evidence, shall have the same legal force
and effect as such original record.
(2) The record of a preparatory examination may be proved in a
court by the mere production thereof or of a copy thereof in
terms of section 235.
130. Charge to be put at conclusion of evidence for prosecution.The prosecutor shall, at the conclusion of the evidence in support
of the charge, put to the accused such charge or charges as may
arise from the evidence and which the prosecutor may prefer against
the accused.
131. Accused to plead to charge.The magistrate or regional magistrate, as the case may be, shall,
subject to the provisions of sections 77 and 85, require an accused
to whom a charge is put under section 130 forthwith to plead to the
charge.
132. Procedure after plea.(l) (a) Where an accused who has been required under section 131
to plead to a charge to which he has not pleaded before,
pleads guilty to the offence charged, the presiding
judicial officer shall question him in accordance with
the provisions of paragraph (b) of section 112 (1).
(b) If the presiding judicial officer is not satisfied that
the accused admits all the allegations in the charge, he
shall record in what respect he is not so satisfied and
enter a plea of not guilty: Provided that an allegation
with reference to which the said judicial officer is so
allegation.
(2) Where an accused who has been required under section 131 to
plead to a charge to which he has not pleaded before, pleads
not guilty to the offence charged, the presiding judicial
officer shall act in accordance with the provisions of
section 115.
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133. Accused may testify at preparatory examination.An accused may, after the provisions of section 132 have been
complied with but subject to the provisions of section 151 (1) (b)
which shall mutatis mutandis apply, give evidence or make an
unsworn statement in relation to a charge put to him under section
130, and the record of such evidence or statement shall be received
in evidence before any court in criminal proceedings against the
accused upon its mere production without further proof.
134. Accused may call witnesses at preparatory examination.An accused may call any competent witness on behalf of the defence.
135. Discharge
of
accused
at
conclusion
of
preparatory
examination.As soon as a preparatory examination is concluded and the
magistrate or regional magistrate, as the case may be, is upon the
whole of the evidence of the opinion that no sufficient case has
been made out to put the accused on trial upon any charge put to
the accused under section 130 or upon any charge in respect of an
offence of which the accused may on such charge be convicted, he
may discharge the accused in respect of such charge.
136. Procedure
with
regard
to
exhibits
at
preparatory
examination.The magistrate or regional magistrate, as the case may be, shall
cause every document and every article produced or identified as an
exhibit by any witness at a preparatory examination to be
inventoried and labelled or otherwise marked, and shall cause such
documents and articles to be kept in safe custody pending any trial
following upon such preparatory examination.
137. Magistrate to transmit record of preparatory examination to
attorney-general.
The magistrate or regional magistrate, as the case may be, shall,
at the conclusion of a preparatory examination and whether or not
the accused is under section 135 discharged in respect of any
charge, send a copy of the record of the preparatory examination to
the attorney-general and, where the accused is not discharged in
respect of all the charges put to him under section 130, adjourn
the proceedings pending the decision of the attorney-general.
138. Preparatory examination may be continued before different
judicial officer.A preparatory examination may at any stage be continued by a
judicial officer other than the judicial officer before whom the
proceedings were commenced, and, if necessary, again be continued
by the judicial officer before whom the proceedings were commenced.
139. Attorney-general may arraign accused for sentence or trial.-
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76
After considering the record of a

preparatory
examination
transmitted to him under section 137, the attorney-general may(a) in respect of any charge to which the accused has under
section 131 pleaded guilty, arraign the accused for sentence
before any court having jurisdiction;
(b) arraign the accused for trial before any court having
jurisdiction, whether the accused has under section 131
pleaded guilty or not guilty to any charge and whether or not
he has been discharged under section 135;
(c) decline to prosecute the accused,
and the attorney-general shall advise the lower court concerned of
his decision.
140. Procedure where accused arraigned for sentence.
(1) Where an accused is under section 139 (a) arraigned for
sentence, any magistrate or regional magistrate of the court
in which the preparatory examination was held shall advise
the accused of the decision of the attorney-general and, if
the decision is that the accused be arraigned(a) in the court concerned, dispose of the case on the charge
on which the accused is arraigned; or
(b) in a court other than the court concerned, adjourn the
case for sentence by such other court.
(2) (a) The record of the preparatory examination shall, upon
proof thereof in the court in which the accused is
arraigned for sentence, be received as part of the record
of that court against the accused or, if the accused is
arraigned in the court in which the preparatory
examination was held, the record of the preparatory
examination shall stand as the record of that court, and
the plea of guilty and any admission by the accused shall
stand and form part of the record of that court unless
the accused satisfies the court that such plea or such
admission was incorrectly recorded.
(b) Unless the accused satisfies the court that the plea of
to which he has pleaded guilty and impose any competent
sentence: Provided that the sentence of death shall not
be imposed unless the guilt of the accused has been
proved as if he had pleaded not guilty.
(3) If the accused satisfies the court that the plea of guilty or
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(4)
court shall record a plea of not guilty and proceed with

the trial as a summary trial in that court: Provided that an
thus admitted.
purposes of determining an appropriate sentence.
141. Procedure where accused arraigned for trial.(1) Where an accused is under section 139 (b) arraigned for
trial, a magistrate or regional magistrate of the court in
which the preparatory examination was held shall advise the
accused of the decision of the attorney-general and, if the
accused is to be arraigned in a court other than the court
concerned, commit the accused for trial by such other court.
(2) Where an accused is arraigned for trial after a preparatory
examination, the case shall be dealt with in all respects as
with a summary trial.
(3) The record of the preparatory examination shall, upon proof
thereof in the court in which the accused is arraigned for
trial, be received as part of the record of that court
against the accused, and any admission by the accused shall
stand at the trial of the accused as proof of such admission:
Provided that the evidence adduced at such preparatory
examination shall not form part of the record of the trial of
the accused unless(a) the accused pleads guilty at his trial to the offence
charged, or to an offence of which he may he convicted on
the charge and the prosecutor accepts that plea; or
(b) the parties to the proceedings agree that any part of
such evidence be admitted at the proceedings.
(4)
1995
(a) Where an accused who has been discharged under section

135 is arraigned for trial under section 139 (b), the
clerk of the court where the preparatory examination was
held shall issue to him a written notice to that effect
and stating the place, date and time for the appearance
of the accused in that court for committal for trial, or,
if he is to be arraigned in that court, to plead to the
charge on which he is to be arraigned.
(b) The notice referred to in paragraph (a) shall be served
on the accused in the manner provided for in sections 54
(2) and (3) for the service of a summons in a lower court
and the provisions of sections 55 (1) and (2) shall
mutatis mutandis apply with reference to such a notice.
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78
(c) If
the
accused
is committed for trial by another
court, the court committing the accused may direct that
he be detained in custody, whereupon the provisions of
Chapter 9 shall apply with reference to the release of
the accused on bail.
142. Procedure where attorney-general declines to prosecute.Where an attorney-general under section 139 (c) declines to
prosecute an accused, he shall advise the magistrate of the
district in which the preparatory examination was held of his
decision, and such magistrate shall forthwith have the accused
released from custody or, if the accused is not in custody, advise
the accused in writing of the decision of the attorney-general,
whereupon no criminal proceedings shall again be instituted against
the accused in respect of the charge in question.
143. Accused may inspect preparatory examination record and is
entitled to copy thereof.(1) An accused who is arraigned for sentence or for trial under
section 139 may, without payment, inspect the record of the
preparatory examination at the time of his arraignment before
the court.
(2) (a) An accused who is arraigned for sentence or for trial
under section 139 shall be entitled to a copy of the
record of the preparatory examination upon payment,
except where a legal practitioner under the Legal Aid
Act, 1969 (Act 22 of 1969), or pro Deo counsel is
appointed to defend the accused or where the accused is
not legally represented, of a reasonable amount not
exceeding twenty-five cents for each folio of seventy-two
words or part thereof.
(b) The clerk of the court shall as soon as possible provide
the accused or his legal adviser with a copy of the
preparatory examination record in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph (a).
CHAPTER 21
TRIAL BEFORE SUPERIOR COURT
144. Charge in superior court to be laid in an indictment.(l) Where an attorney-general arraigns an accused for sentence or
trial by a superior court, the charge shall be contained in a
document called an indictment, which shall be framed in the
name of the attorney-general.
(2) The indictment shall, in addition to the charge against the
accused, include the name and, where known and where
applicable, the address and a description of the accused with
regard to sex, race, nationality and age.
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(3)
(4)
1995
(a)
Where an attorney- general under section 75, 121(3)

(b) or 122 (2) (i) arraigns an accused for a summary
trial in a superior court, the indictment shall be
accompanied by a summary of the substantial facts of the
case that, in the opinion of the attorney-general, are
necessary to inform the accused of the allegations
against him and that will not be prejudicial to the
administration of justice or the security of the State,
as well as a list of the names and addresses of the
witnesses the attorney-general intends calling at the
summary trial on behalf of the State: Provided that(i)
this provision shall not be so construed that
the State shall be bound by the contents of
the summary;
(ii)
the attorney-general may withhold the name and
address of a witness if he is of the opinion
that such witness may be tampered with or be
intimidated or that it would be in the
interest of the security of the State that the
name and address of such witness be withheld;
(iii)
the omission of the name or address of a
witness from such list shall in no way affect
the validity of the trial.
(b) Where the evidence for the State at the trial of the
accused differs in a material respect from the summary
referred to in paragraph (a), the trial court may, at the
request of the accused and if it appears to the court
that the accused might be prejudiced in his defence by
reason of such difference, adjourn the trial for such
period as to the court may seem adequate.
(a) An indictment, together with a notice of trial referred
to in the rules of court, shall, unless an accused agrees
to a shorter period, be served on an accused at least ten
days (Sundays and public holidays excluded) before the
date appointed for the trial(i) in accordance with the procedure and manner laid
down by the rules of court, by handing it to him
personally, or, if he cannot be found, by
delivering it at his place of residence or place of
employment or business to a person apparently over
the age of sixteen years and apparently residing or
employed there, or, if he has been released on
bail, by leaving it at the place determined under
section 62 for the service of any document on him;
or
(ii) by the magistrate or regional magistrate committing
him to the superior court, by handing it to him.
(b) A return of the mode of service by the person who served
the indictment and the notice of trial, or, if the said
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80
documents were served in court on the accused by a

magistrate or regional magistrate, an endorsement to that
effect on the record of proceedings, may, upon the
failure of the accused to attend the proceedings in the
superior court, be handed in at the proceedings and shall
be prima facie proof of the service.
(c) The provisions of section 55 (1) and (2) shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to a notice of trial served
on an accused in terms of this subsection.
CHAPTER 21
TRIAL BEFORE SUPERIOR COURT
144. Charge in superior court to be laid in an indictment~
(l) Where an attorney-general arraigns an accused(a) under section 75 or 122 (2) (i) for a summary trial by a
superior court;
(b) under section 121(4) for sentence by a superior court; or
(c) under section 139 for sentence or trial by a superior
court,
the charge shall be contained in a document called an indictment,
which shall be framed in the name of the attorney-general.
(2)The indictment shall, in addition to the charge against the
accused, include the name and, where known and where applicable,
the address and a description of the accused with regard to sex,
race, nationality and age.
(3) (a) Where an attorney-general under section 75 or 122 (2) (i)
arraigns an accused for a summary trial in a superior
court, the indictment shall be accompanied by a summary
of the substantial facts of the case that, in the opinion
of the attorney-general, are necessary to inform the
accused of the allegations against him and that will not
be prejudicial to the administration of justice or the
security of the State, as well as a list of the names and
addresses of the witnesses the attorney-general intends
calling at the summary trial on behalf of the State:
Provided that(i)
this provision shall not be so construed that
the State shall be bound by the contents of
the summary;
(ii)
the attorney-general may withhold the name and
address of a witness if he is of the opinion
that such witness may be tampered with or be
intimidated or that it would be in the
interest of the security of the State that the
name and address of such witness be withheld;
(iii)
the omission of the name or address of a
witness from such list shall in no way affect
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(b)
(4)
(a)
(b)
(c)
the validity of the trial.

Where the evidence for the State at the trial of the
accused differs in a material respect from the summary
referred to in paragraph (a), the trial court may, at the
request of the accused and if it appears to the court
that the accused might be prejudiced in his defence by
reason of such difference, adjourn the trial for such
period as to the court may seem adequate.
An indictment, together with a notice of trial referred
to in the rules of court, shall, unless an accused agrees
to a shorter period, be served on an accused at least ten
days (Sundays and public holidays excluded) before the
date appointed for the trial(i) in accordance with the procedure and manner laid
down by the rules of court, by handing it to him
personally, or, if he cannot be found, by
delivering it at his place of residence or place of
employment or business to a person apparently over
the age of sixteen years and apparently residing or
employed there, or, if he has been released on
bail, by leaving it at the place determined under
section 62 for the service of any document on him;
or
(ii) by the magistrate or regional magistrate committing
him to the superior court, by handing it to him.
A return of the mode of service by the person who served
the indictment and the notice of trial, or, if the said
documents were served in court on the accused by a
magistrate or regional magistrate, an endorsement to that
effect on the record of proceedings, may, upon the
failure of the accused to attend the proceedings in the
superior court, be handed in at the proceedings and shall
be prima facie proof of the service.
The provisions of section 55 (1) and (2) shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to a notice of trial served
on an accused in terms of this subsection.
145. Trial in superior court by judge sitting with or without

assessors.(1) (a) Except as provided in section 148, an accused arraigned
before a superior court shall be tried by a judge of that
court sitting with or without assessors in accordance
with the provisions set out hereunder.
(b) An assessor for the purposes of this section means a
person who, in the opinion of the judge who presides at a
trial, has experience in the administration of justice or
skill in any matter which may be considered at the trial.
(2) Where an attorney-general arraigns an accused before a
superior court-
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(3)
(4)
(a) for
trial
and
the accused pleads not guilty; or
(b) for sentence, or for trial and the accused pleads guilty,
and a plea of not guilty is entered at the direction of
the presiding judge,
the presiding judge may summon not more than two assessors to
assist him at the trial: Provided that where the offence in
respect of which the accused is on trial is an offence for
which the sentence of death is a competent sentence, the
presiding judge shall, if he is of the opinion that, in the
event of a conviction and having regard to the circumstances
of the case, the sentence of death may be imposed or may have
to be imposed, summon two assessors to his assistance.
No assessor shall hear any evidence unless he first takes an
oath or, as the case may be, makes an affirmation,
administered by the presiding judge, that he will, on the
evidence placed before him, give a true verdict upon the
issues to be tried.
An assessor who takes an oath or makes an affirmation under
subsection (30 shall be a member of the court: provided that
(a) subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) of
this proviso and of section 217(3)(b), the decision or
finding of the majority of the members of the court upon
any question of fact or upon the question referred to in
the said paragraph (b) shall be the decision or finding
of the court, except when the presiding judge sits with
only one assessor, in which case the decision or finding
of the judge shall, in the case of a difference of
opinion, be the decision or finding of the court;
(b) if the presiding judge is of the opinion that it would be
in the interest of the administration of justice that the
assessor or the assessors assisting him do not take part
in any decision upon the question whether evidence of any
confession or other statement made by an accused is
admissible as evidence against him the judge alone shall
decide upon such question, and he may for this purpose
sit alone;
(c) the presiding judge alone shall decide upon any other
question of law or upon any question whether any matter
constitutes a question of law or a question of fact, and
he may for this purpose sit alone.
Section 145(4) substituted by 12 of the Criminal Procedure Matters

(5)
1995
If an assessor is not in the full-time employment of the

State, he shall be entitled to such compensation as the
Minister, in consultation with the Minister of Finance, may
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determine in respect of expenses incurred by him in

connection with his attendance at the trial, and in respect
of his services as assessor.
146. Reasons for decision by superior court in criminal trial.A judge presiding at a criminal trial in a superior court shall (a) where he decides any question of law, including any question
under paragraph (c) of the proviso to section 145(4) whether
any matter constitutes a question of law or a question of
fact, give the reasons for his decision;
(b) whether he sits with or without assessors, give the reasons
for the decision or finding of the court upon any question of
fact.
(c) where he sits with assessors for the decision or finding of
the court upon the question referred to in paragraph (b) of
the proviso to section 145(4);
(d) where he sits with assessors and there is a difference of
opinion upon any question of fact or upon the question
referred to in paragraph (b) of the proviso to section
145(4), give the reasons for the decision or finding of the
member of the court who is in the minority or, where the
presiding judge sits with only one assessor, of such an
assessor.
Section 146 substituted by section 13 of the Criminal Procedure
147. Death or incapacity of assessor.(1) If an assessor dies or, in the opinion of the presiding
judge, becomes unable to act as assessor at any time during a
trial, the presiding judge may direct(a) that the trial proceed before the remaining member or
members of the court; or
(b) that the trial start de novo, and for that purpose summon
an assessor in the place of the assessor who has died or
has become unable to act as assessor.
(2) Where the presiding judge acts under subsection (1) (b), the
plea already recorded shall stand.
148. State President may constitute special superior court.(l) Where an attorney-general decides to arraign an accused
before a superior court upon a charge which relates to the
security of the State or to the maintenance of the public
order, and the Minister is of the opinion that the
circumstances relating to such charge are such that the
interests of justice or of the public order will be better
served if the accused is tried by a superior court which is
specially constituted for the trial, the State President may
constitute a special superior court to conduct the trial
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(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
relating to such charge.

(a) A special superior court may sit at any place within the
area of jurisdiction of the provincial division in
respect of which the attorney-general referred to in
subsection (1) has been appointed, and such place and the
date on which and the time at which such court shall
commence its sitting, shall be determined by such
attorney-general.
(b) A special superior court shall have jurisdiction to try
the charge referred to in subsection (1) and to sentence
the accused to any punishment which by law may be imposed
in respect thereof.
(a) A special superior court shall consist of three judges,
who may be appointed from any provincial division.
(b) The decision or finding of the majority of the members of
the court shall be the decision or finding of the court.
(c) The Minister shall designate an officer in the public
service or a judge's clerk to act as registrar of a
special superior court.
The Minister shall cause the constitution of a special
superior court, together with the names of the members
thereof, the name and official address of the registrar
thereof, and the date on which and the time at which and the
place at which such court will commence its sitting, to be
notified in the Gazette.
Save as otherwise in this section provided, the provisions of
this Act relating to a trial by a superior court shall
mutatis mutandis apply with reference to the trial of an
accused by a special superior court.
If at any time during the trial a member of a special
superior court dies or becomes unable to continue as a member
of the court, the trial shall proceed before the remaining
members of the court.
At the conclusion of any sitting of a special superior court,
the registrar of that court shall transmit the record of the
proceedings of that sitting to the registrar of the
provincial division in question, and such record shall
thereupon become a record of that provincial division.
149. Change of venue in superior court after indictment has been

lodged.(1) A superior court may, at any time after an indictment has
been lodged with the registrar of that court and before the
date of trial, upon application by the prosecution and after
notice to the accused, or upon application by the accused
after notice to the prosecution, order that the trial be held
at a place within the area of jurisdiction of such court,
other than the place determined for the trial, and that it be
held on a date and at a time, other than the date and time
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(2)
determined for the trial.

If the accused is not present or represented at such an
application by the prosecution or if the prosecution is not
represented at such an application by the accused, the court
shall direct that a copy of the order be served on the
accused or, as the case may be, on the prosecution, and upon
service thereof, the venue and date and time as changed shall
be deemed to be the venue and date and time respectively that
were originally appointed for the trial.
CHAPTER 22
CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS
150. Prosecutor may address court and adduce evidence.(l) The prosecutor may at any trial, before any evidence is
adduced, address the court for the purpose of explaining the charge
and indicating, without comment, to the court what evidence he
intends adducing in support of the charge.
(2) (a) The prosecutor may then examine the witnesses for the
prosecution and adduce such evidence as may be admissible
to prove that the accused committed the offence referred
to in the charge or that he committed an offence of which
he may be convicted on the charge.
(b) Where any document may be received in evidence before any
court upon its mere production, the prosecutor shall read
out such document in court unless the accused is in
possession of a copy of such document or dispenses with
the reading out thereof.
151. Accused may address court and adduce evidence.(l) (a) If an accused is not under section 174 discharged at the
close of the case for the prosecution, the court shall
ask him whether he intends adducing any evidence on
behalf of the defence, and if he answers in the
affirmative, he may address the court for the purpose of
indicating to the court, without comment, what evidence
he intends adducing on behalf of the defence.
(b) The court shall also ask the accused whether he himself
intends giving evidence on behalf of the defence, and(i) if the accused answers in the affirmative, he
shall, except where the court on good cause shown
allows otherwise, be called as a witness before any
other witness for the defence; or
(ii) if the accused answers in the negative but decides,
after other evidence has been given on behalf of
the defence, to give evidence himself, the court
may draw such inference from the accused's conduct
as may be reasonable in the circumstances.
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(2)
(a) The accused may then examine any other witness for
the defence and adduce such other evidence on behalf of
the defence as may be admissible.
(b) Where any document may be received in evidence before any
court upon its mere production and the accused wishes to
place such evidence before the court, he shall read out
the relevant document in court unless the prosecutor is
in possession of a copy of such document or dispenses
with the reading out thereof.
152. Criminal proceedings to be conducted in open court.Except where otherwise expressly provided by this Act or any other
law, criminal proceedings in any court shall take place in open
court, and may take place on any day.
153. Circumstances in which criminal proceedings shall not take
place in open court.(1) If it appears to any court that it would, in any criminal
proceedings pending before that court, be in the interests of
the security of the State or of good order or of public
morals or of the administration of justice that such
proceedings be held behind closed doors, it may direct that
the public or any class thereof shall not be present at such
proceedings or any part thereof.
(2) If it appears to any court at criminal proceedings that there
is a likelihood that harm might result to any person, other
than an accused, if he testifies at such proceedings, the
court may direct(a) that such person shall testify behind closed doors and
that no person shall be present when such evidence is
given unless his presence is necessary in connection with
such proceedings or is authorized by the court;
(b) that the identity of such person shall not be revealed or
that it shall not be revealed for a period specified by
the court.
(3) In criminal proceedings relating to a charge that the accused
committed or attempted to commit(a)
(b)
Paragraphs (a) and (b) Deleted by Section 14(a) Of the Combating of
Rape Act, 8/2000
(c)
extortion or any statutory offence of demanding from any

other person some advantage which was not due and, by
inspiring fear in the mind of such other person,
compelling him to render such advantage,
the court before which such proceedings are pending may, at
the request of such other person or, if he is a minor, at the
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request of his parent or guardian, direct that any person

whose presence is not necessary at the proceedings or any
person or class of persons mentioned in the request, shall
not be present at the proceedings: Provided that judgment
shall be delivered and sentence shall be passed in open court
if the court is of the opinion that the identity of the other
person concerned would not be revealed thereby.
(3A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1), (2),
(5) and (6) but subject to the provisions of subsection
(3B), in criminal proceedings relating to a charge that the
accused committed or attempted to commit (a) any sexual or indecent act towards or in connection
with any complainant;
(b) any act for the purposes of procuring or furthering the
commission of a sexual or indecent act towards or in
connection with any complainant; or
(c) any domestic violence offence as defined in the
Domestic Violence Act, 2003;
the court before which such proceedings are pending shall,
to the extent authorised thereto by the provisos to Article
12(1)(a) and (c) of the Namibian Constitution, direct that
any person whose presence is not necessary at such
proceedings, shall not be present at those proceedings,
unless the complainant in such proceedings, or, if he or she
is a minor, his or her parent or guardian or a person in
loco parentis, otherwise requests.
(3B) Any person whose presence is not necessary at criminal
proceedings referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of
subsection (3A), shall not be present at such proceedings
while the complainant in such proceedings is giving
evidence, unless such complainant, or, if he or she is a
minor, his or her parent or guardian or a person in loco
parentis, otherwise requests..
Subsections 3A and 3B inserted by section 14(b) of the Combating
of Rape Act 8 of 2000 and further substituted by Section 1(c) of
Act No. 4, 2003 COMBATING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2003
(4)
(5)
1995
Where an accused at criminal proceedings before any court is

under the age of eighteen years, no person, other than such
accused, his legal representative and parent or guardian or a
person in loco parentis, shall be present at such
proceedings, unless such person's presence is necessary in
connection with such proceedings or is authorized by the
court.
Where a witness at criminal proceedings before any court is
under the age of eighteen years, the court may direct that no
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(6)
(7)
person, other than such witness

and
his
parent
or
guardian or a person in loco parentis, shall be present at
such proceedings, unless such person's presence is necessary
in connection with such proceedings or is authorized by the
court.
The court may direct that no person under the age of eighteen
years shall be present at criminal proceedings before the
court, unless he is a witness referred to in subsection (5)
and is actually giving evidence at such proceedings or his
presence is authorized by the court.
To the extent that the provisions of this section provide
for a limitation of the fundamental right to a public
hearing and to the giving of judgment in criminal
proceedings in public hearing and to the giving of judgment
in criminal proceedings in public contemplated in paragraphs
(a) and (c), respectively, of Sub-Article (1) of Article 12
of the Namibian Constitution, in that they authorize the
exclusion of the public from criminal proceedings or any
part thereof, such limitation is enacted on authority of the
said paragraphs (a) and (c).
Subsections 153(7) inserted by section 14(c) of the Combating of

Rape Act 8 of 2000
154. Prohibition of publication of certain information relating to
criminal proceedings.(1) Where a court under section 153 (1) on any of the grounds
referred to in that subsection directs that the public or any
class thereof shall not be present at any proceedings or part
thereof, the court may direct that no information relating to
the proceedings or any part thereof held behind closed doors
shall be published in any manner whatever: Provided that a
direction by the court shall not prevent the publication of
information relating to the name and personal particulars of
the accused, the charge against him, the plea, the verdict
and the sentence, unless the court is of the opinion that the
publication of any part of such information might defeat the
object of its direction under section 153 (1), in which event
the court may direct that such part shall not be published.
(2) (a) Where a court under section 153(3) directs that any
person or class of persons shall not be present at
criminal proceedings, no person shall publish in any
manner whatever any information which might reveal the
identity of any complainant in the proceedings:
Provided that the presiding judge or judicial officer
may authorise the publication of such information if he
or she is of the opinion that such publication would be
just and equitable: Provided further that such
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(b)
(c)
information may be
published with regard to any
complainant in the proceedings with regard to any
complainant in the proceedings if that complainant is
eighteen years of age or older and has authorised the
publication of such information.
Where a court in terms of section 153(3A) directs that
any person shall not be present at criminal proceedings
or where any person is in terms of section 153(3B) not
permitted to be present at criminal proceedings, no
person shall publish in any manner whatever any
information which might reveal the identity of any
complainant in the proceedings: Provided that the
presiding judge or judicial officer may authorize the
publication of such information if he or she is of the
opinion that such publication would be just and
equitable: Provided further that such information may
be published with regard to any complainant in the
proceedings if that complainant is eighteen years of
age or older and has authorized the publication of such
information.
No person shall at any stage from the time of the
commission of the relevant offence to the appearance of
an accused in a court upon any charge referred to in
section 153(3) or 153(3A) or at any stage after such
appearance but before the accused has pleaded to the
charge, publish in any manner whatever any information
which might reveal the identity of the complainant
towards or in connection with whom such offence is
alleged to have been committed.
Subsection 154(2) as substituted by Section 15(a) of the Combating

of Rape act 8 of 2000
(3)
No person shall publish in any manner whatever any

information which reveals or may reveal the identity of an
accused under the age of eighteen years or of a witness at
criminal proceedings who is under the age of eighteen years:
Provided that the presiding judge or judicial officer may
authorize the publication of so much of such information as
he may deem fit if the publication thereof would in his
opinion be just and equitable and in the interest of any
particular person.
(4) No prohibition or direction under this section shall apply
with reference to the publication in the form of a bona fide
law report of(a) information for the purpose of reporting any question of
law relating to the proceedings in question; or
(b)
any decision or ruling given by any court on such
question,
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(5)
if such report does not mention the name of the person

charged or of the person against whom or in connection with
whom the offence in question was alleged to have been committed or of any witness at such proceedings, and does not
mention the place where the offence in question was alleged
to have been committed.
Any person who publishes any information in contravention of
this section or contrary to any direction or authority under
this section or who in any manner whatever reveals the
identity of a witness in contravention of a direction under
section 153(2), shall be guilty of an offence and liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding N$ 10 000 or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both
such fine and such imprisonment,
Subsection 154(5) as substituted by Section 15(b) of the Combating

of Rape Act 8 of 2000
(6)
To the extent that the provision of this section provide for

a limitation of the fundamental rights contemplated in
paragraph (a) of Sub-Article (1) of Article 21 of the
Namibian Constitution, in that they authorize interference
with a persons freedom to publish information relating to
criminal proceedings, such limitation is enacted on
authority of Sub-Article (2) of the said Article.
Subsection 154(6) as inserted by Section 15(c) of the Combating of

Rape Act 8 of 2000
155. Persons implicated in same offence may be tried together.(l) Any number of participants in the same offence may be tried
together and any number of accessories after the same fact
may be tried together or any number of participants in the
same offence and any number of accessories after that fact
may be tried together, and each such participant and each
such accessory may be charged at such trial with the relevant
substantive offence alleged against him.
(2) A receiver of property obtained by means of an offence shall
for purposes of this section be deemed to be a participant in
the offence in question.
156. Persons committing separate offences at same time and place
may be tried together.Any number of persons charged in respect of separate offences
committed at the same place and at the same time or at about the
same time, may be charged and tried together in respect of such
offences if the prosecutor informs the court that evidence
admissible at the trial of one of such persons will, in his
opinion, also be admissible as evidence at the trial of any other
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such person or such persons.

157. Joinder of accused and separation of trials.(l) An accused may be joined with any other accused in the same
criminal proceedings at any time before any evidence has been
led in respect of the charge in question.
(2) Where two or more persons are charged jointly, whether with
the same offence or with different offences, the court may at
any time during the trial, upon the application of the
prosecutor or of any of the accused, direct that the trial of
any one or more of the accused shall be held separately from
the trial of the other accused, and the court may abstain
from giving judgment in respect of any of such accused.
158. Criminal proceedings to take place in presence of accused.Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Act or any other
law, all criminal proceedings in any court shall take place in the
presence of the accused.
Special arrangements for vulnerable witnesses
158A(1)
A court before whom a vulnerable witness gives evidence
in criminal proceedings, may on the application of any
party to such proceedings or the witness concerned, or
on its own motion make an order that special
arrangements
be made for the giving of the evidence of that witness.
(2) Special arrangements means one or more of the
following steps:
(a) The relocation of the trial to another location while
the evidence of the vulnerable witness is being heard;
(b) the rearrangement of the furniture in a court room, or
the removal from or addition of certain furniture or
objects to or from the court room, or a direction that
certain persons sit or stand at certain locations in
the court room;
(c) notwithstanding the provisions of section 153 the
granting of permission to any person (hereinafter
referred to as a support person) who is a fit person
for that purpose to accompany the witness while he or
she is giving evidence;
(d) the granting of permission to the witness to give
evidence behind a screen or in another room which is
connected to the court room by means of closed circuit
television or a one way mirror or by any other device
or method that complies with subsection (6);
(e)
1995
the taking of any other steps that in the opinion of

the court are expedient and desirable in order to
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facilitate the giving of evidence by the vulnerable

witness concerned.
(3) For the purposes of this section a vulnerable witness is a
person (a) who is under the age of eighteen;
(b) against whom an offence of a sexual or indecent nature
has been committed;
(c) against whom any offence involving violence has been
committed by a close family member or a spouse or a
partner in any permanent relationship;
(d) who as a result of some mental or physical disability,
the possibility of intimidation by the accused or any
other person, or for any other reason will suffer undue
stress while giving evidence, or who as a result of
such disability, background, possibility or other
reason will be unable to give full and proper evidence.
(4) The support person is entitled to(a) stand or sit near the witness and to give such physical
comfort to the witness as may be desirable;
(b) interrupt the proceedings to alert the presiding
officer to the fact that the witness is experiencing
undue distress:
Provided that subject to subsection (5), the support person shall
not be entitled to assist the witness with the answering of a
question or instruct the witness in the giving of evidence.
(5) The court may give instructions to a support person
prohibiting him or her from communicating with the witness
or from taking certain actions, or may instruct the support
person to take such actions as the court may consider
necessary.
(6) When a witness gives evidence behind a screen or in another
room, the accused, his or her legal representative, the
prosecutor in the case and the presiding officer shall be
able to hear the witness and shall also be able to observe
the witness while such witness gives evidence.
(7) When a court is considering whether an order under this
section should be made, it shall also consider the following
matters (a) the interest of the state in adducing the complete and
undistorted evidence of a vulnerable witness concerned;
(b) the interests and well-being of the witness concerned;
(c) the availability of necessary equipment and locations;
(d) the interests of justice in general.
Section 158A inserted by Act No. 24, 2003 Criminal Procedure
Amendment Act, 2003
159. Circumstances in which criminal proceedings may take place in
absence of accused.
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(l)
(2)
(3)
If an accused at criminal proceedings conducts himself in

a manner which makes the continuance of the proceedings in
his presence impracticable, the court may direct that he be
removed and that the proceedings continue in his absence.
If two or more accused appear jointly at criminal proceedings
and(a) the court is at any time after the commencement of the
proceedings satisfied, upon application made to it by any
accused in person or by his representative(i) that the physical condition of that accused is such
that he is unable to attend the proceedings or that
it is undesirable that he should attend the
proceedings; or
(ii) that circumstances relating to the illness or death
of a member of the family of that accused make his
absence from the proceedings necessary; or
(b) any of the accused is absent from the proceedings,
whether under the provisions of subsection (1) or without
leave of the court,
the court, if it is of the Opinion that the proceedings
cannot be postponed without undue prejudice, embarrassment or
inconvenience to the prosecution or any co-accused or any
witness in attendance or subpoenaed to attend, may(aa) in the case of paragraph (a), authorize the absence of
the accused concerned from the proceedings for a
period determined by the court and on the conditions which the court may deem fit to impose; and
(bb) direct that the proceedings be proceeded with in the
absence of the accused concerned.
Where an accused becomes absent from the proceedings in the
circumstances referred to in subsection (2), the court may,
in lieu of directing that the proceedings be proceeded with
in the absence of the accused concerned, upon the application
of the prosecution direct that the proceedings in respect of
the absent accused be separated from the proceedings in
respect of the accused who are present, and thereafter, when
such accused is again in attendance, the proceedings against
him shall continue from the stage at which he became absent,
and the court shall not be required to be differently
constituted merely by reason of such separation.
160. Procedure at criminal proceedings where accused is absent.(l) If an accused referred to in section 159 (1) or (2) again
attends the proceedings in question, he may, unless he was
legally represented during his absence, examine any witness
who testified during his absence, and inspect the record of
the proceedings or require the court to have such record read
over to him.
(2) If the examination of a witness under subsection (1) takes
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(3)
place after the evidence on behalf of the prosecution or any

co-accused has been concluded, the prosecution or such coaccused may in respect of any issue raised by the
examination, lead evidence in rebuttal of evidence relating
to the issue so raised.
(a) When the evidence on behalf of all the accused, other
than an accused who is absent from the proceedings, is
concluded, the court shall, subject to the provisions of
paragraph (b), postpone the proceedings until such absent
accused is in attendance and, if necessary, further
postpone the proceedings until the evidence, if any, on
behalf of that accused has been led.
(b) If it appears to the court that the presence of an absent
accused cannot reasonably be obtained, the court may
direct that the proceedings in respect of the accused who
are present be concluded as if such proceedings had been
separated from the proceedings at the stage at which the
accused concerned became absent from the proceedings, and
when such absent accused is again in attendance, the
proceedings against him shall continue from the stage at
which he became absent, and the court shall not be
required to be differently constituted merely by reason
of such separation.
(c) When, in the case of a trial, the evidence on behalf of
all the accused has been concluded and any accused is
absent when the verdict is to be delivered, the verdict
may be delivered in respect of all the accused or be
withheld until all the accused are present or be
delivered in respect of any accused present and withheld
in respect of the absent accused until he is again in
attendance.
161. Witness to testify viva voce.

(l) A witness at criminal proceedings shall, except where this
Act or any other law expressly provides otherwise, give his
evidence viva voce.
(2) In this section the expression "viva voce" shall, in the case
of a deaf and dumb witness, be deemed to include gesturelanguage.
162. Witness to be examined under oath.(l) Subject to the provisions of sections 163 and 164, no person
shall be examined as a witness in criminal proceedings unless
he is under oath, which shall be administered by the
presiding judicial officer or, in the case of a superior
court, by the presiding judge or the registrar of the court,
and which shall be in the following form
"I swear that the evidence that I shall give, shall be
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so
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(2)
help me God."
If any person to whom the oath is administered wishes to take
the oath with uplifted hand, he shall be permitted to do so.
163. Affirmation in lieu of oath.(1) Any person who is or may be required to take the oath and(a) who objects to taking the oath;
(b) who objects to taking the oath in the prescribed form;
(c) who does not consider the oath in the prescribed form to
be binding on his conscience; or
(d) who informs the presiding judge or, as the case may be,
the presiding judicial officer, that he has no religious
belief or that the taking of the oath is contrary to his
religious belief,
shall make an affirmation in the following words in lieu of
the oath and at the direction of the presiding judicial
officer or, in the case of a superior court, the presiding
judge or the registrar of the court:"I solemnly affirm that the evidence that I shall give,
shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth.".
(2) Such affirmation shall have the same legal force and effect
as if the person making it had taken the oath.
(3) The validity of an oath duly taken by a witness shall not be
affected if such witness does not on any of the grounds
referred to in subsection (1) decline to take the oath.
164. When unsworn or unaffirmed evidence admissible.
(1) Any person (a) who, from ignorance arising from defective education
or other cause, is found not to understand the nature
and import of the oath or the affirmation, may be
admitted to give evidence in criminal proceedings
without taking the oath or making the
affirmation; and
(b) who is younger than 14 years shall be admitted to give
evidence in criminal proceedings without taking the
oath or making the affirmation: Provided that such
person shall in lieu of the oath or affirmation be
admonished by the presiding judge or judicial officer
to speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth..
Section 164(1) as substituted by Criminal Procedure Amendment Act
24 of 2003
(2)
1995
If such person wilfully and falsely states anything which, if

sworn, would have amounted to the offence of perjury or any
statutory offence punishable as perjury, he shall be deemed
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(3)
(4)
to have committed that offence,

and
shall,
upon
conviction, be liable to such punishment as is by law
provided as a punishment for that offence.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act or any
other law contained, the evidence of any witness required to
be admonished in terms of the proviso to subsection (1)
shall be received unless it appears to the presiding judge
or judicial officer that such witness is incapable of giving
intelligible testimony.
A court shall not regard the evidence of a child as
inherently unreliable and shall therefore not treat such
evidence with special caution only because that witness is a
child.
Subsections 164(3) and (4) added by Criminal Procedure Amendment

Act 24 of 2003
165. Oath, affirmation or admonition may be administered by or
through an interpreter.Where the person concerned is to give his evidence through an
interpreter, the oath, affirmation or admonition under section 162,
163 or 164 shall be administered by the presiding judge or judicial
officer or the registrar of the court, as the case may be, through
the interpreter or by the interpreter in the presence of the
presiding judge or judicial officer, as the case may be.
166. Cross-examination and re-examination of witnesses.
(1) An accused may cross-examine any witness called on behalf of
the prosecution at criminal proceedings or any co-accused who
testifies at criminal proceedings or any witness called on
behalf of such co-accused at criminal proceedings, and the
prosecutor may cross-examine any witness, including an
accused, called on behalf of the defence at criminal
proceedings, and a witness called at such proceedings on
behalf of the prosecution may be re-examined by the prosecutor on any matter raised during the cross-examination of
that witness, and a witness called on behalf of the defence
at such proceedings may likewise be re-examined by the
accused.
(2) The prosecutor and the accused may, with leave of the court,
examine or
cross-examine any witness called by the court
at criminal proceedings.
(3) (a) If it appears to the court that any cross-examination
contemplated in this section is being protracted
unreasonably and thereby causing the proceedings to be
delayed unreasonably, the court may request the crossexaminer to disclose the relevance of any line of
examination and may impose reasonable limits on that
cross-examination regarding the length thereof or
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(4)
(5)
(6)
regarding any
particular line of examination.
(b) The court may order that any submission regarding the
relevancy of the cross-examination be heard in the
absence of the witness.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) or
anything to the contrary in any other law contained but
subject to subsection (5), the cross-examination of any
witness under the age of thirteen years shall take place
only through the presiding judge or judicial officer, who
shall either restate the questions put to such
witness or, in his or her discretion, simplify or rephrase
such questions.
The court may allow the cross-examination of a witness
referred to in subsection (3) to occur through a person
other than the presiding officer if(a) that person has the qualifications determined by the
Minister by notice in the Gazette; and
(b) that person is immediately available when the witness
concerned gives evidence.
If the person referred to in subsection (5) is not in the
full time employ of the state, the relevant provision of
section 191 shall apply to that person as if he or she
is giving evidence for the party for which the witness
concerned gives evidence..
Subsections (3)-(6) added by Act No. 24, 2003 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

AMENDMENT ACT, 2003
167. Court may examine witness or person in attendance.The court may at any stage of criminal proceedings examine any
person, other than an accused, who has been subpoenaed to attend
such proceedings or who is in attendance at such proceedings, and
may recall and re-examine any person, including an accused, already
examined at the proceedings, and the court shall examine, or recall
and re-examine, the person concerned if his evidence appears to the
court essential to the just decision of the case.
168. Court may adjourn proceedings to any date.A court before which criminal proceedings are pending, may from
time to time during such proceedings, if the court deems it
necessary or expedient, adjourn the proceedings to any date on the
terms which to the court may seem proper and which are not
inconsistent with any provision of this Act.
169. Court may adjourn proceedings to any place.A court before which criminal proceedings are pending, may from
time to time during such proceedings, if the court deems it
necessary or expedient that the proceedings be continued at any
place within its area of jurisdiction other than the one where the
court is sitting, adjourn the proceedings to such other place, or,
if the court with reference to any circumstance relevant to the
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proceedings deems it necessary or

expedient
that
the
proceedings be adjourn to a place other than the place at which
the court is sitting, adjourn the proceedings, in the terms which
to the court may seem proper, to any such place, whether within or
outside the area of jurisdiction of such court, for the purpose of
performing at such place any function of the court relevant to such
circumstance.
170. Failure of accused to appear after adjournment.(l) An accused at criminal proceedings who is not in custody and
who has not been released on bail, and who fails to appear
at the place and on the date and at the time to which such
proceedings may be adjourned or who fails to remain in
attendance at such proceedings as so adjourned, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to the punishment prescribed
(2) The court may, if satisfied that accused referred to in
subsection (1) has failed to appear at the place and on the
date and at the time to which the proceedings in question
were adjourned or has failed to remain in attendance at such
proceedings as so adjourned, issue a warrant for his arrest
and, when he is brought before the court, in a summary manner
enquire into his failure so to appear or so to remain in
attendance and, unless the accused satisfies the court that
his failure was not due to fault on his part, convict him of
the offence referred to in subsection (1) and sentence him to
a fine not exceeding one hundred rand or to imprisonment for
a period not exceeding three months.
171. Evidence on commission.(l) (a) Whenever criminal proceedings are pending
before any court and it appears to such court on
application made to it that the examination of any
witness who is resident in Namibia is necessary in
the interests of justice and that the attendance of
such witness cannot be obtained without undue
delay, expense or inconvenience, the court may
dispense with such attendance and issue a
commission to any magistrate.
Section 171(1)(a) as amended by Section 35 of the International CoOperation in Criminal Matters Act 9 of 2000
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(2)
(b) The specific matter with

regard
to
which
the
evidence of the witness is required, shall be set out in
the relevant application, and the court may confine the
examination of the witness to such matter.
(c) Where the application is made by the State, the court
may, as a condition of the commission, direct that the
costs of legal representation for the accused at the
examination be paid by the State.
(a) The magistrate to whom the commission is issued, shall
proceed to the place where the witness is or shall summon
the witness before him or her, and take down the evidence
in the manner set out in paragraph (b).
(b) The witness shall give his or her evidence upon oath or
by affirmation, and such evidence shall be recorded and
read over to the witness, and if he or she adheres
thereto, be subscribed by him or her and the magistrate
or other person concerned.
(c) .
Section 171(2)(a) and (b) as amended and subsection (3) deleted by

Section 35 of the International Co-Operation in Criminal Matters
Act 9 of 2000
172. Parties may examine witness.Any party to proceedings in which a commission is issued under
section 171, may(a) transmit interrogatories in writing which the court issuing
the commission may think relevant to the issue, and the
magistrate to whom the commission is issued, shall examine
the witness upon such interrogatories; or
(b) appear
before
such
magistrate,
either
by
a
legal
representative or, in the case of an accused who is not in
custody or in the case of a private prosecutor, in person,
and examine the witness.
Section 172(a) and (b) as amended by Section 35 of
International Co-Operation in Criminal Matters Act 9 of 2000
the
173. Evidence on commission part of court record.The magistrate shall return the evidence in question to the court
which issued the commission, and such evidence shall be open to the
inspection of the parties to the proceedings and shall, in so far
as it is admissible as evidence in such proceedings, form part of
the record of such court.
Section 173 as amended by Section 35 of the International CoOperation in Criminal Matters Act 9 of 2000
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174. Accused may be discharged at

close
of
case
for
prosecution.If, at the close of the case for the prosecution at any trial, the
court is of the opinion that there is no evidence that the accused
committed the offence referred to in the charge or any offence of
which he may be convicted on the charge, it may return a verdict of
not guilty.
175. Prosecution and defence may address court at conclusion of
evidence.(1) After all the evidence has been adduced, the prosecutor may
address the court, and thereafter the accused may address the
court.
(2) The prosecutor may reply on any matter of law raised by the
accused in his address, and may, with leave of the court,
reply on any matter of fact raised by the accused in his
address.
176. Judgment may be corrected.When by mistake a wrong judgment is delivered, the court may,
before or immediately after it is recorded, amend the judgment.
177. Court may defer final decision.The court may at criminal proceedings defer its reasons for any
decision on any question raised at such proceedings, and the
reasons so deferred shall, when given, be deemed to have been given
at the time of the proceedings.
178. Arrest of person committing offence in court and removal from
court of person disturbing proceedings.(l) Where an offence is committed in the presence of the court,
the presiding judge or judicial officer may order the arrest
of the offender.
(2) If any person, other than an accused, who is present at
criminal proceedings, disturbs the peace or order of the
court, the court may order that such person be removed from
the court and that he be detained in custody until the rising
of the court.
CHAPTER 23
WITNESSES
179. Process for securing attendance of witness.
(1) (a) The prosecutor or an accused may compel the attendance of
any person to give evidence or to produce any book, paper
or document in criminal proceedings by taking out of the
office prescribed by the rules of court the process of
court for that purpose.
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(2)
(3)
(4)
(b) If any police official has

reasonable
grounds
for
believing that the attendance of any person is or will be
necessary to give evidence or to produce any book, paper
or document in criminal proceedings in a lower court, and
hands to such person a written notice calling upon him to
attend such criminal proceedings on the date and at the
time and place specified in the notice, to give evidence
or to produce any book, paper or document, likewise
specified, such person shall, for the purposes of this
Act, be deemed to have been duly subpoenaed so to attend
such criminal proceedings.
Where an accused desires to have any witness subpoenaed, a
sum of money sufficient to cover the costs of serving the
subpoena shall be deposited with the prescribed officer of
the court.
(a) Where an accused desires to have any witness subpoenaed
and he satisfies the prescribed officer of the court(i) that he is unable to pay the necessary costs and
fees; and
(ii) that such witness is necessary and material for his
defence,
such officer shall subpoena such witness.
(b) In any case where the prescribed officer of the court is
not so satisfied, he shall, upon the request of the
accused, refer the relevant application to the judge or
judicial officer presiding over the court, who may grant
or refuse the application or defer his decision until he
has heard other evidence in the case.
For the purposes of this section "prescribed officer of the
court" means the registrar, assistant registrar, clerk of the
court or any officer prescribed by the rules of court.
180. Service of subpoena.(l) A subpoena in criminal proceedings shall be served in the

manner provided by the rules of court by a person empowered
to serve a subpoena in criminal proceedings.
(2) A return by the person empowered to serve a subpoena in
criminal proceedings, that the service thereof has been duly
effected, may, upon the failure of a witness to attend the
relevant proceedings, be handed in at such proceedings and
shall be prima facie proof of such service.
181. Pre-payment of witness expenses.Where a subpoena is served on a witness at a place outside the
magisterial district from which the subpoena is issued, or, in the
case of a superior court, at a place outside the magisterial
district in which the proceedings at which the witness is to appear
are to take place, and the witness is required to travel from such
place to the court in question, the necessary expenses to travel to
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and from such court and of

sojourn
at
the
court
in
question, shall on demand be paid to such witness at the time of
service of the subpoena.
182. Witness from prison.A prisoner who is in a prison shall be subpoenaed as a witness on
behalf of the defence or a private prosecutor only if the court
before which the prisoner is to appear as a witness authorizes that
the prisoner be subpoenaed as a witness, and the court shall give
such authority only if it is satisfied that the evidence in
question is necessary and material for the defence or the private
prosecutor, as the case may be, and that the public safety or order
will not be endangered by the calling of the witness.
183. Witness to keep police informed of whereabouts.(l) Any person who is advised in writing by any police official
that he will be required as a witness in criminal
proceedings, shall, until such criminal proceedings have been
finally disposed of or until he is officially advised that he
will no longer be required as a witness, keep such police
official informed at all times of his full residential
address or any other address where he may conveniently be
found.
(2) Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of
subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and liable on
conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred rand or to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.
184. Witness about to abscond and witness evading service of
summons.(1) Whenever any person is likely to give material evidence in
criminal proceedings with reference to any offence, other
than an offence referred to in Part III of Schedule 2 or in
the Schedule to the Internal Security Act, 1950 (Act 44 of
1950), any magistrate, regional magistrate or judge of the
court before which the relevant proceedings are pending may,
upon Information in writing and on oath that such person is
about to abscond, issue a warrant for his arrest.
(2) If a person referred to in subsection (1) is arrested, the
magistrate, regional magistrate or judge, as the case may be,
may warn him to appear at the proceedings in question at a
stated place and at a stated time and on a stated date and
release him on any condition referred to in paragraph (a),
(h) or (e) of section 62, in which event the provisions of
subsections (1), (3) and (4) of section 66 shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to any such condition.
(3) (a) A person who fails to comply with a warning under
subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence and liable
to the punishment contemplated in paragraph (b) of this
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(4)
subsection.
(b) The provisions of section 170 (2) shall mutatis mutandis
apply with reference to any person who is guilty of an
offence under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
Whenever any person is likely to give material evidence in
criminal proceedings, any magistrate, regional magistrate or
judge of the court before which the relevant proceedings are
pending may, upon information in writing and on oath that
such person is evading service of the relevant subpoena,
issue a warrant for his arrest, whereupon the provisions of
subsections (2) and (3) shall mutatis mutandis apply with
reference to such person.
185. Detention of witness.(1) (a) Whenever any person is with reference to any offence
referred to in Part III of Schedule 2 in the opinion of
the attorney-general likely to give evidence on behalf of
the State at criminal proceedings in any court, and the
attorney-general, from information placed before him(i) is of the opinion that the personal safety of such
person is in danger or that he may abscond or that
he may be tampered with or that he may be intimidated; or
(ii) deems it to be in the interests of such person or of the
administration of justice that he be detained in
custody,
the attorney-general may by way of affidavit place such
information before a judge in chambers and apply to such
judge for an order that the person concerned be detained
pending the relevant proceedings.
(b) The attorney-general may in any case in which he is of
the opinion that the object of obtaining an order under
paragraph (a) may be defeated if the person concerned is
not detained without delay, order that such person be
detained forthwith but such order shall not endure for
longer than seventy-two hours unless the attorney-general
within that time by way of affidavit places before a
judge in chambers the information on which he ordered the
detention of the person concerned and such further
information as might become available to him, and applies
to such judge for an order that the person concerned be
detained pending the relevant proceedings.
(c) The attorney-general shall, as soon as he applies to a
judge under paragraph (b) for an order of detention, in
writing advise the person in charge of the place where
the person concerned is being detained, that he has so
applied for an order, and shall, where a judge under
subsection (2) (a) refuses to issue a warrant for the
detention of the person concerned, forthwith advise the
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person so in charge of such refusal, whereupon the

person so in charge shall without delay release the
person detained.
(2)
(a) The judge hearing the application under subsection (1)

may, if it appears to him from the information placed
before him by the attorney-general(i) that there is a danger that the personal safety of
the person concerned may be threatened or that he
may abscond or that he may be tampered with or that
he may be intimidated; or
(ii) that it would be in the interests of the person
concerned or of the administration of justice that
he be detained in custody,
issue a warrant for the detention of such person.
(b) The decision of a judge under paragraph (a) shall be
final: Provided that where a judge refuses an application
and further information becomes available to the
attorney-general concerning the person in respect of whom
the application was refused, the attorney-general may
again apply under subsection (1) (a) for the detention of
that person.
(3) A person in respect of whom a warrant is issued under
subsection (2), shall be taken to the place mentioned in the
warrant and, in accordance with regulations which the
Minister is hereby authorized to make, be detained there or
at any other place determined by any judge from time to time,
or, where the person concerned is detained in terms of an
order by the attorney-general under subsection (1) (b), such
person shall, pending the decision of the judge under
subsection (2) (a), be taken to a place determined by the
attorney-general and detained there in accordance with the
said regulations.
(4) Any person detained under a warrant in terms of subsection
(2) shall be detained for the period terminating on the day
on which the criminal proceedings concerned are concluded,
unless(a) the attorney-general orders that he be released earlier;
or
(b)
such proceedings have not commenced within six months
from the date on which he is so detained, in which case
he shall be released after the expiration of such period.
(5) No person, other than an officer in the service of the State
acting in the performance of his official duties, shall have
access to a person detained under subsection (2), except with
the consent of and subject to the conditions determined by
the attorney-general or an officer in the service of the
State delegated by him.
(6) Any person detained under subsection (2) shall be visited in
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(7)
(8)
(9)
private
at
least
once
during each week by a magistrate
of the district or area in which he is detained.
For the purposes of section 191 any person detained under
subsection (2) of this section shall be deemed to have
attended the criminal proceedings in question as a witness
for the State during the whole of the period of his
detention.
No court shall have jurisdiction to order the release from
custody of any person detained under subsection (2) or to
pronounce upon the validity of any regulation made under
subsection (3) or the refusal of the consent required under
subsection (5) or any condition referred to in subsection
(5).
(a) In this section the expression "judge in chambers" means
a judge sitting behind closed doors when hearing the
relevant application.
(b) No information relating to the proceedings under
subsection (1) or (2) shall be published or be made
public in any manner whatever.
186. Court may subpoena witness.The court may at any stage of criminal proceedings
cause to be subpoenaed any person as a witness at such
and the court shall so subpoena a witness or so cause
be subpoenaed if the evidence of such witness appears
essential to the just decision of the case.
subpoena or
proceedings,
a witness to
to the court
187. Witness to attend proceedings and to remain in attendance.A witness who is subpoenaed to attend criminal proceedings, shall
attend the proceedings and remain in attendance at the proceedings,
and a person who is in attendance at criminal proceedings, though
not subpoenaed as a witness, and who is warned by the court to
remain in attendance at the proceedings, shall remain in attendance
at the proceedings, unless such witness or such person is excused
by the court: Provided that the court may, at any time during the
proceedings in question, order that any person, other than the
accused, who is to be called as a witness, shall leave the court
and remain absent from the proceedings until he is called, and that
he shall remain in court after he has given evidence.
188. Failure by witness to attend or to remain in attendance.
(1) Any person who is subpoenaed to attend criminal proceedings
and who fails to attend or to remain in attendance at such
proceedings, and any person who is warned by the court to
remain in attendance at criminal proceedings and who fails to
remain in attendance at such proceedings, and any person so
subpoena
or so warned who fails to appear at the place and
on the date and at the time to which
the proceedings in
question may be adjourned or who fails to remain in
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attendance
at
such proceedings as so adjourned,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable to the punishment
contemplated in subsection (2).
(2)
The provisions of section 170 (2) shall mutatis mutandis

apply with reference to any person referred to in subsection
(1).
189. Powers of court with regard to recalcitrant witness.(1) If any person present at criminal proceedings is required to
give evidence at such proceedings and refuses to be sworn or
to make an affirmation as a witness, or, having been sworn or
having made an affirmation as a witness, refuses to answer
any question put to him or refuses or fails to produce any
book, paper or document required to be produced by him, the
court may in a summary manner enquire into such refusal or
failure and, unless the person so refusing or failing has a
just excuse for his refusal or failure, sentence him to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or, where
the criminal proceedings in question relate to an offence
referred to in Part III of Schedule 2 or in the Schedule to
the Internal Security Act, 1950 (Act 44 of 1950), to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.
(2) After the expiration of any sentence imposed under subsection
(1), the person concerned may from time to time again be
dealt with under that subsection with regard to any further
refusal or failure.
(3) A court may at any time on good cause shown remit any
punishment or part thereof imposed by it under subsection
(1).
(4) Any sentence imposed by any court under subsection (1) shall
be executed and be subject to appeal in the same manner as a
sentence imposed in any criminal case by such court, and
shall be served before any other sentence of imprisonment
imposed on the person concerned.
(5) The court may, notwithstanding any action taken under this
section, at any time conclude the criminal proceedings
referred to in subsection (1).
(6) No person shall be bound to produce any book, paper or
document not specified in any subpoena served upon him,
unless he has such book, paper or document in court.
(7) Any lower court shall have jurisdiction to sentence any
person to the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed by
this section.
190. Impeachment or support of credibility of witness.-
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(l)
(2)
Any party may in criminal

proceedings impeach or support
the credibility of any witness called against or on behalf of
such party in any manner in which and by any evidence by
which the credibility of such witness might on the thirtieth
day of May, 1961, have been impeached or supported by such
party.
Any such party who has called a witness who has given
evidence in any such proceedings (whether that witness is or
is not, in the opinion of the court, adverse to the party
calling him), may, after such party or the court has asked
the witness whether he did or did not previously make a
statement with which his evidence in the said proceedings is
inconsistent, and after sufficient particulars of the alleged
previous statement to designate the occasion when it was made
have been given to the witness, prove that he previously made
a statement with which such evidence is inconsistent.
191. Payment of expenses of witness.(l) Any person who attends criminal proceedings as a witness for
the State shall be entitled to such allowance as may be
prescribed under subsection (3): Provided that the judicial
officer or the judge presiding at such proceedings may, if he
thinks fit, direct that no such allowance or that only a part
of such allowance shall be paid to any such witness.
(2) Subject to any regulation made under subsection (3), the
judicial officer or the judge presiding at criminal
proceedings may, if he thinks fit, direct that any person who
has attended such proceedings as a witness for the accused,
shall be paid such allowance as may be prescribed by such
regulation, or such lesser allowance as such judicial officer
or such judge may determine.
(3) The Minister may, in consultation with the Minister of
Finance, by regulation prescribe a tariff of allowances which
may be paid out of public moneys to witnesses in criminal
proceedings, and may by regulation prescribe different
tariffs for witnesses according to their several callings,
occupations or stations in life, and according also to the
distances to be travelled by such witnesses to reach the
place where the proceedings in question are to take place,
and may by regulation further prescribe the circumstances in
which such allowances may be paid to any witness for an
accused.
(4) The Minister may under subsection (3) empower any officer in
the service of the State to authorize, in any case in which
the payment of an allowance in accordance with the tariff
prescribed may cause undue hardship or in the case of any
person resident outside the Republic, the payment of an
allowance in accordance with a higher tariff than the tariff
prescribed.
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(5)
For the purposes of this section "witness" shall include

any person necessarily required to accompany any witness on
account of his youth, old age or infirmity.
192. Every witness competent and compellable unless expressly

excluded.Every person not expressly excluded by this Act from giving
evidence shall, subject to the pro-visions of section 206, be
competent and compellable to give evidence in criminal proceedings.
193. Court to decide upon competency of witness.The court in which criminal proceedings are conducted shall decide
any question concerning the competency or compellability of any
witness to give evidence.
194. Incompetency due to state of mind.No person appearing or proved to be afflicted with mental illness
or to be labouring under any imbecility of mind due to intoxication
or drugs or the like, and who is thereby deprived of the proper use
of his reason, shall be competent to give evidence while so
afflicted or disabled.
195. Evidence for prosecution by husband or wife of accused.(1) The wife or husband of an accused shall not be competent to
give evidence for the prosecution in criminal proceedings,
but shall be competent and compellable to give evidence for
the prosecution at such proceedings where the accused is
charged with(a) any offence committed against the person of either of
them or of a child of either of them;
(b) any offence under Chapter III of the Children's Act, 1960
(Act 33 of 1960), committed in respect of any child of
either of them;
(c) any contravention of any provision of Part VIII of the
Maintenance Act, 2003, or of such provision as applied
by any other law;
Paragraph (c) amended by the Maintenance Act 9 of 2003
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1995
bigamy;
incest;
abduction;
any contravention of any provision of section 2, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 12A, 13, 17 or 20 of the Immorality Act, 1957
(Act 23 of 1957), or, in the case of the territory, of
any provision of section 3 or 4 of the Girls' and
Mentally Defective Women's Protection Proclamation, 1921
(Proclamation 28 of 1921), or of section 3 of the
Immorality Proclamation, 1934 (Proclamation 19 of 1934);
perjury committed in connection with or for the purpose
of any judicial proceedings instituted or to be
108
109
instituted
or
contemplated by the one of them
against the other, or in connection with or for the
purpose of criminal proceedings in respect of any offence
included in this subsection;
(i)
the statutory offence of making a false statement in any
affidavit or any affirmed, solemn or attested declaration
if it is made in connection with or for the purpose of
any such proceedings as are mentioned in paragraph (h),
and shall be competent but not compellable to give evidence
for the prosecution in criminal proceedings where the accused
is charged with any offence against the separate property of
the wife or of the husband of the accused or with any offence
under section 16 of the said Immorality Act, 1957, or, in the
case of the territory, section 1 or 2 of the said Immorality
Proclamation, 1934.
(2) Anything to the contrary in this Act or any other law
notwithstanding, any person married in accordance with Bantu
law or custom shall, notwithstanding the registration or
other recognition under any law of such a union as a valid
and binding marriage for the purposes of the law of evidence
in criminal proceedings, be deemed to be an unmarried person.
196. Evidence of accused and husband or wife on behalf of
accused.(1) An accused and the wife or husband of an accused shall be a
competent witness for the defence at every stage of criminal
proceedings, whether or not the accused is charged jointly
with any other person: Provided that(a) an accused shall not be called as a witness except upon
his own application;
(b) the wife or husband of an accused shall not be called as
a witness for the defence except upon the application of
the accused.
(2) The evidence which an accused may, upon his own application,
give in his own defence at joint criminal proceedings, shall
not be inadmissible against a co-accused at such proceedings
by reason only that such accused is for any reason not a
competent witness for the prosecution against such coaccused.
(3) An accused may not make an unsworn statement at his trial in
lieu of evidence but shall, if he wishes to give evidence, do
so on oath or, as the case may be, by affirmation.
197. Privileges of accused when giving evidence.An accused who gives evidence at criminal proceedings shall not be
asked or required to answer any question tending to show that he
has committed or has been convicted of or has been charged with any
offence other than the offence with which he is charged, or that he
is of bad character, unless-
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(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
he
or
his
legal
representative asks any question
of any witness with a view to establishing his own good
character or he himself gives evidence of his own good
character, or the nature or conduct of the defence is such as
to involve imputation of the character of the complainant or
any other witness for the prosecution;
he gives evidence against any other person charged with the
same offence or an offence in respect of the same facts;
the proceedings against him are such as are described in
section 240 or 241 and the notice under those sections has
been given to him; or
the proof that he has committed or has been convicted of such
other offence is admissible evidence to show that he is
guilty of the offence with which he is charged.
198. Privilege arising out of marital state.(1) A husband shall not at criminal proceedings be compelled to
disclose any communication which his wife made to him during
the marriage, and a wife shall not at criminal proceedings be
compelled to disclose any communication which her husband
made to her during the marriage.
(2) A person whose marriage has been dissolved or annulled by a
competent court, shall not at criminal proceedings be
compelled to give evidence as to any fact, matter or thing
which occurred during the subsistence of the marriage or
putative marriage, and as to which such person could not have
been compelled to give evidence if the marriage was
subsisting.
199. No witness compelled to answer question which the witness's
husband or wife may decline.No person shall at criminal proceedings be compelled to answer any
question or to give any evidence, if the question or evidence is
such that under the circumstances the husband or wife of such
person, if under examination as a witness, may lawfully refuse and
cannot be compelled to answer or to give it
200. Witness not excused from answer establishing civil liability
on his partA witness in criminal proceedings may not refuse to answer any
question relevant to the issue by reason only that the answer
establishes or may establish a civil liability on his part.
201. Privilege of legal practitioner.No legal practitioner qualified to practise in any court, whether
within the Republic or elsewhere, shall be competent, without the
consent of the person concerned, to give evidence at criminal
proceedings against any person by whom he is professionally
employed or consulted as to any fact, matter or thing with regard
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111
to which such practitioner would not on the thirtieth day of May,

1961, by reason of such employment or consultation, have been
competent to give evidence without such consent: Provided that such
legal practitioner shall be competent and compellable to give
evidence as to any fact, matter or thing which relates to or is
connected with the commission of any offence with which the person
by whom such legal practitioner is professionally employed or
consulted, is charged, if such fact, matter or thing came to the
knowledge of such legal practitioner before he was professionally
employed or consulted with reference to the defence of the person
concerned.
202. Privilege from disclosure on ground of public policy or
public interestExcept as is in this Act provided and subject to the provisions of
any other law, no witness in criminal proceedings shall be
compellable or permitted to give evidence as to any fact, matter or
thing or as to any communication made to or by such witness, if
such witness would on the thirtieth day of May, 1961, not have been
compellable or permitted to give evidence with regard to such fact,
matter or thing or communication by reason that it should not, on
the grounds of public policy or from regard to public interest, be
disclosed, and that it is privileged from disclosure: Provided that
any person may in criminal proceedings adduce evidence of any
communication alleging the commission of an offence, if the making
of that communication prima facie constitutes an offence, and the
judge or judicial officer presiding at such proceedings may
determine whether the making of such communication prima facie does
or does not constitute an offence, and such determination shall,
for the purpose of such proceedings, be final.
203. Witness excused from answering incriminating question.No witness in criminal proceedings shall, except as provided by
this Act or any other law, be compelled to answer any question
which he would not on the thirtieth day of May, 1961, have been
compelled to answer by reason that the answer may expose him to a
criminal charge.
204. IncrimInating evidence by witness for prosecution.(l) Whenever the prosecutor at criminal proceedings informs the
court that any person called as a witness on behalf of the
prosecution will be required by the prosecution to answer
questions which may incriminate such witness with regard to
an offence specified by the prosecutor(a) the court, if satisfied that such witness is otherwise a
competent witness for the prosecution, shall inform such
witness(i)
that he is obliged to give evidence at the
proceedings in question;
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112
(ii)
(2)
(3)
(4)
1995
that
questions may be put to him
which may incriminate him with regard to the
offence specified by the prosecutor;
(iii)
that he will be obliged to answer any question
put to him, whether by the prosecution, the
accused or the court, notwithstanding that the
answer may incriminate him with regard to the
offence so specified or with regard to any
offence in respect of which a verdict of
guilty would be competent upon a charge
relating to the offence so specified;
(iv)
that if he answers frankly and honestly all
questions put to him, he shall be discharged
from prosecution with regard to the offence so
specified and with regard to any offence in
respect of which a verdict of guilty would be
competent upon a charge relating to the
offence so specified; and
(b) such witness shall thereupon give evidence and answer any
question put to him, whether by the prosecution, the
accused or the court, notwithstanding that the reply
thereto may incriminate him with regard to the offence so
specified by the prosecutor or with regard to any offence
in respect of which a verdict of guilty would be
competent upon a charge relating to the offence so
specified.
If a witness referred to in subsection (1), in the opinion of
the court, answers frankly and honestly all questions put to
him(a) such witness shall, subject to the provisions of
subsection (3), be discharged from prosecution for the
offence so specified by the prosecutor and for any
offence in respect of which a verdict of guilty would be
competent upon a charge relating to the offence so
specified; and
(b) the court shall cause such discharge to be entered on the
record of the proceedings in question.
The discharge referred to in subsection (2) shall be of no
legal force or effect if it is given at preparatory
examination proceedings and the witness concerned does not at
any trial arising out of such preparatory examination,
answer, in the opinion of the court, frankly and honestly all
questions put to him at such trial, whether by the prosecution, the accused or the court.
(a) Where a witness gives evidence under this section and is
not discharged from prosecution in respect of the offence
in question, such evidence shall not be admissible in
evidence against him at any trial in respect of such
offence or any offence in respect of which a verdict of
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113
guilty is competent upon a charge relating to such

offence.
(b) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply with
reference to a witness who is prosecuted for perjury
arising from the giving of the evidence in question, or
for a contravention of section 319 (3) of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1955 (Act 56 of 1955), or, in the case of
the territory, for a contravention of section 300 (3) of
the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, 1963 (Ordinance 34 of
1963), arising likewise.
205. Magistrate may take evidence as to alleged offence.(1) A magistrate may, upon the request of a public prosecutor,
require the attendance before him or any other magistrate,
for examination by the public prosecutor, of any person who
is likely to give material or relevant information as to any
alleged offence, whether or not it is known by whom the
offence was committed.
(2) The provisions of sections 162 to 165 inclusive, 179 to 181
inclusive, 187 to 189 inclusive, 191 and 204 shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to the proceedings under
subsection (1).
(3) The examination of any person under subsection (1) may be
conducted in private at any place designated by the
magistrate.
206. The law in cases not provided for.The law as to the competency, compellability or privilege of
witnesses which was in force in respect of criminal proceedings on
the thirtieth day of May, 1961, shall apply in any case not
expressly provided for by this Act or any other law.
207. Saving of special provisions in other laws.No provision of this Chapter shall be construed as modifying any
provision of any other law whereby in any criminal proceedings
referred to in such law a person is deemed a competent witness.
CHAPTER 24
EVIDENCE
208. Conviction may follow on evidence of single witness.An accused may be convicted of any offence on the single evidence
of any competent witness.
209. Conviction may follow on confession by accused.An accused may be convicted of any offence on the single evidence
of a confession by such accused that he committed the offence in
question, if such confession is confirmed in a material respect or,
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114
where the confession is not so confirmed, if the offence is

proved by evidence, other than such confession, to have been
actually committed.
210. Irrelevant evidence inadmissible.No evidence as to any fact, matter or thing shall be admissible
which is irrelevant or immaterial and which cannot conduce to prove
or disprove any point or fact at issue in criminal proceedings.
211. Evidence
during
criminal
proceedings
of
previous
convictions.Except where otherwise expressly provided by this Act or except
where the fact of a previous conviction is an element of any
offence with which an accused is charged, evidence shall not be
admissible at criminal proceedings in respect of any offence to
prove that an accused at such proceedings had previously been
convicted of any offence, whether in the Republic or elsewhere, and
no accused, if called as a witness, shall be asked whether he has
been so convicted.
Evidence during criminal proceedings of similar offences by
accused
211A (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection 2, in criminal
Proceedings at which an accused is charged with rape or
an offence of an indecent nature, evidence of the commission
of other similar offences by the accused shall, on
application made to it, be admitted by the court at such
proceedings and may be considered on any matter to which it
is relevant: Provided that such evidence shall only be so
admitted if it has significant probative value that is not
substantially outweighed by its potential for unfair
prejudice to the accused.
(2) Evidence of previous similar offences by an accused shall
not be admissible solely to prove the character of the
accused:
(3) The courts reasons for its decision to admit or refuse to
admit evidence of previous similar offences shall be
recorded, and shall form part of the record of the
proceedings.
Section 211A as inserted by Section 18 of the Combating of Rape act
8 of 2000
212. Proof of certain facts by affidavit or certificate.(1) Whenever in criminal proceedings the question arises whether
any particular act, transaction or occurrence did or did not
take place in any particular department or sub-department of
the State or of a provincial administration or in any branch
or office of such department or sub-department or in any
1995
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115
particular court of law or in any particular bank, or the

question arises in such proceedings whether any particular
functionary in any such department, sub-department, branch or
office did or did not perform any particular act or did or
did not take part in any particular transaction, a document
purporting to be an affidavit made by a person who in that
affidavit alleges(a) that he is in the service of the State or a provincial
administration or of the bank in question, and that he is
employed in the particular department or sub-department
or the particular branch or office thereof or in the
particular court or bank;
(b)
that(i) if the act, transaction or occurrence in question
had taken place in such department, sub-department,
branch or office or in such court or bank; or
(ii) if such functionary had performed such particular
act or bad taken part in such particular
transaction,
it would in the ordinary course of events have come to
his, the deponent's, knowledge and a record thereof,
available to him, would have been kept; and
(c) that it has not come to his knowledge(i) that such act, transaction or occurrence took
place; or
(ii) that such functionary performed such act or took
part in such transaction,
and that there is no record thereof,
shall, upon its mere production at such proceedings, be prima
facie proof that the act, transaction or occurrence in
question did not take place or, as the case may be, that the
functionary concerned did not perform the act in question or
did not take part in the transaction in question.
(2) Whenever in criminal proceedings the question arises whether
any person bearing a particular name did or did not furnish
any particular officer in the service of the State or of a
provincial administration with any particular information or
document, a document purporting to be an affidavit made by a
person who in that affidavit alleges that he is the said
officer and that no person bearing the said name furnished
him with such information or document, shall, upon its mere
production at such proceedings, be prima facie proof that the
said person did not furnish the said officer with any such
information or document.
(3) Whenever in criminal proceedings the question arises whether
any matter has been registered under any law or whether any
fact or transaction has been recorded thereunder or whether
anything connected therewith has been done thereunder, a
document purporting to be an affidavit made by a person who
1995
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116
(4)
(5)
1995
in that affidavit alleges that he is the person upon whom

the law in question confers the power or imposes the duty to
register such matter or to record such fact or transaction or
to do such thing connected therewith and that be has
registered the matter in question or that he has recorded the
fact or transaction in question or that he has done the thing
connected therewith or that he has satisfied himself that the
matter in question was registered or that the fact or
transaction in question was recorded or that the thing
connected therewith was done, shall, upon its mere production
at such proceedings, be prima facie proof that such matter
was registered or, as the case may be, that such fact or
transaction was recorded or that the thing connected therewith was done.
(a)
Whenever any fact established by any examination or
process requiring any skill in biology, chemistry,
physics, astronomy, geography, anatomy, any branch of
pathology or in toxicology or in the identification of
finger-prints or palm-prints, is or may become relevant
to the issue at criminal proceedings, a document
purporting to be an affidavit made by a person who in
that affidavit alleges that he is in the service of the
State or of a provincial administration or is in the
service of or is attached to the South African Institute
for Medical Research or any university in the Republic or
any other body designated by the State President for the
purposes of this subsection by proclamation in the
Gazette, and that he has established such fact by means
of such an examination or process, shall, upon its mere
production at such proceedings be prima facie proof of
such fact: Provided that the person who may make such
affidavit may, in any case in which skill is required in
chemistry, anatomy or pathology, issue a certificate in
lieu of such affidavit, in which event the provisions of
this paragraph shall mutatis mutandis apply with
reference to such certificate.
(b) Any person who issues a certificate under paragraph (a)
and who in such certificate wilfully states anything
which is false, shall be guilty of an offence and liable
on conviction to the punishment prescribed for the
offence of perjury.
Whenever the mass or value of precious metal or any precious
stone is or may become relevant to the issue in criminal
proceedings, a document purporting to be an affidavit made by
a person who in that affidavit alleges that he is an
appraiser of precious metals or precious stones; that he is
in the service of the State and that the mass or value of
such precious metal or such precious stone is as specified in
that affidavit, shall, upon its mere production at such
116
117
proceedings,
be
prima
facie proof that the mass or
value of such precious metal or such precious stone is as so
specified.
(6) In criminal proceedings in which the finding of or action
taken in connection with any particular finger-print or palmprint is relevant to the issue, a document purporting to be
an affidavit made by a person who in that affidavit alleges
that he is in the service of the State and that he in the
performance of his official duties(a)
found such finger-print or palm-print at or in the place
or on or in the article or in the position or
circumstances stated in the affidavit; or
(b)
dealt with such finger-print or palm-print in the manner
stated in the affidavit,
shall, upon the mere production thereof at such proceedings,
be prima face proof that such finger-print or palm-print was
so found or, as the case may be, was so dealt with.
(7) In criminal proceedings in which the physical condition or
the identity, in or at any hospital, nursing home, ambulance
or mortuary, of any deceased person or of any dead body is
relevant to the issue, a document purporting to be an
affidavit made by a person who in that affidavit alleges(a)
that he is employed at or in connection with the
hospital, nursing home, ambulance or mortuary in
question; and
(b)
that he during the performance of his official duties
observed the physical characteristics or condition of the
deceased person or of the dead body in question; and
(c)
that while the deceased person or the dead body in
question was under his care, such deceased person or such
dead body had or sustained the injuries or wounds
described in the affidavit, or sustained no injuries or
wounds; or
(d) that he pointed out or handed over the deceased person or
the dead body in question to a specified person or that
he left the deceased person or the dead body in question
in the care of a specified person or that the deceased
person or the dead body in question was pointed out or
handed over to him or left in his care by a specified
person,
shall, upon the mere production thereof at such proceedings,
be prima facie proof of the matter so alleged.
(7A) a)
Any document purporting to be a medical record prepared
By a medical practitioner who treated or observed a
person who is a victim of an offence with which the
accused in criminal proceedings is charged, is
admissible at that proceeding and prima facie proof
that the victim concerned suffered the injuries
recorded in that document.
1995
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(b)
(c)
The Minister may in

consultation with the Minister
responsible for Health, make regulations requiring
medical practitioners to record such information as may
be prescribed in such regulations, if he or she treats
a person that he or she has reason to suspect is the
victim of such crimes as may be prescribed in such
regulations.
Regulations contemplated in paragraph (b) may prescribe
the manner in which medical practitioners shall deal
with records produced in pursuance of the duties
imposed under paragraph (b) and may also impose duties
upon medical practitioners to make such
recordsavailable when he or she is aware of
investigations or criminal proceedings for which those
records may be relevant..
Subsection (7A) inserted by the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act

24 of 2003
(8)
1995
(a)
In criminal proceedings in which the receipt, custody,

packing, marking, delivery or despatch of any fingerprint or palm-print, article of clothing, specimen,
tissue (as defined in section 1 of the Anatomical
Donations and Post-Mortem Examinations Act, 1970 (Act 24
of 1970)), or any object of whatever nature is relevant
to the issue, a document purporting to be an affidavit
made by a person who in that affidavit alleges(i) that he is in the service of the State or is in the
service of or is attached to the South African
Institute for Medical Research, any university in
the Republic or any body designated by the State
President under subsection (4);
(ii) that he in the performance of his official duties(aa) received from any person, institute, State
department or body specified in the affidavit,
a finger-print or palm-print, article of
clothing, specimen, tissue or object described
in the affidavit, which was packed or marked
or, as the case may be, which he packed or
marked in the manner described in the
affidavit;
(bb) delivered or despatched to any person,
institute, State department or body specified
in the affidavit, a finger-print or palmprint, article of clothing, specimen, tissue
or object described in the affidavit, which
was packed or marked or, as the case may be,
which he packed or marked in the manner
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119
(9)
1995
described
in the affidavit;
(cc) during a period specified in the affidavit,
had a finger-print or palm-print, article of
clothing, specimen, tissue or object described
in the affidavit in his custody in the manner
described in the affidavit, which was packed
or marked in the manner described in the
affidavit,
shall, upon the mere production thereof at such
proceedings, be prima facie proof of the matter so
alleged: Provided that the person who may make such
affidavit in any case relating to any article of
clothing, specimen or tissue, may issue a certificate in
lieu of such affidavit, in which event the provisions of
this paragraph shall mutatis mutandis apply with
reference to such certificate.
(b) Any person who issues a certificate under paragraph (a)
and who in such certificate wilfully states anything
which is false, shall be guilty of an offence and liable
on conviction to the punishment prescribed for the
offence of perjury.
In criminal proceedings in which it is relevant to prove(a) the details of any consignment of goods delivered to the
Railways Administration for conveyance to a specified
consignee, a document purporting to be an affidavit made
by a person who in that affidavit alleges(i) that he consigned the goods set out in the
affidavit to a consignee specified in the
affidavit;
(ii) that, on a date specified in the affidavit, he delivered
such goods or caused such goods to be delivered to
the Railways Administration for conveyance to such
consignee, and that the consignment note referred
to in such affidavit relates to such goods,
shall, upon the mere production thereof at such
alleged; or
(b) that the goods referred to in paragraph (a) were received
by the Railways Administration for conveyance to a
specified consignee or that such goods were handled or
transhipped en route by the Railways Administration, a
document purporting to be an affidavit made by a person
who in that affidavit alleges(i) that he at all relevant times was in the service of
the Railways Administration in a stated capacity;
(ii) that he in the performance of his official duties
received or, as the case may be, handled or
transhipped
the
goods
referred
to
in
the
consignment note referred to in paragraph (a),
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120
(10) (a)
(b)
(11) (a)
(ii)
1995
shall, upon the mere

production
thereof
at
such
alleged.
The Minister may in respect of any measuring instrument
as defined in section 1 of the Trade Metrology Act, 1973
(Act 77 of 1973), by notice in the Gazette prescribe the
conditions and requirements which shall be complied with
before any reading by such measuring instrument may be
accepted in criminal proceedings as proof of the fact
which it purports to prove, and if the Minister has so
prescribed such conditions and requirements and upon
proof that such conditions and requirements have been
complied with in respect of any particular measuring
instrument, the measuring instrument in question shall,
for the purposes of proving the fact which it purports to
prove, be accepted at criminal proceedings as proving the
fact recorded by it, unless the contrary is proved.
An affidavit in which the deponent declares that the
conditions and requirements referred to in paragraph (a)
have been complied with in respect of the measuring
instrument in question shall, upon the mere production
thereof at the criminal proceedings in question, be prima
facie proof that such conditions and requirements have
been complied with.
The Minister may with reference to any syringe intended
for the drawing of blood or any receptacle intended for
the storing of blood, by notice in the Gazette prescribe
the conditions and requirements relating to the
cleanliness and sealing or manner of sealing thereof
which shall be complied with before any such syringe or
receptacle may be used in connection with the analysing
of the blood of any person for the purposes of criminal
proceedings, and if(i) any such syringe or receptacle is immediately
before being used for the said purpose, in a sealed
condition, or contained in a holder which is sealed
with a seal or in a manner prescribed by the
Minister; and
any such syringe, receptacle or holder hears an
endorsement that the conditions and requirements
prescribed by the Minister have been complied with
in respect of such syringe or receptacle,
proof at criminal proceedings that the seal, as thus
prescribed, of such syringe or receptacle was immediately
before the use of such syringe or receptacle for the said
purpose intact, shall be deemed to constitute prima facie
proof that the syringe or the receptacle in question was
then free from any substance or contamination which could
materially affect the result of the analysis in question.
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121
(b) An affidavit in which

the deponent declares that he
had satisfied himself before using the syringe or
receptacle in question(i) that the syringe or receptacle was sealed as
provided in paragraph (a) (i) and that the seal was
intact immediately before the syringe or receptacle
was used for the said purpose; and
(ii) that the syringe, receptacle or, as the case may be, the
holder contained the endorsement referred to in
paragraph (a) (ii),
shall, upon the mere production thereof at the
proceedings in question, be prima facie proof that the
syringe or receptacle was so sealed, that the seal was so
intact and that the syringe, receptacle or holder, as the
case may be, was so endorsed.
(c) Any person who for the purposes of this subsection makes
or causes to be made a false endorsement on any syringe,
receptacle or holder, knowing it to be false, shall be
guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to the
punishment prescribed for the offence of perjury.
(12) The court before which an affidavit or certificate is under
any of the preceding provisions of this section produced as
prima facie proof of the relevant contents thereof may in its
discretion cause the person who made the affidavit or issued
the certificate to be subpoenaed to give oral evidence in the
proceedings in question, or may cause written interrogatories
to be submitted to such person for reply, and such
interrogatories and any reply thereto purporting to be a
reply from such person, shall likewise be admissible in
evidence at such proceedings.
(13) No provision of this section shall affect any other law under
which any certificate or other document is admissible in
evidence, and the provisions of this section shall be deemed
to be additional to and not in substitution of any such law.
213. Proof of written statement by consent
(1) In criminal proceedings a written statement by any person,
other than an accused at such proceedings, shall, subject to
the provisions of subsection (2), be admissible as evidence
to the same extent as oral evidence to the same effect by
such person.
(2) (a) The statement shall purport to be signed by the person
who made it, and shall contain a declaration by such
person to the effect that it is true to the best of his
knowledge and belief and that he made the statement
knowing that, if it were tendered in evidence, he would
be liable to prosecution if he wilfully stated in it
anything which he knew to be false or which he did not
believe to be true.
1995
121
122
(3)
(4)
1995
(b) If the person who

makes the statement cannot read
it, it shall be read to him before he signs it, and an
endorsement shall be made thereon by the person who so
read the statement to the effect that it was so read.
(c) A copy of the statement, together with a copy of any
document referred to in the statement as an exhibit, or
with such information as may be necessary in order to
enable the party on whom it is served to inspect such
document or a copy thereof shall, before the date on
which the document is to be tendered in evidence, be
served on each of the other parties to the proceedings,
and any such party may, at least two days before the
commencement of the proceedings, object to the statement
being tendered in evidence under this section.
(d) If a party objects under paragraph (c) that the statement
in question be tendered in evidence, the statement shall
not, but subject to the provisions of paragraph (e), be
admissible as evidence under this section.
(e) If a party does not object under paragraph (c) or if the
parties agree before or during the proceedings in
question that the statement may be so tendered, the
statement may, upon the mere production thereof at such
proceedings, be admitted as evidence in the proceedings.
(f) When the documents referred to in paragraph (c) are
served on an accused, the documents shall be accompanied
by a written notification in which the accused is
informed that the statement in question will be tendered
in evidence at his trial in lieu of the State calling as
a witness the person who made the statement but that such
statement shall not without the consent of the accused be
so tendered in evidence if he notifies the prosecutor
concerned, at least two days before the commencement of
the proceedings, that he objects to the statement so
being tendered in evidence.
The parties to criminal proceedings may, before or during
such proceedings, agree that any written statement referred
to in subsections (2) (a) and (b) which has not been served
in terms of subsection (2) (c) be tendered in evidence at
such proceedings, whereupon such statement may, upon the mere
production thereof at such proceedings, be admitted as
evidence in the proceedings.
Notwithstanding that a written statement made by any person
may be admissible as evidence under this section(a) a party by whom or on whose behalf a copy of the
statement was served, may call such person to give oral
evidence;
(b) the court may, of its own motion, and shall, upon the
application of any party to the proceedings in question,
cause such person to be subpoenaed to give oral evidence
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123
(5)
(6)
before the court or

the court may, where the person
concerned is resident outside the Republic, issue a
commission in respect of such person in terms of section
171.
Any document or object referred to as an exhibit and
identified in a written statement tendered in evidence under
this section, shall be treated as if it had been produced as
an exhibit and identified in court by the person who made the
statement.
Any person who makes a statement which is admitted as
evidence under this section and who in such statement
wilfully and falsely states anything which, if sworn, would
have amounted to the offence of perjury, shall be deemed to
have committed the offence of perjury and shall, upon
conviction, be liable to the punishment prescribed for the
offence of perjury.
214. Evidence recorded at preparatory examination admissible at

trial in certain circumstances.The evidence of any witness recorded at a preparatory examination(a) shall be admissible in evidence on the trial of the accused
following upon such preparatory examination, if it is proved
to the satisfaction of the court(i)
that the witness is dead;
(ii) that the witness is incapable of giving evidence;
(iii)
that the witness is too ill to attend the trial; or
(iv) that the witness is being kept away from the trial by
the means and contrivance of the accused; and
(v) that the evidence tendered is the evidence recorded
before the magistrate or, as the case may be, the
regional magistrate,
and if it appears from the preparatory examination record or
it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the
accused or, as the case may be, the State had a full
opportunity of cross-examining such witness
(b) may, if such witness cannot, after a diligent search, be
found for purposes of the trial of the accused following upon
such preparatory examination, or cannot be compelled to
attend such trial, in the discretion of the court, but
subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v) of paragraph
(a), be read as evidence at such trial, if it appears from
the preparatory examination record or it is proved to the
satisfaction of the court that the accused or, as the case
may be, the State had a full opportunity of cross-examining
such witness.
215. Evidence recorded at former trial admissible at later trial
in certain circumstances. The evidence of a witness given at a former trial may, in the
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circumstances referred to in
section 214, mutatis mutandis be
admitted in evidence at any later trial of the same person upon the
same charge.
216. Hearsay evidence.Except where this Act provides otherwise, no evidence which is of
the nature of hearsay evidence shall be admissible if such evidence
would have been inadmissible on the thirtieth day of May, 1961.
Admissibility of certain statements made by young children
216A (1) Evidence of any statement made by a child younger than
14 years is admissible in order to prove any fact
alleged in that statement if (a) the child concerned is unable to give evidence relating
to any matter contained in the statement concerned; and
(b) such statement considered in the light of all the
surrounding circumstances contains indications of
reliability.
(2) If a child younger than 14 years gives evidence in
criminal proceedings, evidence of any statement made by
that child is admissible in order to prove any fact
alleged in that statement if the child concerned gives
evidence to the effect that he or she made that
statement.
(3) Evidence of a statement contemplated in subsection (1)
or (2) may be given in the form of(a) the playing in court of a video or audiotape of the
making of the statement if the person to whom the
statement concerned has been made, gives evidence in
such criminal proceedings;
(b) a written record of the making of that statement if the
person to whom the statement has been made gives
evidence in the proceedings concerned;
(c) oral evidence relating to the making of the statement,
if it is not possible to give evidence in the form
contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b)..
Section 216A inserted by Act No. 24, 2003 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
AMENDMENT ACT, 2003
217. Admissibility of confession by accused.(1) Evidence of any confession made by any person in relation to
the commission of any offence shall, if such confession is
proved to have been freely and voluntarily made by such
person in his sound and sober senses and without having been
unduly influenced thereto, be admissible in evidence against
such person at criminal proceedings relating to such offence:
Provided(a) that a confession made to a peace officer, other than a
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(2)
(3)
magistrate or justice, or, in the case of a peace

officer referred to in section 334, a confession made to
such peace officer which relates to an offence with
reference to which such peace officer is authorized to
exercise any power conferred upon him under that section,
shall not be admissible in evidence unless confirmed and
reduced to writing in the presence of a magistrate or
justice; and
(b) that where the confession is made to a magistrate and
reduced to writing by him, or is confirmed and reduced to
writing in the presence of a magistrate, the confession
shall, upon the mere production thereof at the
proceedings in question(i) be admissible in evidence against such person if it
appears from the document in which the confession
is contained that the confession was made by a
person whose name corresponds to that of such
person and, in the case of a confession made to a
magistrate or confirmed in the presence of a
magistrate through an interpreter, if a certificate
by the interpreter appears on such documents to the
effect that he interpreted truly and correctly and
to the best of his ability with regard to the
contents of the confession and any question put to
such person by the magistrate; and
(ii) be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to have
been freely and voluntarily made by such person in
his sound and sober senses and without having been
unduly influenced thereto, if it appears from the
document in which the confession is contained that
the confession was made freely and voluntarily by
such person in his sound and sober senses and
without having been unduly influenced thereto.
The prosecution may lead evidence in rebuttal of evidence
adduced by an accused in rebuttal of the presumption under
proviso (b) to subsection (1).
Any confession which is under subsection (1) inadmissible in
evidence against the person who made it, shall become
admissible against him(a) if he adduces in the relevant proceedings any evidence,
either directly or in cross-examining any witness, of any
oral or written statement made by him either as part of
or in connection with such confession; and
(b) if such evidence is, in the opinion of the judge or the
judicial
officer
presiding
at
such
proceedings,
favourable to such person.
218. Admissibility of facts discovered by means of inadmissible

confession.
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(l)
(2)
Evidence may be admitted at criminal proceedings of any

fact otherwise admissible in evidence, notwithstanding that
the witness who gives evidence of such fact, discovered such
fact or obtained knowledge of such fact only in consequence
of information given by an accused appearing at such
proceedings in any confession or statement which by law is
not admissible in evidence against such accused at such
proceedings, and notwithstanding that the fact was discovered
or came to the knowledge of such witness against the wish or
will of such accused.
Evidence may be admitted at criminal proceedings that
anything was pointed out by an accused appearing at such
proceedings or that any fact or thing was discovered in
consequence
of
information
given
by
such
accused,
notwithstanding that such pointing out or information forms
part of a confession or statement which by law is not
admissible in evidence against such accused at such
proceedings.
219. Confession not admissible against another.No confession made by any person shall be admissible as evidence
against another person.
219A. Admissibility of admission by accused.(l) Evidence of any admission made extra-judicially by any person
in relation to the commission of an offence shall, if such
admission does not constitute a confession of that offence
and is proved to have been voluntarily made by that person,
be admissible in evidence against him at criminal proceedings
relating to that offence: Provided that where the admission
is made to a magistrate and reduced to writing by him or is
confirmed and reduced to writing in the presence of a
magistrate, the admission shall, upon the mere production at
the proceedings in question of the document in which the
admission is contained(a) be admissible in evidence against such person if it
appears from such document that the admission was made by
a person whose name corresponds to that of such person
and, in the case of an admission made to a magistrate or
confirmed in the presence of a magistrate through an
interpreter, if a certificate by the interpreter appears
on such document to the effect that he interpreted truly
and correctly and to the best of his ability with regard
to the contents of the admission and any question put to
such person by the magistrate; and
(b)
be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to have been
voluntarily made by such per~on if it appears from the
document in which the admission is contained that the
admission was made voluntarily by such person.
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(2)
The prosecution may lead evidence in rebuttal of evidence

adduced by an accused in rebuttal of the presumption under
subsection (1).
220. Admissions.An accused or his legal adviser may in criminal proceedings admit
any fact placed in issue at such proceedings and any such admission
shall be sufficient proof of such fact.
221. Admissibility of certain trade or business records.
(l) In criminal proceedings in which direct oral evidence of a
fact would be admissible, any statement contained in a
document and tending to establish that fact shall, upon
production of the document, be admissible as evidence of that
fact if(a) the document is or forms part of a record relating to any
trade or business and has been compiled in the course of
that trade or business, from information supplied,
directly or indirectly, by persons who have or may
reasonably be supposed to have personal knowledge of the
matters dealt with in the information they supply; and
(b) the person who supplied the information recorded in the
statement in question is dead or is outside the Republic
or is unfit by reason of his physical or mental condition
to attend as a witness or cannot with reasonable
diligence be identified or found or cannot reasonably be
expected, having regard to the time which has elapsed
since he supplied the information as well as all the
circumstances, to have any recollection of the matters
dealt with in the information he supplied.
(2) For the purpose of deciding whether or nOt a statement is
admissible as evidence under this section, the court may draw
any reasonable inference from the form or content of the
document in which the statement is contained, and may, in
deciding whether or not a person is fit to attend as a
witness, act on a certificate purporting to be a certificate
of a registered medical practitioner.
(3) In estimating the weight to be attached to a statement
admissible as evidence under this section, regard shall be
had to all the circumstances from which any inference may
reasonably be drawn as to the accuracy or otherwise of the
statement, and, in particular, to the question whether or not
the person who supplied the information recorded in the
statement, did so contemporaneously with the occurrence or
existence of the facts stated, and to the question whether or
not that person or any person concerned with making or
keeping the record containing the statement, had any
incentive to conceal or misrepresent the facts.
(4) No
provision
of
this
section
shall
prejudice
the
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128
(5)
admissibility
of
any evidence
which
would
be
admissible apart from the provisions of this section.
In this section"business"
includes any public transport, public utility
or similar undertaking carried on by a local
authority, and the activities of the Post
Office and the Railways Administration;
"document"
includes any device by means of which
information is recorded or stored; and
"statement"
includes any representation of fact, whether
made in words or otherwise.
222. Application to criminal proceedings of certain provisions of

Civil Proceedings Evidence Act, 1965, relating to documentary
evidence.The provisions of sections 33 to 38 inclusive, of the Civil
Proceedings Evidence Act, 1965 (Act 25 of 1965), shall mutatis
mutandis apply with reference to criminal proceedings.
223. Admissibility of dying declaration.The declaration made by any deceased person upon the apprehension
of impending death shall be admissible or inadmissible in evidence
if such a declaration would have been admissible or inadmissible as
evidence on the thirtieth day of May, 1961.
224. Judicial notice of laws and other published matter.Judicial notice shall in criminal proceedings be taken of(a) any law or any matter published in a publication which
purports to be the Gazette or the Official Gazette of any
province or the territory;
(b) any law which purports to be published under the
superintendence or authority of the Government Printer.
225. Evidence of prints or bodily appearance of accused.(l) Whenever it is relevant at criminal proceedings to ascertain
whether any finger-print, palm-print or foot-print of an
accused at such proceedings corresponds to any other fingerprint, palm-print or footprint, or whether the body of such
an accused has or had any mark, characteristic or
distinguishing feature or shows or showed any condition or
appearance, evidence of the finger-prints, palm-prints or
foot-prints of the accused or that the body of the accused
has or had any mark, characteristic or distinguishing feature
or shows or showed any condition or appearance, including
evidence of the result of any blood test of the accused,
shall be admissible at such proceedings.
(2) Such evidence shall not be inadmissible by reason only
thereof that the fingerprint, palm-print or foot-print in
question was not taken or that the mark, characteristic,
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129
feature,
condition
or
appearance in question was not
ascertained in accordance with the provisions of section 37,
or that it was taken or ascertained against the wish or the
will of the accused concerned.
226. Evidence
of
no
sexual
intercourse
between
spouses
admissible.For the purposes of rebutting the presumption that a child to whom
a married woman has given birth is the offspring of her husband,
such woman or her husband or both of them may in criminal
proceedings give evidence that they had no sexual intercourse with
one another during the period when the child was conceived.
227. Evidence of character.Evidence as to the character of an accused shall be admissible or
inadmissible if such evidence would have been admissible or
inadmissible on the thirtieth day of May, 1961.
As amended by section 17 of the Combating of Rape Act 8 of 2000
Evidence of sexual conduct or experience of complainant of rape
or offence of an indecent nature
227 A(1) No evidence as to any previous sexual conduct or
experience of a complainant in criminal proceedings at which an
accused is charged with rape or an offence of an indecent nature,
shall be adduced, and no question regarding such sexual conduct
or experience shall be put to the complainant or any other
witness in such proceedings, unless the court has, on application
made to it, granted leave to adduce such evidence or to put such
question, which leave shall only be granted if the court is
satisfied that such evidence or questioning (a) tends to rebut evidence that was previously adduced by
the prosecution; or
(b) tends to explain the presence of semen or the source of
pregnancy or disease or any injury to the complainant,
where it is relevant to a fact in issue; or
(c) is so fundamental to the accuseds defence that to
exclude it would violate the constitutional rights of
the accused: Provided that such evidence or questioning
has significant probative value that is not
substantially outweighed by its potential prejudice to
the complainants personal dignity and right of
privacy.
(2) No evidence as to the sexual reputation of a complainant in
criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
rape or an offence of an indecent nature, shall be
admissible in such proceedings.
(3) Before an application for leave contemplated in subsection
1) is heard, the court may direct that the complainant in
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(4)
respect of whom such

evidence is to be adduced or to
whom any such question is to be put, shall not be present at
such application proceedings.
The courts reasons for its decision to grant or refuse
leave under subsection (1) to adduce such evidence or to put
such question shall be recorded, and shall form part of the
record of the proceedings.
Section 227A as inserted by Section 18 of the Combating of Rape Act

8 of 2000.
228. Evidence of disputed writing.Comparison at criminal proceedings of a disputed writing with any
writing proved to be genuine, may be made by a witness, and such
writings and the evidence of any witness with respect thereto, may
be submitted as proof of the genuineness or otherwise of the
writing in dispute.
229. Evidence of times of sunrise and sunset
(l) The Minister may from time to time by notice in the Gazette
approve of tables prepared at any official observatory in the
Republic of the times of sunrise and sunset on particular
days at particular places in the Republic or any portion
thereof, and appearing in any publication specified in the
notice, and thereupon such tables shall, until the notice is
withdrawn, on the mere production thereof in criminal
proceedings be admissible as proof of such times.
(2) Tables in force immediately prior to the commencement of this
Act by virtue of the provisions of section 26 of the General
Law Amendment Act, 1952 (Act 32 of 1952), shall be deemed to
be tables approved under subsection (1) of this section.
230. Evidence and sufficiency of evidence of appointment to public
office.Any evidence which, on the thirtieth day of May, 1961(a) would have been admissible as proof of the appointment of any
person to any public office or of the authority of any person
to act as a public officer, shall be admissible in evidence
in criminal proceedings;
(b) would have been deemed sufficient proof of the appointment of
any person to any public office or of the authority of any
person to act as a public officer, shall in criminal
proceedings be deemed to be sufficient proof of such
appointment or authority.
231. Evidence of signature of public officer.Any document(a) which purports to bear the signature of any person holding a
public office; and
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131
(b)
which bears a seal or stamp purporting to be a seal or

stamp of the department, office or institution to which such
person is attached, shall, upon the mere production thereof
at criminal proceedings, be prima facie proof that such
person signed such document.
232. Article may be proved in evidence by means of photograph

thereof.(l) Any court may in respect of any article, other than a
document, which any party to criminal proceedings may wish to
produce to the court as admissible evidence at such
proceedings, permit such party to produce as evidence, in
lieu of such article, any photograph thereof, notwithstanding
that such article is available and can be produced in
evidence.
(2) The court may, notwithstanding the admission under subsection
(1) of the photograph of any article, on good cause require
the production of the article in question.
233. Proof of public documents.(l) Whenever any book or other document is of such a public
nature as to be admissible in evidence upon its mere
production from proper custody, any copy thereof or extract
therefrom shall be admissible in evidence at criminal
proceedings if it is proved to be an examined copy or
extract, or if it purports to be signed and certified as a
true copy or extract by the officer to whose custody the
original is entrusted.
(2) Such officer shall furnish such certified copy or extract to
any person applying therefore, upon payment of an amount in
accordance with the tariff of fees prescribed by or under any
law or, if no such tariff has been so prescribed, an amount
in accordance with such tariff of fees as the Minister, in
consultation with the Minister of Finance, may from time to
time determine.
234. Proof of official documents.
(l) It shall, at criminal proceedings, be sufficient to prove an
original official document which is in the custody or under
the control of any State official by virtue of his office, if
a copy thereof or an extract therefrom, certified as a true
copy or extract by the head of the department concerned or by
any State official authorized thereto by such head, is
produced in evidence at such proceedings.
(2) (a) An original official document referred to in subsection
(1), other than the record of judicial proceedings, may
be produced at criminal proceedings only upon the order
of the attorney-general.
(b) It shall not be necessary for the head of the department
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132
(3)
concerned to appear in person to produce an original

document under paragraph (a), but such document may be
produced by any person authorized thereto by such head.
Any official who, under subsection (1), certifies any copy or
extract as true knowing that such copy or extract is false,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.
235. Proof of judicial proceedings.(l) It shall, at criminal proceedings, be sufficient to prove the
original record of judicial proceedings if a copy of such
record, certified or purporting to be certified by the
registrar or clerk of the court or other officer having the
custody of the record of such judicial proceedings or by the
deputy of such registrar, clerk or other officer or, in the
case where judicial proceedings are taken down in shorthand
or by mechanical means, by the person who transcribed such
proceedings, as a true copy of such record, is produced in
evidence at such criminal proceedings, and such copy shall be
prima facie proof that any matter purporting to be recorded
thereon was correctly recorded.
(2) Any person who, under subsection (1), certifies any copy as
true knowing that such copy is false, shall be guilty of an
offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding two years.
236. Proof of entries in bankers' books.
(l) The entries in the account books, including any ledger, daybook or cash-book, of any bank shall, upon the mere
production at criminal Proceedings of a document Purporting
to be an affidavit made by any person who in that affidavit
alleges
(a) that he is in the service of the bank in question;
(b)
that such account books are or have been the ordinary
books of such bank;
(c)
that the said entries have been made in the usual and
ordinary course of the business of such bank; and
(d)
that such account books are in the custody or under the
control of such bank,
be prima facie proof at such proceedings of the matters,
transactions and accounts recorded in such account books.
(2) Any entry in any account book referred to in subsection (1)
may be proved at criminal proceedings upon the mere
production at such proceedings of a document purporting to be
an affidavit made by any person who in that affidavit alleges
(a) that he is in the service of the bank in question;
(b)
that he has examined the entry and the account book in
question; and
(c)
that a copy of such entry set out in the affidavit or in
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133
(3)
(4)
an annexure thereto is a correct copy of such entry.

Any party at the proceedings in question against whom
evidence is adduced in terms of this section or against whom
it is intended to adduce evidence in terms of this section,
may, upon the order of the court before which the proceedings
are pending, inspect the original of the entry in question
and any account book in which such entry appears or of which
such entry forms part, and such party may make copies of such
entry, and the court shall, upon the application of the party
concerned, adjourn the proceedings for the purpose of such
inspection or the making of such copies.
No bank shall be compelled to produce any account book
referred to in subsection (1) at any criminal proceedings,
unless the court concerned orders that any such book be
produced.
237. Evidence on charge of bigamy.(l) At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
bigamy, it shall, as soon as it is proved that a marriage
ceremony, other than the ceremony relating to the alleged
bigamous marriage, took place within the Republic between the
accused and another person, be presumed, unless the contrary
is proved, that the marriage was on the date of the
solemnization thereof lawful and binding.
(2) At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
bigamy, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved,
that at the time of the solemnization of the alleged bigamous
marriage there subsisted between the accused and another
person a lawful and binding marriage(a) if there is produced at such proceedings, in any case in
which the marriage is alleged to have been solemnized
within the Republic, an extract from the marriage
register which purports(i) to be a duplicate original or a copy of the
marriage register relating to such marriage; and
(ii) to be certified as such a duplicate original or
such a copy by the person having the custody of
such marriage register or by a registrar of
marriages;
(b)
if there is produced at such proceedings, in any case in
which the marriage is alleged to have been solemnized
outside the Republic, a document which purports(i) to be an extract from a marriage register kept
according to law in that country where the marriage
is alleged to have been solemnized; and
(ii) to be Certified as such an extract by the person
having the custody of such register, if the
signature of such person on the certificate is
authenticated in accordance with any law of the
1995
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134
(3)
Republic
governing the authentication of
documents executed outside the Republic.
At criminal Proceedings at which an accused is charged with
bigamy, evidence
(a) that shortly before the alleged bigamous marriage the
accused had been cohabiting with the person to whom he is
alleged to be lawfully married;
(b) that the accused had been treating and recognizing such
person as a Spouse; and
(c) of the performance of a marriage ceremony between the
accused and such person,
shall, as Soon as the alleged bigamous marriage, wherever
solemnized, has been proved, be prima facie proof that there
was a lawful and binding marriage subsisting between the
accused and such person at the time of the solemnization of
the alleged bigamous marriage.
238. Evidence of relationship on charge of incest.

incest(a) it shall be sufficient to prove that the woman or girl on
whom or by whom the offence is alleged to have been
committed, is reputed to be the lineal ascendant or
descendant or the sister, stepmother or stepdaughter of
the other party to the incest;
(b) the accused shall be presumed, unless the contrary is
proved, to have had knowledge, at the time of the alleged
offence, of the relationship existing between him and the
other party to the incest.
(2) Whenever the fact that any lawful and binding marriage was
contracted is relevant to the issue at criminal proceedings
at which an accused is charged with incest, such fact may be
proved prima facie in the manner provided in section 237 for
the proof of the existence of a lawful and binding marriage
of a person charged with bigamy.
239. Evidence on charge of infanticide or concealment of birth.(l) At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
the killing of a newly-born child, such child shall be deemed
to have been born alive if the child is proved to have
breathed, whether or not the child had an independent
circulation, and it shall not be necessary to prove that such
child was, at the time of its death, entirely separated from
the body of its mother.
the concealment of the birth of a child, it shall not be
necessary to prove whether the child died before or at or
after birth.
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135
240. Evidence
on
charge
of receiving stolen property.(l) At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
receiving stolen property which he knew to be stolen
property, evidence may be given at any stage of the
proceedings that the accused was, within the period of twelve
months immediately preceding the date on which he first
appeared in a magistrate's court in respect of such charge,
found in possession of other stolen property: Provided that
no such evidence shall be given against the accused unless at
least three days' notice in writing has been given to him
that it is intended to adduce such evidence against him.
(2) The evidence referred to in subsection (1) may be taken into
consideration for the purpose of proving that the accused
knew that the property which forms the subject of the charge
was stolen property.
(3) Where the accused is proved to have received the property
which is the subject of the charge, from a person under the
age of eighteen years, he shall be presumed to have known at
the time when he received such property that it was stolen
property, unless it is proved(a) that the accused was at that time under the age of
twenty-one years; or
(b) that the accused had good cause, other than the mere
statement of the person from whom he received such
property, to believe, and that he did believe, that such
person had the right to dispose of such property.
241. Evidence of previous conviction on charge of receiving stolen
property.If at criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
receiving stolen property which he knew to be stolen property, it
is proved that such property was found in the possession of the
accused, evidence may at any stage of the proceedings be given that
the accused was, within the five years immediately preceding the
date on which he first appeared in a magistrate's court in respect
of such charge, convicted of an offence involving fraud or
dishonesty, and such evidence may be taken into consideration for
the purpose of proving that the accused knew that the property
found in his possession was stolen property: Provided that not less
than three days' notice in writing shall be given to the accused
that it is intended to adduce evidence of such previous conviction.
242. Evidence on charge of defamation.If at criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with the
unlawful publication of defamatory matter which is contained in a
periodical, it is proved that such periodical or the part in which
such defamatory matter is contained, was published by the accused,
other writings or prints purporting to be other numbers or parts of
the same periodical, previously or subsequently published, and con-
1995
135
136
taining a printed statement that they were published by or for

the accused, shall be admissible in evidence without further proof
of their publication.
243. Evidence of receipt of money or property and general
deficiency on charge of theft(l) At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with
theft(a) while employed in any capacity in the service of the
State, of money or of property which belonged to the
State or which came into the possession of the accused by
virtue of his employment;
(b) while a clerk, servant or agent, of money or of property
which belonged to his employer or principal or which came
into the possession of the accused on account of his
employer or principal,
an entry in any book of account kept by the accused or kept
under or subject to his charge or supervision, and which
purports to be an entry of the receipt of money or of
property, shall be proof that such money or such property was
received by the accused.
(2) It shall not be necessary at proceedings referred to in
subsection (1) to prove the theft by the accused of a
specific sum of money or of specific goods, if(a) on the examination of the books of account kept or the
entries made by the accused or under or subject to his
charge or supervision, there is proof of a general
deficiency; and
(b) the court is satisfied that the accused stole the money
or goods so deficient or any part thereof.
244. Evidence on charge relating to seals and stamps.At criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with any
offence relating to any seal or stamp used for the purposes of the
public revenue or of the post office in any foreign country, a
despatch purporting to be from the officer administering the
government of such country and transmitting to the State President
any stamp, mark or impression and stating it to be a genuine stamp,
mark or impression of a die-plate or other instrument provided or
made or used by or under the direction of the proper authority of
such country for the purpose of denoting stamp duty or postal
charge, shall on its mere production at such proceedings be prima
facie proof of the facts stated in the despatch.
245. Evidence on charge of which false representation is elementIf at criminal proceedings at which an accused is charged with an
offence of which a false representation is an element, it is proved
that the false representation was made by the accused, he shall be
deemed, unless the contrary is proved, to have made such
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137
representation knowing it to be
false.
246. Presumptions relating to certain documents.Any document, including any book, pamphlet, letter, circular
letter, list, record, placard or poster, which was at any time on
premises occupied by any association of persons, incorporated or
unincorporated, or in the possession or under the control of any
office-bearer, officer or member of such association, and(a) on the face whereof a person of a name corresponding to that
of an accused person appears to be a member or an officebearer of such association, shall, upon the mere production
thereof by the prosecution at criminal proceedings, he prima
facie proof that the accused is a member or an office-bearer
of such association, as the case may be;
(b) on the face whereof a person of a name corresponding to that
of an accused person who is or was a member of such
association, appears to be the author of such document,
shall, upon the mere production thereof by the prosecution at
criminal proceedings, be prima facie proof that the accused
is the author thereof;
(c) which on the face thereof appears to be the minutes or a copy
of or an extract from the minutes of a meeting of such
association or of any committee thereof, shall, upon the mere
production
thereof
by
the
prosecution
at
criminal
proceedings, be prima facie proof of the holding of such
meeting and of the proceedings thereat;
(d) which on the face thereof discloses any object of such
association, shall, upon the mere production thereof by the
prosecution at criminal proceedings, be prima facie proof
that the said object is an object of such association.
247. Presumptions relating to absence from Republic of certain
persons.Any document, including any newspaper, periodical, book, pamphlet,
letter, circular letter, list, record, placard or poster, on the
face whereof it appears that a person of a name corresponding to
that of an accused person has at any particular time been outside
the Republic or has at any particular time made any statement
outside the Republic, shall, upon the mere production thereof by
the prosecution at criminal proceedings, be prima facie proof that
the accused was outside the Republic at such time or, as the case
may be, that the accused made such statement outside the Republic
at such time, if such document is accompanied by a certificate,
purporting to have been signed by the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, to the effect that he is satisfied that such document is
of foreign origin.
248. Presumption that accused possessed particular qualification
or acted in particular capacity.-
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138
(l)
(2)
If an act or an omission
constitutes an offence only when
committed by a person possessing a particular qualification
or quality, or vested with a particular authority or acting
in a particular capacity, an accused charged with such an
offence upon a charge alleging that he possessed such
qualification or quality or was vested with such authority or
was acting in such capacity, shall, at criminal proceedings,
be deemed to have possessed such qualification or quality or
to have been vested with such authority or to have been
acting in such capacity at the time of the commission of the
offence, unless such allegation is at any time during the
criminal proceedings expressly denied by the accused or is
disproved.
If such allegation is denied or evidence is led to disprove
it after the prosecution has closed its case, the prosecution
may adduce any evidence and submit any argument in support of
the allegation as if it had not closed its case.
249. Presumption of failure to pay tax or to furnish information

relating to tax.When an accused is at criminal proceedings charged with any offence
of which the failure to pay any tax or impost to the State, or of
which the failure to furnish to any officer of the State any
information relating to any tax or impost which is or may be due to
the State is an element, the accused shall be deemed to have failed
to pay such tax or impost or to furnish such information, unless
the contrary is proved.
250. Presumption of lack of authority.(l) If a person would commit an offence if he(a) carried on any occupation or business;
(b) performed any act;
(c) owned or had in his possession or custody or used any
article; or
(d) was present at or entered any place,
without being the holder of a licence, permit, permission or
other authority or qualification (in this section referred to
as the "necessary authority"), an accused shall, at criminal
proceedings upon a charge that he committed such an offence,
be deemed not to have been the holder of the necessary
authority, unless the contrary is proved.
(2) (a) Any peace officer and, where any fee payable for the
necessary authority would acrue to the State Revenue Fund
or the Railway and Harbour Fund or a provincial revenue
fund or the Revenue Fund of the territory, any person
authorized thereto in writing by the head of the relevant
department or sub-department or by the officer in charge
of the relevant office, may demand the production from a
person referred to in subsection (1) of the necessary
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139
(3)
authority
which
is
appropriate.
(b) Any peace officer, other than a police official in
uniform, and any person authorized under paragraph (a)
shall, when demanding the necessary authority from any
person, produce at the request of that person, his
authority to make the demand.
Any person who is the holder of the necessary authority and
who fails without reasonable cause to produce forthwith such
authority to the person making the demand under subsection
(2) for the production thereof?, or who fails without
reasonable cause to submit such authority to a person and at
a place and within such reasonable time as the person making
the demand may specify, shall be guilty of an offence and
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred rand
or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.
251. Unstamped instrument admissible in criminal proceedings.An instrument liable to stamp duty shall not be held inadmissible
at criminal proceedings on the ground only that it is not stamped
as required by law.
252. The law in cases not provided for.The law as to the admissibility of evidence which was in force in
respect of criminal proceedings on the thirtieth day of May, 1961,
shall apply in any case not expressly provided for by this Act or
any other law.
253. Saving of special provisions in other laws.No provision of this Chapter shall be construed as modifying any
provision of any other law whereby in any criminal proceedings
referred to in such law certain specified facts and circumstances
are deemed to be evidence or a particular fact or circumstance may
be proved in a manner specified therein.
CHAPTER 25
CONVERSION OF TRIAL INTO ENQUIRY
254. Court may refer juvenile accused to children's court.(1) If it appears to the court at the trial upon any charge of any
accused under the age of eighteen years that he is a child in
need of care as defined in section 1 of the Children's Act,
1960 (Act 33 of 1960), and that it is desirable to deal with
him in terms of sections 30 and 31 of that Act, it may stop
the trial and order that the accused be brought before a
children's court mentioned in section 4 or S of that Act and
that he be dealt with under the said sections 30 and 31.
(2) If the order under subsection (1) is made after conviction,
the verdict shall be of no force in relation to the person in
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140
respect of whom the order

to have been returned.
is made and shall be deemed not
255. Court may order enquiry under Abuse of Dependence-producing

Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act, 1971 (Act 41 of
1971).(l) (a) If in any court during the trial of a person who is
charged with an offence other than an offence in respect
of which the sentence of death may be passed, it appears
to the judge or judicial officer presiding at the trial
that such person is probably a person as is described in
section 29 (1) of the Abuse of Dependence-producing
Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act, 1971 (in this
section referred to as the said Act), the judge or
judicial officer may, with the consent of the prosecutor
given after consultation with a social welfare officer as
defined in section 1 of the said Act, stop the trial and
order that an enquiry be held in terms of section 30 of
the said Act in respect of the person concerned by a
magistrate as defined in section 1 of the said Act and
indicated in the order.
(b) The prosecutor shall not give his consent in terms of
paragraph (a) if the person concerned is a person in
respect of whom the imposition of punishment of imprisonment, except the punishment referred to in
subparagraph (iii) or (iv) of section 2 of the said Act,
would be compulsory if he were convicted at such trial.
(2) (a) If the person concerned is in custody he shall for all
purposes be deemed to have been arrested in terms of a
warrant issued under section 29 (1) of the said Act and
shall as soon as practicable be brought before the said
magistrate.
(b) If the person concerned is not in custody the said judge
or judicial officer shall determine the time when and the
place where the person concerned shall appear before the
said magistrate, and he shall thereafter for all purposes
be deemed to have been summoned in terms of section 29
(1) of the said Act to appear before the said magistrate
at the time and place so determined.
(3) As soon as possible after an order has been made under
subsection (1) of this section, a prosecutor attached to the
court of the said magistrate shall obtain a report as is
mentioned in section 29 (2) of the said Act.
(4) The provisions of the said Act shall mutatis mutandis apply in
respect of a person who appears before a magistrate, as
defined in section 1 of the said Act, in pursuance of an order
made under subsection (1) of this section as if he were a
person brought before the said magistrate in terms of section
29 (1) of the said Act and as if the report obtained in terms
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141
(5)
(6)
(7)
of subsection (3) of this section were a report obtained

in terms of section 29 (2) of the said Act.
If an order is made under subsection (1) in the course of a
trial, whether before or after conviction, and a magistrate
under the said Act orders that the person concerned be
detained
in
a
rehabilitation
centre
or
registered
rehabilitation centre, the proceedings at the trial shall be
null and void in so far as such person is concerned.
A copy of the record of the proceedings at the trial,
certified or purporting to be certified by the registrar or
clerk of the court or other officer having the custody of the
record of such proceedings or by the deputy of such registrar,
clerk or other officer or, in the case where the proceedings
were taken down in shorthand or by mechanical means, by the
person who transcribed the proceedings, as a true copy of such
record, may be produced at the said enquiry as evidence.
In applying the provisions of this section with reference to a
Coloured person as defined in the Coloured Persons
Rehabilitation Centres Law, 1971, of the Coloured Persons
Representative Council of the Republic of South Africa (Law 1
of 1971), any reference(a) to a provision of the Abuse of Dependence-producing
Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act, 1971, shall,
except in the case of subsection (I) (b), be construed as
a reference to a corresponding provision of the said
Coloured Persons Rehabilitation Centres Law, 1971;
(b) to a "social welfare officer" and a "magistrate" shall be
construed as a reference to a "social worker" and a
"magistrate", respectively, as defined in the said
Coloured Persons Rehabilitation Centres Law, 1971.
CHAPTER 26
COMPETENT VERDICTS
256. AttemptIf the evidence in criminal proceedings does not prove the commission of the offence charged but proves an attempt to commit that
offence or an attempt to commit any other offence of which an
accused may be convicted on the offence charged, the accused may be
found guilty of an attempt to commit that offence or, as the case
may be, such other offence.
257. Accessory after the factIf the evidence in criminal proceedings does not prove the
commission of the offence charged but proves that the accused is
guilty as an accessory after that offence or any other offence of
which he may be convicted on the offence charged, the accused may
be found guilty as an accessory after that offence or, as the case
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142
may be, such other offence, and

shall, in the absence of any
punishment expressly provided by law, be liable to punishment at
the discretion of the court: Provided that such punishment shall
not exceed the punishment which may be imposed in respect of the
offence with reference to which the accused is convicted as an
accessory: Provided further that the punishment to which such
accessory shall be liable shall not include the sentence of death.
258. Murder and attempted murder.If the evidence on a charge of murder or attempted murder does not
prove the offence of murder or, as the case may be, attempted
murder, but(a) the offence of culpable homicide;
(b) the offence of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm;
(c) the offence of robbery;
(d) in a case relating to a child, the offence of exposing an
infant, whether under a statute or at common law, or the
offence of disposing of the body of a child, in contravention
of section 113 of the General Law Amendment Act, 1935 (Act 46
of 1935), with intent to conceal the fact of its birth;
(e) the offence of common assault;
(f) the offence of public violence; or
(g) the offence of pointing a fire-arm, air-gun or air-pistol in
contravention of any law,
the accused may be found guilty of the offence so proved.
259. Culpable homicide.If the evidence on a charge of culpable homicide does not prove the
offence of culpable homicide, but(a) the offence of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm;
(b) the offence of robbery;
(c) in a case relating to a child, the offence of exposing an
infant, whether under a statute or at common law, or the
offence of disposing of the body of a child, in contravention
of section 113 of the General Law Amendment Act, 1935 (Act 46
of 1935), with intent to conceal the fact of its birth;
(d) the offence of common assault;
(e) the offence of public violence; or
(f) the offence of pointing a fire-arm, air-gun or air-pistol in
contravention of any law,
260. Robbery.If the evidence on a charge of robbery or attempted robbery does
not prove the offence of robbery or, as the case may be, attempted
robbery, but(a) the offence of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm;
(b) the offence of common assault;
(c) the offence of pointing a fire-arm, air-gun or air-pistol in
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142
143
contravention of any law;

(d) the offence of theft;
(e) the offence of receiving stolen property knowing it to have
been stolen;
(f) an offence under section 36 or 37 of the General Law Amendment
Act, 1955 (Act 62 of 1955); or
(g) in the case of the territory, an offence under section 6 or 7
of the General Law Amendment Ordinance, 1956 (Ordinance 12 of
1956),
the accused may be found guilty of the offence so proved, or, where
the offence of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm or
the offence of common assault and the offence of theft are proved,
of both such offences.
261. Rape and indecent assault.
(l) If the evidence on a charge of rape or attempted rape does not
prove the offence of rape or, as the case may be, attempted
rape, but(a) the offence of assault with intent to do grievous bodily
harm;
(b) the offence of indecent assault;
(c) the offence of common assault;
(d) the offence of incest;
(e) the statutory offence of(i)
unlawful carnal intercourse with a girl under
a specified age;
(ii)
committing an immoral or indecent act with
such a girl; or
(iii)
soliciting or enticing such a girl to the
commission of an immoral or indecent act;
(f) the statutory offence of(i)
unlawful carnal intercourse with a female
idiot or imbecile;
(ii)
such a female; or
(iii)
soliciting or enticing such a female to the
(g) if the accused is a coloured person as defined in the law
relating to immorality between white persons and coloured
persons, the statutory offence of(i)
unlawful carnal intercourse with a white
female person so defined;
(ii)
such a female person; or
(iii)
soliciting, enticing or importuning such a
female
person
to
have
unlawful
carnal
intercourse or to the commission of an immoral
or indecent act; or
(h) if the accused is a white person as defined in the law
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144
(2)
(3)
relating to immorality between

white
persons
and
coloured persons, the statutory offence of(i)
unlawful carnal intercourse with a coloured
female so defined;
(ii)
such a female person; or
(iii)
soliciting, enticing or importuning such a female
person to have unlawful carnal intercourse or
to the commission of an immoral or indecent
act,
If the evidence on a charge of indecent assault does not prove
the offence of indecent assault but(a) the offence of common assault;
(b) the statutory offence of(i) committing an immoral or indecent act with a girl or a
boy under a specified age; or
(ii) soliciting or enticing such a girl or boy to the
(c) the statutory offence of(i) attempting to have unlawful carnal intercourse with a
female idiot or imbecile; or
(ii) committing an immoral or indecent act with such a
female;
(d) if the accused is a coloured person as defined in the law
persons, the statutory offence of(i) committing an immoral or indecent act with a white
female person so defined; or
(ii) soliciting, enticing or importuning such a female person
to have unlawful carnal intercourse or to the
commission of an immoral or indecent act; or
(e) if the accused is a white person as defined in the law
persons, the statutory offence of(i) committing an immoral or indecent act with a coloured
female person so defined; or
(ii) soliciting, enticing or importuning such a female person
to have unlawful carnal intercourse or to the
commission of an immoral or indecent act,
In this section any reference to a coloured person or a white
person shall, in the case of criminal proceedings in the
territory, be construed as a reference to a non-European
person or a European person, respectively.
262. Housebreaking with intent to commit an offence.(l) If the evidence on a charge of housebreaking with intent to
commit an offence specified in the charge, whether the charge
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145
is brought under a statute

or the
common law, does not
prove the offence of housebreaking with intent to commit the
offence so specified but the offence of housebreaking with
intent to commit an offence other than the offence so
specified or the offence of housebreaking with intent to
commit an offence unknown or the offence of malicious injury
to property, the accused may be found guilty of the offence so
proved.
(2)
If the evidence on a charge of housebreaking with intent to

commit an offence to the prosecutor unknown, whether the
charge is brought under a statute or the common law, does not
prove the offence of housebreaking with intent to commit an
offence to the prosecutor unknown but the offence of
housebreaking with intent to commit a specific offence, the
accused may be found guilty of the offence so proved.
263. Statutory offence of breaking and entering or of entering

premises.(l) If the evidence on a charge for the statutory offence in any
province of breaking and entering or of the entering of any
premises with intent to commit an offence specified in the
charge, does not prove the offence of breaking and entering or
of entering the premises with intent to commit the offence so
specified but the offence of breaking and entering or of
entering the premises with intent to commit an offence other
than the offence so specified or of breaking and entering or
of entering the premises with intent to commit an offence
unknown, the accused may be found guilty(a) of the offence so proved; or
(b) where it is a statutory offence within the province in
question to be in or upon any dwelling, premises or
enclosed area between sunset and sunrise without lawful
excuse, of such offence, if such be the facts proved.
(2) If the evidence on a charge for the statutory offence in any
province of breaking and entering or of the entering of any
premises with intent to commit an offence to the prosecutor
unknown, does not prove the offence of breaking and entering
or of entering the premises with intent to commit an offence
to the prosecutor unknown but the offence of breaking and
entering or of entering the premises with intent to commit a
specific offence, the accused may be found guilty of the
offence so proved.
264. Theft.-
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146
(1)
(2)
If the evidence on a charge of theft does not prove the

offence of theft, but(a) the offence of receiving stolen property knowing it to
have been stolen;
(b) an offence under section 36 or 37 of the General Law
Amendment Act, 1955 (Act 62 of 1955);
(c) an offence under section 1 of the General Law Amendment
Act, 1956 (Act 50 of 1956); or
(d) in the case of criminal proceedings in the territory, an
offence under section 6, 7 or 8 of the General Law
Amendment Ordinance, 1956 (Ordinance 12 of 1956),
If a charge of theft alleges that the property referred to
therein was stolen on one occasion and the evidence proves
that the property was stolen on different occasions, the
accused may be convicted of the theft of such property as if
it had been stolen on that one occasion.
265. Receiving stolen property knowing it to have been stolen.If the evidence on a charge of receiving stolen property knowing it
to have been stolen does not prove that offence, but(a) the offence of theft;
(b) an offence under section 37 of the General Law Amendment Act,
1955 (Act 62 of 1955); or
(c) in the case of criminal proceedings in the territory, an
offence under section 7 of the General Law Amendment
Ordinance, 1956 (Ordinance 12 of 1956),
266. Assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.If the evidence on a charge of assault with intent to do grievous
bodily harm does not prove the offence of assault with intent to do
grievous bodily harm but the offence of(a) common assault;
(b) indecent assault; or
(c) pointing a fire-arm, air-gun or air-pistol in contravention of
any law,
the accused may he found guilty of the offence so proved.
267. Common assaultIf the evidence on a charge of common assault proves the offence of
indecent assault, the accused may be found guilty of indecent
assault, or, if the evidence on such a charge does not prove the
offence of common assault but the offence of pointing a fire-arm,
air-gun or air-pistol in contravention of any law, the accused may be
found guilty of that offence.
268. Statutory unlawful carnal intercourse.If the evidence on a charge of unlawful carnal intercourse or
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147
attempted
unlawful
carnal
intercourse with another person
in contravention of any statute does not prove that offence but(a) the offence of indecent assault;
(b) the offence of common assault; or
(c) the statutory offence of(i)
committing an immoral or indecent act with such other
person;
(ii)
soliciting, enticing or importuning such other person to
have unlawful carnal intercourse;
(iii)
soliciting, enticing or importuning such other person to
commit an immoral or indecent act; or
(iv)
conspiring with such other person to have unlawful carnal
intercourse,
269. Sodomy.If the evidence on a charge of sodomy or attempted sodomy does not
prove the offence of sodomy or, as the case may be, attempted
sodomy, but the offence of indecent assault or common assault, the
accused may be found guilty of the offence so proved.
270. Offences not specified in this Chapter.If the evidence on a charge for any offence not referred to in the
preceding sections of this Chapter does not prove the commission of
the offence so charged but proves the commission of an offence
which by reason of the essential elements of that offence is
included in the offence so charged, the accused may be found guilty
of the offence so proved.
CHAPTER 27
PREvious CONVICTIONS
271. Previous convictions may be proved.(l) The prosecution may, after an accused has been convicted but
before sentence has been imposed upon him, produce to the
court for admission or denial by the accused a record of
previous convictions alleged against the accused.
(2) The court shall ask the accused whether he admits or denies
any previous conviction referred to in subsection (1).
(3) If the accused denies such previous conviction, the
prosecution may tender evidence that the accused was so
previously convicted.
(4) If the accused admits such previous conviction or such
previous conviction is proved against the accused, the court
shall take such conviction into account when imposing any
sentence in respect of the offence of which the accused has
been convicted.
272. Finger-print record prima facie evidence of conviction.-
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148
When a previous conviction may be proved under any provision of

this Act, a record, photograph or document which relates to a
finger-print and which purports to emanate from the officer
commanding the South African Criminal Bureau or, in the case of any
other country, from any officer having charge of the criminal
records of the country in question, shall, whether or not such
record, photograph or document was obtained under any law or
against the wish or the will of the person concerned, be admissible
in evidence at criminal proceedings upon production thereof by a
police official having the custody thereof, and shall be prima
facie proof of the facts contained therein.
273. Evidence of further particulars relating to previous
conviction.Whenever any court in criminal proceedings requires particulars or
further particulars or clarification of any previous conviction
admitted by or proved against an accused at such proceedings(a) any telegram purporting to have been sent by the officer
commanding the South African Criminal Bureau or by any court
within the Republic; or
(b) any document purporting to be certified as correct by the
officer referred to in paragraph (a) or by any registrar or
clerk of any court within the Republic or by any officer in
charge of any prison within the Republic,
and which purports to furnish such particulars or such
clarification, shall, upon the mere production thereof at the
relevant proceedings be admissible as prima facie proof of the
facts contained therein.
CHAPTER 28
SENTENCE
274. Evidence on sentence.(l) A court may, before passing sentence, receive such evidence as
it thinks fit in order to inform itself as to the proper
sentence to be passed.
(2) The accused may address the court on any evidence received
under subsection (1), as well as on the matter of the
sentence, and thereafter the prosecution may likewise address
the court.
275. Sentence by judicial officer other than judicial officer who
convicts.If sentence is not passed upon an accused forthwith upon conviction
in a lower court, or if, by reason of any decision or order of a
superior court on appeal, review or otherwise, it is necessary to
add to or vary any sentence passed in a lower court or to pass
sentence afresh in such court, any judicial officer of that court
1995
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149
may, in the absence of the

judicial officer who convicted
the accused or passed the sentence, as the case may be, and after
consideration of the evidence recorded and in the presence of the
accused, pass sentence on the accused or take such other steps as
the judicial officer who is absent, could lawfully have taken in
the proceedings in question if he had not been absent.
276. Nature of punishments.(l) Subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law and of
the common law, the following sentences may be passed upon a
person convicted of an offence, namely(a) the sentence of death;
(b) imprisonment;
(c) periodical imprisonment;
(d) declaration as an habitual criminal;
(e) committal to any institution established by law;
(f) a fine;
(g) a whipping.
(2) Save as is otherwise expressly provided by this Act, no
provision thereof shall be construed(a) as authorizing any court to impose any sentence other
than or any sentence in excess of the sentence which that
court may impose in respect of any offence; or
(b) as derogating from any authority specially conferred upon
any court by any law to impose any other punishment or to
impose any forfeiture in addition to any other
punishment.
277. When sentence of death is a competent sentence.(l) Sentence of death may be passed by a superior court only and(a) shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (2), be
passed upon a person convicted of murder;
(b) may be passed upon a person convicted of treason,
kidnapping, child-stealing or rape;
(c) may be passed upon a person convicted of(i) robbery or attempted robbery; or
(ii) any offence, whether at common law or under any
statute,
of
housebreaking
or
attempted
housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, if
the court finds aggravating circumstances to have
been present.
(2) Where a woman is convicted of the murder of her newly born
child or where a person under the age of eighteen years is
convicted of murder or where the court, on convicting a person
of murder, is of the opinion that there are extenuating
circumstances, the court may impose any sentence other than
the death sentence.
278. Sentence of death upon pregnant woman.-
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150
(l)
(2)
(3)
When sentence of death is passed upon a woman, she may at

any time after the passing of the sentence apply for an order
to stay execution on the ground that she is quick with child.
If such an application is made, the court shall direct that
one or more duly registered medical practitioners shall
examine the woman in a private place, either together or
successively, to ascertain whether she is quick with child or
not.
If upon the report of any of them on oath it appears that the
woman is quick with child, the court shall order that the
execution of the sentence be stayed until she is delivered of
a child or until it is no longer possible in the course of
nature that she should be so delivered.
279. Manner of carrying out death sentence.(l) (a) As soon as practicable after a sentence of death has been
passed, the judge who passed the sentence or any other
judge of the court in question shall issue a warrant to
the sheriff or his deputy for the execution of the
sentence.
(b) The said warrant shall not be executed until the Minister
has in writing signed by himself given notice to the
sheriff or his deputy that the State President has
decided not to extend mercy to the person under sentence
of death.
(2) As soon after the receipt by the sheriff or his deputy of the
notice referred to in subsection (1) (b) as fitting
arrangements for the carrying out of the sentence can be made
in or in the precincts of a prison appointed under section 35
(1) of the Prisons Act, 1959 (Act 8 of 1959), the sheriff or a
deputy sheriff shall execute the warrant issued to him under
subsection (1) (a): Provided that the sheriff or deputy
sheriff shall not execute the said warrant if at any time the
Minister by written notice under his hand notifies the sheriff
or the deputy sheriff that the State President has decided to
extend mercy to the person under sentence of death, and such
notice shall for all purposes be deemed to be a cancellation
of the said warrant.
(3) The Minister may, either generally or in any particular case,
direct that any sentence of death shall be executed at a
designated place appointed under section 35 (1) of the said
Prisons Act, 1959, which is situate within the area of
jurisdiction of a court other than the court which passed such
sentence, and thereupon the sheriff or his deputy appointed
for the area wherein such place is situated shall act in
accordance with the provisions of subsections (1) and (2).
(4) The manner of execution of the sentence of death shall be that
the person sentenced to death shall be hanged by the neck
until he is dead.
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280. Cumulative or concurrent sentences.(l) When a person is at any trial convicted of two or more
offences or when a person under sentence or undergoing
sentence is convicted of another offence, the court may
sentence him to such several punishments for such offences or,
as the case may be, to the punishment for such other offence,
as the court is competent to impose.
(2) Such punishments, when consisting of imprisonment, shall
commence the one after the expiration, setting aside or
remission of the other, in such order as the court may direct,
unless the court directs that such punishments shall run
concurrently.
281. Interpretation of certain provisions in laws relating to
imprisonment and fines.In construing any provision of any law (not being an Act of
Parliament passed on or after the first day of September, 1959, or
anything enacted by virtue of powers conferred by such an Act), in
so far as it prescribes or confers the powers to prescribe a
punishment for any offence, any reference in that law(a) to imprisonment with or without any form of labour, shall be
construed as a reference to imprisonment only;
(b) to any period of imprisonment of less than three months which
may not be exceeded in imposing or prescribing a sentence of
imprisonment, shall be construed as a reference to a period of
imprisonment of three months;
(c) to any fine of less than fifty rand which may not be exceeded
in imposing or prescribing a fine, shall be construed as a
reference to a fine of fifty rand.
282. Antedating sentence of imprisonmentWhenever any sentence of imprisonment imposed on any person on
conviction for an offence is set aside on appeal or review and any
other sentence of imprisonment is thereafter imposed on such person
in respect of such offence, the latter sentence may, if the court
imposing it is satisfied that the person concerned has served any
part of the first-mentioned sentence, be antedated by the court to
a specified date which shall not be earlier than the date on which
such first-mentioned sentence was imposed, and thereupon such
latter sentence shall be deemed to have been imposed on the date so
specified.
283. Discretion of court as to punishment.
(l) A person liable to a sentence of imprisonment for life or for
any period, may be sentenced to imprisonment for any shorter
period, and a person liable to a sentence of a fine of any
amount may be sentenced to a fine of any lesser amount.
(2) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply with
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reference to any offence for which a minimum penalty is

prescribed in the law creating the offence or prescribing a
penalty therefore.
284. Minimum period of imprisonment four days.No person shall be sentenced by any court to imprisonment for a
period of less than four days unless the sentence is that the
person concerned be detained until the rising of the court.
285. Periodical imprisonment.(1) A court convicting a person of any offence, other than an
offence in respect of which any law prescribes a minimum
punishment, may, in lieu of any other punishment, sentence
such person to undergo in accordance with the laws relating to
prisons, periodical imprisonment for a period of not less than
one hundred hours and not more than two thousand hours.
(2) The court which imposes a sentence of periodical imprisonment
upon any person shall cause to be served upon him a notice in
writing directing him to surrender himself on a date and at a
time specified in the notice or (if prevented from doing so by
circumstances beyond his control) as soon as possible
thereafter, to the officer in charge of a place so specified,
whether within or outside the area of jurisdiction of the
court, for the purpose of undergoing such imprisonment.
(3) A copy of the said notice shall serve as a warrant for the
reception into custody of the convicted person by the said
officer.
(4) Any person who(a) without lawful excuse, the proof whereof shall be on such
person, fails to comply with a notice issued under
subsection (2); or
(b) when surrendering himself for the purpose of undergoing
periodical imprisonment, is under the influence of
intoxicating liquor or drugs or the like; or
(c) impersonates or falsely represents himself to be a person
who has been directed to surrender himself for the
purpose of undergoing periodical imprisonment,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months.
(5) If, before the expiration of any sentence of periodical
imprisonment imposed upon any person for any offence, such
person is undergoing a punishment of any other form of
detention imposed by any court, any magistrate before whom
such person is brought, shall set aside the unexpired portion
of the sentence of periodical imprisonment and, after
considering the evidence recorded in respect of such offence,
may impose in lieu of such unexpired portion any punishment
within the limits of his jurisdiction and of any punishment
prescribed by any law as a punishment for such offence.
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153
286. Declaration of certain persons as habitual criminals.(l) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), a superior court
or a regional court which convicts a person of one or more
offences, may, if it is satisfied that the said person
habitually commits offences and that the community should be
protected against him, declare him a habitual criminal, in
lieu of the imposition of any other punishment for the offence
or offences of which he is convicted.
(2) No person shall be declared a habitual criminal(a) if he is under the age of eighteen years; or
(b) for an offence in respect of which it is compulsory to
impose the sentence of death; or
(c) if in the opinion of the court the offence warrants the
imposition of the sentence of death or punishment which
by itself or together with any punishment warranted or
required in respect of any other offence of which the
accused is simultaneously convicted, would entail
imprisonment for a period exceeding fifteen years.
(3) A person declared a habitual criminal shall be dealt with in
accordance with the laws relating to prisons.
287. Imprisonment in default of payment of fine.(l) Whenever a court convicts a person of any offence punishable
by a fine (whether with or without any other direct or
alternative punishment), it may, in imposing a fine upon such
person, impose, as a punishment alternative to such fine, a
sentence of imprisonment of any period within the limits of
its jurisdiction: Provided that, subject to the provisions of
subsection (3), the period of such alternative sentence of
imprisonment shall not, either alone or together with any
period of imprisonment imposed as a direct punishment, exceed
the longest period of imprisonment prescribed by any law as a
punishment (whether direct or alternative) for such offence.
(2) Whenever a court has imposed upon any person a fine without an
alternative sentence of imprisonment and the fine is not paid
in full or is not recovered in full in terms of section 288,
the court which passed sentence on such person (or if that
court was a circuit local division of the Supreme Court, then
the provincial or local division of the Supreme Court within
whose area of jurisdiction such sentence was imposed) may
issue a warrant directing that he be arrested and brought
before the court, which may thereupon sentence him to such
term of imprisonment as could have been imposed upon him as an
alternative punishment in terms of subsection (1).
(3) Whenever by any law passed before the date of commencement of
the General Law Amendment Act, 1935 (Act 46 of 1935), a court
is empowered to impose upon a person convicted by such court
of an offence, a sentence of imprisonment (whether direct or
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as an alternative to a fine)
of
a
duration
proportionate to the sum of a fine, that court may,
notwithstanding such law, impose upon any person convicted of
such offence in lieu of a sentence of imprisonment which is
proportionate as aforesaid, any sentence of imprisonment
within the limits of the jurisdiction of the court.
288. Recovery of fine.
(l) (a) Whenever a person is sentenced to pay a fine, the court
passing the sentence may, in its discretion, issue a
warrant addressed to the sheriff or messenger of the
court authorizing him to levy the amount of the fine by
attachment and sale of any movable property belonging to
such person although the sentence directs that, in
default of payment of the fine, such person shall be
imprisoned.
(b) The amount which may be levied shall be sufficient to
cover, in addition to the fine, the costs and expenses of
the warrant and of the attachment and sale thereunder.
(2) If the proceeds of the sale of the movable property are
insufficient to satisfy the amount of the fine and the costs
and expenses aforesaid, a superior court may issue a warrant,
or, in the case of a sentence by any lower court, authorize
such lower court to issue a warrant for the levy against the
immovable property of such person of the amount unpaid.
(3) When a person is sentenced only to a fine or, in default of
payment of the fine, imprisonment and the court issues a
warrant under this section, it may suspend the execution of
the sentence of imprisonment and may release the person upon
his executing a bond with or without sureties as the court
thinks fit, on condition that he appears before such court or
some other court on the day appointed for the return of such
warrant, such day being not more than fifteen days from the
time of executing the bond, and in the event of the amount of
the fine not being recovered, the sentence of imprisonment may
be carried into execution forthwith or may be suspended as
before for a further period or periods of not more than
fifteen days, as the court may deem fit.
(4) In any case in which an order for the payment of money is made
on non-recovery whereof imprisonment may be ordered, and the
money is not paid forthwith, the court may require the person
ordered to make such payment to enter into a bond as
prescribed in subsection (3), and in default of his doing so,
may at once pass sentence of imprisonment as if the money had
not been recovered.
289. Court may enforce payment of line.Where a person is sentenced to pay a fine, whether with or without
an alternative period of imprisonment, the court may in its dis-
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155
cretion, without prejudice to any other power under this Act

relating to the payment of a fine, enforce payment of the fine,
whether as to the whole or any part thereof(a) by the seizure of money upon the person concerned;
(b) if money is due or is to become due as salary or wages from
any employer of the person concerned(i) by from time to time ordering such employer to deduct a
specified amount from the salary or wages so due and to
pay over such amount to the clerk of the court in
question; or
(ii) by ordering such employer to deduct from time to time a
specified amount from the salary or wages so due and to
pay over such amount to the clerk of the court in
question.
290. Manner of dealing with convicted juvenile.
(l) Any court in which a person under the age of eighteen years is
convicted of any offence may, instead of imposing punishment
upon him for that offence(a) order that he be placed under the supervision of a
probation officer; or
(b) order that he be placed in the custody of any suitable
person designated in the order; or
(c) deal with him both in terms of paragraphs (a) and (b); or
(d) order that he be sent to a reform school as defined in
section 1 of the Children's Act, 1960 (Act 33 of 1960).
(2) Any court which sentences a person under the age of eighteen
years to a fine or a whipping may, in addition to imposing
such punishment, deal with him in terms of paragraph (a), (b),
(c) or (d) of subsection (I).
(3) Any court in which a person of or over the age of eighteen
years but under the age of twenty-one years is convicted of
any offence, other than murder with reference to which(a) the person concerned is not a woman convicted of the
murder of her newly born child; or
(b) there are, in the opinion of the court, no extenuating
circumstances, may, instead of imposing punishment upon
him for that offence, order that he be placed under the
supervision of a probation officer or that he be sent to
a reform school as defined in section 1 of the Children's
Act, 1960.
(4) A court which in terms of this section orders that any person
be sent to a reform school, may direct that such person be
kept in a place of detention or a place of safety as defined
in section 1 of the Children's Act, 1960, until such time as
the order can be put into effect: Provided that any such
person kept in a place of safety shall be transferred to a
place of detention when it appears that the order in question
cannot within three weeks be put into effect.
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156
291. Period of supervision, custody or retention of juveniles.(l) Any person who has been dealt with in terms of section 290
shall remain under the supervision under which or in the
custody in which he was placed or in the reform school to
which he was sent, or under or in the supervision, custody or
reform school to which he may lawfully be transferred(a) if at the time of the making of the order of the court he
was under the age of sixteen years, until he attains the
age of eighteen years;
(b) if at the said time he was over the age of sixteen years
but under the age of eighteen years, until he attains the
age of twenty-one years;
(c) if at the said time he was over the age of eighteen
years, until he attains the age of twenty-three years,
or, in any case, until he is discharged or released on licence
in accordance with the provisions of the Children's Act, 1960
(Act 33 of 1960), before having attained the said age.
(2) After the expiration of the period of retention of a person in
a reform school, he shall remain under the protection of the
management of that reform school(a) if at the time of the making of the order of the court he
was under the age of sixteen years, until he attains the
age of twenty-one years;
(b) if at the said time he was over the age of sixteen years
but under the age of eighteen years, until he attains the
age of twenty-three years;
(c) if at the said time he was over the age of eighteen
years, until he attains the age of twenty-five years,
or, in any case, until he is discharged from that protection
in accordance with the provisions of the said Children's Act,
1960, before having attained the said age.
(3) The Minister to whom the administration of the provisions of
the said Children's Act, 1960, has been assigned or any person
acting under his authority, may, if he deems it necessary,
order that any person detained in a reform school whose period
of retention has expired or is about to expire, return to or
remain in that reform school for such further period as he may
fix and may from time to time by further order extend that
period: Provided that no such order or further order shall
extend the period of retention of the person concerned beyond
the date of expiration of his period of protection.
(4) The expressions "period of retention" and "period of
protection" in this section shall bear the meanings assigned
thereto in section 1 of the said Children's Act, 1960, with
reference to this section.
292. Discretion of court with regard to whipping and place where
whipping is to be inflicted.-
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157
(l)
(2)
(3)
(4)
When a court may sentence a person

to
a
whipping,
the
whipping may be imposed in addition to or in substitution of
any other punishment to which such person may otherwise be
sentenced.
Except as provided in section 294, a whipping by means of a
cane only may be imposed and the number of strokes, which may
not exceed seven, shall, subject to the provisions of any
other law, be in the discretion of the court which shall
specify in the sentence the number of strokes imposed.
Except where a whipping is imposed under section 294, no
person shall be sentenced to a whipping more than two times or
within a period of three years of the last occasion on which
he was sentenced to a whipping.
Subject to the provisions of section 294, the punishment of a
whipping shall be inflicted in private in a prison and in
accordance with the laws governing prisons.
293. Offences for which whipping may be imposed.A whipping may be imposed only in the case of a conviction for(a)
(i)
robbery or rape or assault of an aggravated or
indecent nature or with intent to do grievous
bodily harm;
(ii)
breaking or entering any premises with intent to
commit an offence, whether under the common law or
under any statutory provision, theft of a motor
vehicle
(except
where
the
accused
obtained
possession of the motor vehicle with the consent of
the owner thereof) or theft of goods from a motor
vehicle or part thereof, where the said motor
vehicle or the said part was properly locked;
(iii)
receiving stolen property knowing it to be stolen
property:
(iv)
bestiality or an act of gross indecency committed
by one male person with another;
(b) an attempt to commit any offence referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) culpable homicide; or
(d) any statutory offence for which a whipping may be imposed as a
punishment.
294. Whipping of juvenile males.(l) If a male person under the age of twenty-one years is
convicted of any offence, whether such conviction is a first
or a subsequent conviction, the court convicting him may, in
lieu of any other punishment, sentence him to receive in
private a moderate correction of a whipping not exceeding
seven strokes, which shall be administered by such person and
in such place and with such instrument as the court may
determine.
(2) The whipping shall be inflicted over the buttocks, which shall
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(3)
(4)
(5)
not be exposed during the infliction but shall be covered

with normal attire.
A parent or, as the case may be, a guardian of the person
concerned may be present when the whipping is inflicted, and
the court shall advise such parent or guardian, if present at
the court proceedings when the whipping is imposed, of his
right to be present at the infliction.
A whipping under this section shall not be inflicted unless a
district surgeon or an assistant district surgeon has examined
the person concerned and has certified that he is in a fit
state of health to undergo the whipping.
If a district surgeon or assistant district surgeon certifies
that the person concerned is not in a fit state to receive the
whipping or any part thereof, the person appointed by the
court to execute the sentence shall forthwith submit the
certificate to the court which passed the sentence or to a
court having like jurisdiction, and such court may thereupon,
if satisfied that the person concerned is not in a fit state
to receive the whipping or any part thereof amend the sentence
as it deems fit.
295. Limitations with regard to whipping.(l) No female and no person of or over the age of thirty years
shall be sentenced by any court to the punishment of a
whipping.
(2) A whipping shall not be imposed by any court if it is proved
that the existence of some psychoneurotic or psychopathic
condition contributed towards the commission of the offence.
296. Committal to rehabilitation centre.(l) A court convicting any person of any offence may, in addition
to or in lieu of any sentence in respect of such offence,
order that the person be detained at a rehabilitation centre
established under the Abuse of Dependence-producing Substances
and Rehabilitation Centres Act, 1971 (Act 41 of 1971), if the
court is satisfied from the evidence or from any other
information placed before it, which shall include the report
of a probation officer, that such person is a person as is
described in section 29 (1) of the said Act, and such order
shall for the purposes of the said Act be deemed to have been
made under section 30 thereof: Provided that such order shall
not be made in addition to any sentence of imprisonment
(whether direct or as an alternative to a fine) unless the
operation of the whole of such sentence is suspended.
Proviso to Section 296(1) amended by 18 of the Criminal Procedure
(2)
1995
In applying the provisions of this section with reference to a
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159
Coloured person as defined

in
the
Coloured
Persons
Rehabilitation Centres Law, 1971, of the Coloured Persons
Representative Council of the Republic of South Africa (Law 1
of 1971), any reference to a provision of the Abuse of
Dependence-producing Substances and Rehabilitation Centres
Act, 1971, shall be construed as a reference to a
corresponding provision of the said Coloured Persons
Rehabilitation Centres Law, 1971.
297. Conditional or unconditional postponement or suspension of
sentence, and caution or reprimand.(l) Where a court convicts a person of any offence, other than an
offence in respect of which any law prescribes a minimum
punishment, the court may in its discretion(a) postpone for a period not exceeding five years the
passing of sentence and release the person concerned(i) on one or more conditions, whether as to(aa) compensation;
(bb) the rendering to the person aggrieved of some
specific benefit or service in lieu of
compensation for damage or pecuniary loss;
(cc) the rendering of some service for the benefit
of the community;
(dd) submission to instruction or treatment;
(ee) submission to the supervision or control
(including control over the earnings or other
income of the person concerned) of a probation
officer as defined in the Children's Act, 1960
(Act 33 of 1960);
(ff) the compulsory attendance or residence at some
specified centre for a specified purpose;
(gg) good conduct;
(hh) any other matter,
and order such person to appear before the court at
the expiration of the relevant period; or
(ii) unconditionally, and order such person to appear
before the court, if called upon before the
expiration of the relevant period; or
(b) pass sentence but order the operation of the whole or any
part thereof to be suspended for a period not exceeding
five years on any condition referred to in paragraph (a)
(i) which the court may specify in the order; or
(c) discharge the person concerned with a caution or
reprimand, and such discharge shall have the effect of an
acquittal, except that the conviction shall be recorded
as a previous conviction.
(2) Where a court has under paragraph (a) (i) of subsection (1)
postponed the passing of sentence and the court, whether
differently constituted or not, is at the expiration of the
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159
160
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
1995
relevant period satisfied

that the person concerned has
observed the conditions imposed under that paragraph, the
court shall discharge him without passing sentence, and such
discharge shall have the effect of an acquittal, except that
the conviction shall be recorded as a previous conviction.
Where a court has under paragraph (a) (ii) of subsection (1)
unconditionally postponed the passing of sentence, and the
person concerned has not at the expiration of the relevant
period been called upon to appear before the court, such
person shall be deemed to have been discharged with a caution
under subsection (1) (c).
Where a court convicts a person of an offence in respect of
which any law prescribes a minimum punishment, the court may
in its discretion pass sentence but order the operation of a
part thereof to be suspended for a period not exceeding five
years on any condition referred to in paragraph (a) (i) of
subsection (1).
Where a court imposes a fine, the court may suspend the
payment thereof(a) until the expiration of a period not exceeding five
years; or
(b) on condition that the fine is paid over a period not
exceeding five years in instalments and at intervals
determined by the court.
(a) A court which sentences a person to a term of
imprisonment as an alternative to a fine or, if the court
which has imposed such sentence was a regional court or a
magistrate's court, a magistrate, may, where the fine is
not paid, at any stage before the expiration of the
period of imprisonment, suspend the operation of the
sentence and order the release of the person concerned on
such conditions relating to the payment of the fine or
such portion thereof as may still be due, as to the court
or, in the case of a sentence imposed by a regional court
or magistrate's court, the magistrate, may seem
expedient, including a condition that the person
concerned take up a specified employment and that the
fine due be paid in instalments by the person concerned
take up a specific employment and that the fine due be
paid in instalments by the person concerned or his
employer:
Provided that the power conferred by this
subsection shall not be exercised by a magistrate where
the court which has imposed the sentence has so ordered.
(b) A court which has suspended a sentence under paragraph
(a), whether differently constituted or not, or any court
of equal or superior jurisdiction, may at any time(i) further suspend the operation of the sentence on
any existing or additional conditions which to the
court may seem expedient; or
160
161
(ii) cancel the order

person concerned
sentence.
of suspension and recommit the

to serve the balance of the

(7)
(8)
(9)
1995
A court which has(a) postponed the passing of sentence under paragraph (a) (i)
of subsection (1);
(b) suspended the operation of a sentence under subsection
(1) (b) or (4); or
(c) suspended the payment of a fine under subsection (5),
whether differently constituted or not, or any court of equal
or superior jurisdiction may, if satisfied that the person
concerned has through circumstances beyond his control been
unable to comply with any relevant condition, or for any other
good and sufficient reason, further postpone the passing of
sentence or further suspend the operation of a sentence or the
payment of a fine, as the case may be, subject to any existing
condition or such further conditions as could have been
imposed at the time of such postponement or suspension.
A court which has(a) postponed the passing of sentence under paragraph (a) (i)
of subsection (1); or
(b) suspended the operation of a sentence under subsection
(1) (b) or under subsection (4),
on condition that the person concerned render some service for
the benefit of the community or that he submit himself to
instruction or treatment or to the supervision or control of a
probation officer or that he attend or reside at a specified
centre for a specified purpose, may, whether or not the court
is constituted differently than it was at the time of such
postponement or suspension, at any time during the period of
postponement or suspension on good cause shown amend any such
condition or substitute any other competent condition for such
condition.
(a) If any condition imposed under this section is not
complied with, the person concerned may upon the order of
any court be arrested or detained and, where the condition in question(i) was imposed under paragraph (a) (i) of subsection
(1), be brought before the court which postponed
the passing of sentence or before any court of
equal or superior jurisdiction; or
(ii) was imposed under subsection (1) (b), (4) or (5),
be brought before the court which suspended the
operation of the sentence 9r, as the case may be,
161
162
(b)
the payment of the fine, or any court of equal

or superior jurisdiction,
and such court, whether or not it is, in the case of a
court other than a court of equal or superior
jurisdiction, constituted differently than it was at the
time of such postponement or suspension, may then, in the
case of subparagraph (i), impose any competent sentence,
which may, where the person concerned is under the age of
twenty-one years, include an order under the provisions
of section 290, or, in the case of subparagraph (ii), put
into operation the sentence which was suspended.
A person who has been called upon under paragraph (a)
(ii) of subsection (1) to appear before the court may,
upon the order of the court in question, be arrested and
brought before that court, and such court, whether or not
constituted differently than it was at the time of the
postponement of sentence, may impose upon such person any
competent sentence.
298. Sentence may be corrected.When by mistake a wrong sentence is passed, the court may, before
or immediately after it is recorded, amend the sentence.
299. Warrant for the execution of sentence.A warrant for the execution of any sentence may be issued by the
judge or judicial officer who passed the sentence or by any other
judge or judicial officer of the court in question, or, in the case
of a regional court, by any magistrate, and such warrant shall
commit the person concerned to the prison for the magisterial
district in which such person is sentenced.
CHAPTER 29
COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION
300. Court may award compensation where offence causes damage to or
loss of property.(l) Where a person is convicted by a superior court, a regional
court or a magistrate's court of an offence which has caused
damage to or loss of property (including money) belonging to
some other person, the court in question may, upon the
application of the injured person or of the prosecutor acting
on the instructions of the injured person, forthwith award the
injured person compensation for such damage or loss: Provided
that(a) a regional court or a magistrate's court shall not make
any such award if the compensation applied for exceeds R
20 000 or R 5 000, respectively.
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163
Section 300(1) substituted by 20

of
the
Criminal
Procedure
(b)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
where a person is convicted under section 25 (1) of the

Children's Act, 1960 (Act 33 of 1960), of having conduced
to the commission of an offence, the court may make the
award of compensation against such person notwithstanding
that the injured person has not applied for compensation.
For the purposes of determining the amount of the compensation
or the liability of the convicted person therefore, the court
may refer to the evidence and the proceedings at the trial or
hear further evidence either upon affidavit or orally.
(a) An award made under this section(i) by a magistrate's court, shall have the effect of a
civil judgment of that court;
(ii) by a regional court, shall have the effect of a
civil judgment of the magistrate's court of the
district in which the relevant trial took place.
(b) Where a superior court makes an award under this section,
the registrar of the court shall forward a certified copy
of the award to the clerk of the magistrate's court
designated by the presiding judge or, if no such court is
designated, to the clerk of the magistrate's court in
whose area of jurisdiction the offence in question was
committed, and thereupon such award shall have the effect
of a civil judgment of that magistrate's court.
Where money of the person convicted is taken from him upon his
arrest, the court may order that payment be made forthwith
from such money in satisfaction or on account of the award.
(a) A person in whose favour an award has been made under
this section may within sixty days after the date on
which the award was made, in writing renounce the award
by lodging with the registrar or clerk of the court in
question a document of renunciation and, where
applicable, by making a repayment of any moneys paid
(b) Where the person concerned does not renounce an award
under paragraph (a) within the period of sixty days, no
person against whom the award was made shall be liable at
the suit of the person concerned to any other civil
proceedings in respect of the injury for which the award
was made.
301. Compensation to innocent purchaser of property unlawfully

obtained.Where a person is convicted of theft or of any other offence
whereby he has unlawfully obtained any property, and it appears to
the court on the evidence that such person sold such property or
part thereof to another person who had no knowledge that the
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163
164
property
was
stolen
or
unlawfully obtained, the court
may, on the application of such purchaser and on restitution of
such property to the owner thereof, order that, out of any money of
such convicted person taken from him on his arrest, a sum not
exceeding the amount paid by the purchaser be returned to him.
CHAPTER 30
REVIEWS AND APPEALS IN CASES OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN LOWER
COURTS
302. Sentences subject to review in the ordinary course.(l) (a)
Any sentence imposed by a magistrate's court(i)
which, in the case of imprisonment (including
detention in a reform school as defined in
section 1 of the Children's Act, 1960 (Act 33
of 1960)), exceeds a period of three months,
if imposed by a judicial officer who has not
held the substantive rank of magistrate or
higher for a period of seven years, or which
exceeds a period of six months, if imposed by
a
judicial
officer
who
has
held
the
substantive rank of magistrate or higher for a
period of seven years or longer;
(ii)
which, in the case of
fine, exceeds the
amount of R 500 if imposed by a judicial
officer who has not held the substantive rank
of magistrate or higher for a period of seven
years, or which exceeds the amount of R 1 000
if imposed by a judicial officer who has held
the substantive rank of magistrate or higher
for a period of seven years or longer;
Paragraph (ii) of Section 302(1)(a) substituted by 21(a) of the
(iii)
which consists of a whipping, other than a

whipping imposed under section 294,
shall be subject in the ordinary course to review by a judge of
the provincial division having jurisdiction.
(b)
The provisions of paragraph (a) shall be suspended in
respect of an accused who has appealed against a
conviction or sentence and has not abandoned the appeal,
and shall cease to apply with reference to such an
accused when judgment is given.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (l) (a) each sentence on a separate charge shall be regarded as a
separate sentence, and the fact that the aggregate of
sentences imposed on an accused in respect of more than
one charge in the same proceedings exceeds the periods or
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amounts referred to in that

subsection,
shall
not
render those sentences subject to review in the ordinary
course;
(b)
Section 302(2)(b) deleted by 21(b) of the Criminal Procedure
(3) The provisions of subsection (1) shall only apply(a) with reference to a sentence which is imposed in respect
of an accused who was not assisted by a legal adviser;
(b) where a fine is imposed, if a sentence of imprisonment is
imposed in terms of section 287 as a punishment
alternative to such fine, and such fine is not paid or if
time is not given for the payment thereof before the
person convicted is received into a prison: Provided that
if the person convicted is at any time received into a
prison by reason of his failure to pay the fine or any
part thereof, the provisions of subsection (1) shall come
into operation in respect of the sentence in question.
303. Transmission of record.The clerk of the court in question shall within one week after the
determination of a case referred to in paragraph (a) of section 302
(1) forward to the registrar of the provincial division having
jurisdiction the record of the proceedings in the case or a copy
thereof certified by such clerk, together with such remarks as the
presiding judicial officer may wish to append thereto, and with any
written statement or argument which the person convicted may within
three days after imposition of the sentence furnish to the clerk of
the court, and such registrar shall, as soon as possible, lay the
same in chambers before a judge of that division for his
consideration.
304. Procedure on review.(l) If, upon considering the proceedings referred to in section 303
and any further information or evidence which may, by
direction of the judge, be supplied or taken by the
magistrate's court in question, it appears to the judge that
the proceedings are in accordance with justice, he shall
endorse his certificate to that effect upon the record
thereof, and the registrar concerned shall then return the
record to the magistrate's court in question.
(2) (a)
If, upon considering the said proceedings, it appears to
the judge that the proceedings are not in accordance with
justice or that doubt exists whether the proceedings are
in accordance with justice, he shall obtain from the
judicial officer who presided at the trial a statement
setting forth his reasons for convicting the accused and
for the sentence imposed, and shall thereupon lay the
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record
of
the
proceedings
and
the
said
statement before the court of the provincial division
having jurisdiction for consideration by that court as a
court of appeal: Provided that where the judge concerned
is of the opinion that the conviction or sentence imposed
is clearly not in accordance with justice and that the
person convicted may be prejudiced if the record of the
proceedings is not forthwith placed before the provincial
division having jurisdiction, the judge may lay the
record of the proceedings before that court without
obtaining the statement of the judicial officer who
presided at the trial.
(b)
Such court may at any sitting thereof hear any evidence
and for that purpose summon any person to appear and to
give evidence or to produce any document or other
article.
(c)
Such court, whether or not it has heard evidence, may,
subject to the provisions of section 312(i)
confirm, alter or quash the conviction, and in
the event of the conviction being quashed
where the accused was convicted on one of two
or more alternative charges, convict the
accused on the other alternative charge or on
one or other of the alternative charges;
(ii)
confirm, reduce, alter or set aside the
sentence or any order of the magistrate's
court;
(iii)
set aside or correct the proceedings of the
magistrate's court;
(iv)
generally give such judgment or impose such
sentence
or
make
such
order
as
the
magistrate's court ought to have given,
imposed or made on any matter which was before
it at the trial of the case in question; or
(v)
remit the case to the magistrate's court with
instructions to deal with any matter in such
manner as the provincial division may think
fit; and
(vi)
make any such order in regard to the
suspension of the execution of any sentence
against the person convicted or the admission
of such person to bail, or, generally, in
regard to any matter or thing connected with
such person or the proceedings in regard to
such person as to the court seems likely to
promote the ends of justice.
(3) If the court desires to have a question of law or of fact
arising in any case argued, it may direct such question to be
argued by the attorney-general and by such counsel as the
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court may appoint.

(4) If in any criminal case in which a magistrate's court has
imposed a sentence which is not subject to review in the
ordinary course in terms of section 302 or in which a regional
court has imposed any sentence, it is brought to the notice of
the provincial division having jurisdiction or any judge
thereof that the proceedings in which the sentence was imposed
were not in accordance with justice, such court or judge shall
have the same powers in respect of such proceedings as if the
record thereof had been laid before such court or judge in
terms of section 303 or this section.
305. Right of appearance on review in certain cases subject to
certificate of a judge.Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law contained, no
person who has been convicted by a lower court of an offence and is
undergoing imprisonment for that or any other offence, shall be
entitled to prosecute in person any proceedings for the review of
the proceedings relating to such conviction unless a judge of the
provincial division having jurisdiction has certified that there
are reasonable grounds for review.
306. Accused may set down case for argument(l) A magistrate's court imposing a sentence which under section
302 is subject to review, shall forthwith inform the person
convicted that the record of the proceedings will be
transmitted within one week, and such person may then inspect
and make a copy of such record before transmission or whilst
in the possession of the provincial division, and may set down
the case for argument before the provincial division having
jurisdiction in like manner as if the record had been returned
or transmitted to such provincial division in compliance with
any order made by it for the purpose of bringing in review the
proceedings of a magistrate's court.
(2) Whenever a case is so set down, whether the offence in question
was prosecuted at the instance of the State or at the instance
of a private prosecutor, a written notice shall be served, by
or on behalf of the person convicted, upon the attorneygeneral at his office not less than seven days before the day
appointed for the argument, setting forth the name and number
of the case, the court before which it was tried, the date for
which the case has been set down for argument and the grounds
or reasons upon which the judgment is sought to be reversed or
altered.
(3) Whether such judgment is confirmed or reversed or altered, no
costs shall in respect of the proceedings on review be payable
by the prosecution to the person convicted or by the person
convicted to the prosecution.
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307. Execution of sentence not

suspended unless bail granted.(1) Subject to the provisions of section 308, the execution of any
sentence shall not be suspended by the transmission of or the
obligation to transmit the record for review unless the court
which imposed the sentence releases the person convicted on
bail.
(2) If the court releases such person on bail, the court may(a) if the person concerned was released on bail under
section 59 or 60, extend the bail, either in the same
amount or any other amount; or
(b) if such person was not so released on bail, release him
or her on bail on condition that he or she deposits with
the clerk of the court or with a member of the prisons
service at the prison where such person is in custody or
with any police official at the place where such
convicted person is in custody, the sum of money
determined b the court in question; or
Paragraph (b) as Amended by Section 22 of the Criminal Procedure
Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985 amended by section 6 of Act 5 of
1991
(c) on good cause shown, permit such person to furnish a
guarantee, with or without sureties, that he will pay and
forfeit to the State the sum of money determined under
paragraph (b), in circumstances under which such sum, if
it had been deposited, would be forfeited to the State.
(3) It shall be a condition of the release of the person convicted
that he shall(a) at a time and place specified by the court; and
(b) upon service, in the manner prescribed by the rules of
court, of a written order upon him or at a place
specified by the court,
surrender himself in order that effect may be given to any
sentence in respect of the proceedings in question.
(4) The court may add any condition of release on bail which it may
deem necessary or advisable in the interests of justice, inter
alia, as to(a) the reporting in person by the person convicted at any
specified time and place to any specified person or
authority;
(b) any place to which such person is prohibited to go;
(c) any other matter relating to the conduct of such person.
(5) The court which considers an application for bail under this
section shall record the relevant proceedings in full,
including the details referred to in subsection (3) and any
conditions imposed under subsection (4).
(6) The provisions of sections 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 shall
mutatis mutandis apply with reference to the granting of bail
pending review.
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308. Whipping suspended pending review.(1) A whipping, other than a whipping imposed under section 294,
shall in no case be inflicted until the relevant proceedings
have been returned with the certificate referred to in section
304 (1) or the provincial division in question has confirmed
the sentence.
(2) If a person sentenced to receive a whipping is not also
sentenced to imprisonment for such a period as shall allow
time for the judge's certificate to be received before the
whipping is inflicted, such person, if he has not been
released on bail, shall be detained in custody until either
the record of the proceedings in the case has been returned as
aforesaid or the sentence has been confirmed as aforesaid.
309. Appeal from lower court by person convicted.(l) (a)
Any person convicted of any offence by any lower court
(including a person discharged after conviction), may
appeal against such conviction and against any resultant
sentence or order to the provincial division having
jurisdiction.
(b) Where, in the case of a regional court, a conviction
takes place within the area of jurisdiction of one
provincial division and any resultant sentence or order
is passed or, as the case may be, is made within the area
of jurisdiction of another provincial division, any
appeal against such conviction or such sentence or order
shall be heard by the last. mentioned provincial
division.
(2) An appeal under this section shall be noted and be prosecuted
within the period and in the manner prescribed by the rules of
court: Provided that the provincial division having
jurisdiction may in any case extend such period.
(3) The provincial division concerned shall thereupon have the
powers referred to in section 304 (2), and, unless the appeal
is based solely upon a question of law, the provincial
division shall, in addition to such powers, have the power to
increase any sentence imposed upon the appellant or to impose
any other form of sentence in lieu of or in addition to such
sentence: Provided that, notwithstanding that the provincial
division is of the opinion that any point raised might be
decided in favour of the appellant, no conviction or sentence
shall be reversed or altered by reason of any irregularity or
defect in the record or proceedings, unless it appears to such
division that a failure of justice has in fact resulted from
such irregularity or defect.
(4) When an appeal under this section is noted, the provisions of(a) section 305 shall mutatis mutandis apply in respect of
the conviction, sentence or order appealed against; and
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(b)
sections 307 and 308

shall mutatis mutandis apply
with reference to the sentence appealed against,
including a sentence of a whipping imposed under section
294.
310. Appeal from lower court by Prosecutor-General or other

prosecutor
(1) The Prosecutor-General or, if a body or a person other than the
Prosecutor-General or his or her representative, was the
prosecutor in the proceedings, then such other prosecutor, may
appeal against any decision given in favour of an accused in a
criminal case in a lower court, including (a) any resultant sentence impose or order made by such
court;
(b) any order made under section 85(2) by such court, to the
High Court, provided that an application for leave to
appeal has been granted by a single judge of that court
in chambers.
(2) (a)
A written notice of an application referred to in subsection (1) shall be lodged with the registrar of the
High Court by the Prosecutor-General of other prosecutor,
within a period of 30 days of the decision, sentence or
order of the lower court, as the case may be, or within
such extended period as may on application on good cause
be allowed.
(b) The notice shall state briefly the grounds for the
application.
(3) The Prosecutor-General or other prosecutor shall, at least 14
days before the day appointed for the hearing of the
application, cause to be served by any police official or the
deputy sheriff upon the accused in person a copy of the
notice, together with a written statement of the rights of the
accused in terms of subsection (4): Provided that if any
police official or the deputy sheriff is not able so to serve
a copy of the notice it may be served in any other manner that
may on application be allowed.
(4) The accused may, within a period of 10 days of the serving of
such notice upon him or her, or within such extended period as
may on application on good cause be allowed, lodge a written
submission with the registrar, and the registrar shall submit
it to the judge who is to hear the application, and shall send
a copy thereof to the Prosecutor-General or other prosecutor.
(5) (a)
Any decision of a judge under subsection (1) in respect
of an application for leave to appeal referred to in that
subsection, may be set aside by the Supreme Court on
application made to it by the Prosecutor-General or other
prosecutor or the accused within 21 days after the
decision was given, of within such extended period an may
on application on good cause be allowed.
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(b)
Any application to the Supreme Court under paragraph

(a) shall be submitted by petition addressed to the Chief
Justice, and thereupon the( provisions of section 316(6)
(7), (8), (9) and (10) shall app1y mutatis mutandis in
respect thereof.
(6) Subject to the provisions of this section, section 309 shall
apply mutatis mutandis with reference to an appeal in terms of
subsection (1).
(7) If an application for leave to appeal referred to in subsection
(1) or an application to set aside a decision referred to in
subsection (5) or an appeal in terms of this section brought
by the Prosecutor-General is refused or dismissed, the judge
or the court, as the case may be, may order that the State pay
the accused concerned the whole or any part of the costs to
which such accused may have been put in opposing any such
application or appeal, taxed according to the scale in civil
cases of the court concerned.
(8) For the purposes of the provisions of paragraph (a) of
subsection (I), any reference in that subsection to an accused
shall be deemed to include a reference to any person, other
than the accused, who claims that any right it vested in him
or her in respect of any matter or article declared forfeited
b) the court as if it were a decision by that court, and such
appeal may be heard either separately or jointly with an
appeal against a decision as a result whereof the declaration
of forfeiture was made.
Section 310 as amended by Section 1 of the Criminal Procedure
311. Appeal to Supreme Court.
(1) Where the High Court on appeal, whether brought by the Prosecutor-General or other prosecutor or the accused, gives a
decision in favour of the Prosecutor-General or other
prosecutor or the accused against whom the decision is given,
as the case may be may appeal to the Supreme Court which it
shall, if it decides the matter in issue in favour of the
appellant, set aside or vary the decision appealed from, and
if the matter was brought before the High Court in terms of
(a) section 309(1), reinstate the conviction, sentence or
order of the lower court appealed from either in its
original form or in such modified form as the Supreme
Court may consider desirable; or
(b) section 310(1), give such decision or take such action as
the High Court ought, in the opinion of the Supreme
Court, to have given or taken,
including any action under section 309(3).
(2) The provisions of section 316 in respect of any application or
appeal b) an accused referred to in that section shall apply
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172
mutatis mutandis with reference to an appeal in terms of

sub-section (1).
(3) If an appeal in terms of sub-section (1) or an application
referred to in subsection (2), brought by the ProsecutorGeneral is dismissed or refused, the court or judge or judges
may order that the State pay the accused concerned the whole
or any part of the costs to which such accused may have been
put in opposing the appeal or application, taxed according to
the scale in civil cases of the court concerned.
312. Review or appeal and failure to comply with subsection (1) (b)
or (2) of section 112.(l) Where a conviction and sentence under section 112 are set aside
on review or appeal on the ground that any provision of
subsection (1) (h) or subsection (2) of that section was not
complied with, or on the ground that the provisions of section
113 should have been applied, the court in question shall
remit the case to the court by which the sentence was imposed
and direct that court to comply with the provision in question
or to act in terms of section 113, as the case may be
Section 312 as Amended by Section 23 of the Criminal Procedure
Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985.
(2) When the provision referred to in subsection (1) is complied
with and the judicial officer is after such compliance not
satisfied as is required by section 112 (1) (b) or 112 (2), he
shall enter a plea of not guilty whereupon the provisions of
section 113 shall apply with reference to the matter.
313. Institution of proceedings de novo when
on appeal or review.The provisions of section 324 shall mutatis
reference to any conviction and sentence of a
set aside on appeal or review on any ground
section.
conviction set aside

mutandis apply with
lower court that are
referred to in that
314. Obtaining presence of convicted person in lower court after

setting aside of sentence or order.(l) Where a sentence or order imposed or made by a lower court is
set aside on appeal or review and the person convicted is not
in custody and the court setting aside the sentence or order
remits the matter to the lower court in order that a fresh
sentence or order may be imposed or made, the presence before
that court of the person convicted may be obtained by means of
a written notice addressed to that person calling upon him to
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appear at a stated place

and time on a stated date in
order that such sentence or order may be imposed or made.
(2) The provisions of section 54 (2) and 55 (1) and (2) shall
mutatis mutandis apply with reference to a written notice
issued under subsection (1).
CHAPTER 31
APPEALS iN CASES OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN SUPERIOR COURTS
315. Court of appeal from superior court judgments.(1)In respect of appeals and questions of law reserved in
connection with criminal cases heard by the High Court if Namibia
the court of appeal shall be the Supreme Court of Namibia.
(2) An appeal referred to in subsection (1) shall lie to the
Supreme Court of Namibia only as provided in sections 316 to 319
inclusive, and not as of right.
Section 315 as amended by Section 6 of the Appeals Amendment Act 29
of 1985 substituted by Section 4 of the Appeal Amendment Act No 10
of 2001 GG 2585 dated 25 July 2001
316. Applications for condonation, for leave to appeal and for
leave to lead further evidence.(1) An accused convicted of any offence before the High Court of
Namibia may, within a period of fourteen days of the passing of
any sentence as a result of such conviction or within such
extended period as may on application (in this section referred
to as an application for condonation) on good cause be allowed,
apply to the judge who presided at the trial or, if that judge is
not available, to any other judge of that court for leave to
appeal against his or her conviction or against any sentence or
order following thereon (in this section referred to as an
application for leave to appeal), and an accused convicted of any
offence before such court on a plea of guilty may, within the
same period, apply for leave to appeal against any sentence or
any order following thereon.
Subsection 316(1) as amended by the Appeal Amendment Act 29 of 1985
substituted by section 5(a) of the Appeals Amendment Act No 10 of
2001 [GG2528 dated 25 July 2001]
(1A) .
Section 316(1A) as inserted by the Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
and amended by section 3 of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act
26 of 1993 deleted by section 5(b) of the appeals Amendment Act No
10 of 2001 [GG2528 dated 25 July 2001]:
1995
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174
(2) Every application for leave to appeal shall set forth clearly
and specifically the grounds upon which the accused desires to
appeal: Provided that if the accused applies verbally for such
leave immediately after the passing of the sentence, he shall
state such grounds and they shall be taken down in writing and
form part of the record.
(3) When in any application under subsection (1) for leave to
appeal it is shown by affidavit(a) that further evidence which would presumably be accepted
as true, is available;
(b) that if accepted the evidence could reasonably lead to a
different verdict or sentence; and
(c) save in exceptional cases, that there is a reasonably
acceptable explanation for the failure to produce the
evidence before the close of the trial, the court hearing
the application may receive that evidence and further
evidence rendered necessary thereby, including evidence
in rebuttal called by the prosecutor and evidence called
by the court.
(4) Any evidence received in pursuance of an application under
subsection (1) for leave to appeal, shall for the purposes of
an appeal be deemed to be evidence taken or admitted at the
trial.
(5) If any application under subsection (1) for leave to appeal is
granted the registrar shall cause notice to be given
accordingly to the registrar of the Supreme Court without
delay, and shall cause to be transmitted to the said registrar
a certified copy of the record, including copies of the
evidence, whether oral or documentary, taken or admitted at
the trial, and a statement of the grounds of appeal: Provided
that, instead of the whole record, with the consent of the
accused and the Prosecutor-General, copies, (one of which
shall be certified) mat be transmitted of such parts of the
record as my be agreed upon by the Prosecutor-general and the
accused to be sufficient, in which the Supreme Court may
nevertheless call for the production of the whole record.
Section 316(5) as amended by the Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
substituted by section 5(c) of the Appeals Amendment Act No 10 of
2001 [GG2528 dated 25 July 2001]:
(6) If an application under subsection (1) for condonation or leave
to appeal is refused or if in any application for leave to
appeal an application for leave to call further evidence is
refused, the accused may, within a period of twenty-one days
of such refusal, or within such extended period as may on good
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cause
be
allowed,
by
petition addressed to the Chief
Justice submit his application for condonation or for leave to
appeal or his application for leave to call further evidence,
or all such applications, as the case may be, to the Appellate
Division, at the same time giving written notice that this has
been done to the registrar of the provincial or local division
(other than a circuit court) within whose area of jurisdiction
the trial took place, and of which the judge who presided at
the trial was a member when he so presided, and such registrar
shall forward to the Appellate Division a copy of the
application or applications in question and of the reasons for
refusing such application or applications.
Words Appellate Division substituted for the words court of
appeal by section 7 (d) of the Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
(7) The petition shall be considered in chambers by three judges of
the Appellate Division designated by the Chief Justice.
Subsection (7) amended by the Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
section 7(e)
(8) The judges considering the petition may(a) call for any further information from the judge who heard
the application for condonation or the application for
leave to appeal or the application for leave to call
further evidence or from the judge who presided at the
trial to which any such application relates;
(b) order that the application or applications in question or
any of them be argued before them at a time and place
appointed;
(c) whether they have acted under paragraph (a) or (b) or
not(i) in the case of an application for condonation,
grant or refuse the application and, if the
application is granted, direct that an application
for leave to appeal shall be made, within the
period fixed by them, to the court or judge
referred to in subsection (1) or, if they deem it
expedient, that an application for leave to appeal
shall be submitted under subsection (6) within the
period fixed by them as if it had been refused by
the court or judge referred to in subsect n (1);
(ii) in the case of an application for leave to appeal
or an application for leave to call further
evidence, grant or refuse the application or, if
they are of the opinion that the application for
leave to call further evidence should have been
granted, they may,
before deciding upon the
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(d)
application for
leave to appeal, or, in the case
where the court or judge referred to in subsection
(1) has granted the application for leave to appeal
but has refused leave to call further evidence, set
aside the refusal of the said court or judge to
grant leave to call further evidence and remit the
matter in order that further evidence may be
received in accordance with the provision of
subsection (3); or
refer the matter to the Appellate Division for
consideration, whether upon argument or otherwise, and
that Division may thereupon deal with the matter in any
manner referred to in paragraph (c).

section 7(f)
(9) The decision of the Appellate Division or of the judges thereof
considering the petition, as the case may be, to grant or
refuse any
application, shall be final.
section 7(g)
(10)
Notice shall be given to the attorney-general concerned and

the accused of the date fixed for the hearing of any
application under this section, and of any place appointed
under subsection (8) for any hearing.
316A.
Appeal from High Court by Prosecutor-General or other

prosecutor.
(1) The Prosecutor-General or, if a body or person other than the
Prosecutor-General or his or her representative, was the
prosecutor in the proceedings, then such other prosecutor, may
appeal against any decision given in favour of an accused in a
criminal case in the High Court, including (a) any resultant sentence imposed or order made by such
court;
(b) any such order made under section 85(2) by such court,
to the Supreme Court.
(2) The provisions of section 316 in respect of an application an
appeal by an accused referred to in that section, shall apply
mutatis mutandis with reference to an appeal in terms of
subsection (1).
(3) If an appeal in terms of subsection (1) or an application
referred to in subsection (1), brought by the ProsecutorGeneral is dismissed or refused, the court or judge or judges
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may order that the State pay the accused concerned the
whole or any part of the costs to which such accused may have
been put in opposing the appeal or application, taxed
according to the scale in civil cases of the court concerned.
(4) For the purposes of the provisions of paragraph (a) of
subsection (1), any reference in that subsection to an accused
shall be deemed to include a reference to any person, other
than the accused, who claims that any right is vested in him
or her in respect of any matter or article declared forfeited
by the court as if it were a decision by that court, and such
appeal may be heard either separately or jointly with an
appeal against a decision as a result whereof the declaration
of forfeiture was made.
Section 316A as inserted by Section 4 of the Criminal Procedure
317. Special entry of irregularity or illegality.(l) If an accused thinks that any of the proceedings in connection
with or during his trial before a superior court are irregular
or not according to law, he may, either during his trial or
within a period of fourteen days after his conviction or
within such extended period as may upon application (in this
section referred to as an application for condonation) on good
cause be allowed, apply for a special entry to be made on the
record (in this section referred to as an application for a
special entry) stating in what respect the proceedings are
alleged to be irregular or not according to law, and such a
special entry shall, upon such application for a special
entry, be made unless the court to which or the judge to whom
the application for a special entry is made is of the opinion
that the application is not made bona fide or that it is
frivolous or absurd or that the granting of the application
would be an abuse of the process of the court.
(2) Save as hereinafter provided, an application for condonation or
for a special entry shall be made to the judge who presided at
the trial or, if he is not available, or, if in the case of a
conviction before a circuit court the said court is not
sitting, to any other judge of the provincial or local
division of which that judge was a member when he so presided.
(3) If the accused was convicted by a special superior court, an
application for condonation or for a special entry shall be
made to that court or, if that court is not sitting, to any
judge who was a member of that court or, if no such judge is
available, to any judge of the provincial or local division
within whose area of jurisdiction the special superior court
sat.
(4) The terms of a special entry shall be settled by the court
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which or the judge who grants the application for a

special entry.
(5) If an application for condonation or for a special entry is
refused, the accused may, within a period of twenty-one days
of such refusal or within such extended period as may on good
cause be allowed, by petition addressed to the Chief Justice,
apply to the Appellate Division for condonation or for a
special entry to be made on the record stating in what respect
the proceedings are alleged to be irregular or not according
to law, as the case may be, and thereupon the provisions of
subsections (7), (8), (9) and (10) of section 316 shall
mutatis mutandis apply.
appeal by section 8 of the Appeals Amendment Act 29 of 1985
318. Appeal on special entry under section 317.(l) If a special entry is made on the record, the person convicted
may appeal to the Appellate Division against his conviction on
the ground of the irregularity or illegality stated in the
special entry if within a period of twenty-one days after
entry is so made or within such extended period as may on good
cause be allowed, notice of appeal has been given to the
registrar of the Appellate Division and to the registrar of
the provincial or local division, other than a circuit court,
within whose area of jurisdiction the trial took place, and of
which the judge who presided at the trial was a member when he
so presided.
(2) The registrar of such provincial or local division shall
forthwith after receiving such notice give notice thereof to
the attorney-general and shall transmit to the registrar of
the court of appeal a certified copy of the record, including
copies of the evidence, whether oral or documentary, taken or
admitted at the trial and of the special entry: Provided that
with the consent of the accused and the attorney-general, the
registrar concerned may, instead of transmitting the whole
record, transmit copies, one of which shall be certified, of
such parts of the record as may be agreed upon by the
attorney-general and the accused to be sufficient, in which
event the court of appeal may nevertheless call for the
production of the whole record.
319. Reservation of question of law.(1) If any question of law arises on the trial in a superior court
of any person for any offence, that court may of its own
motion or at the request either the prosecutor or the accused
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reserve that question for

the
consideration
of
the
Appellate Division and thereupon the first-mentioned court
shall state the question reserved and shall direct that it be
specially entered in the record and that a copy thereof be
transmitted to the registrar of the Appellate Division.
(2) The grounds upon which any objection to an indictment is taken
shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to be
questions of law.
(3) The provisions of sections 317 (2), (3), (4) and (5) and 318
(2) shall apply mutatis mutandis with reference to all
proceedings under this section.
320. Report of trial judge to be furnished on appeal.The judge or judges, as the case may be, of the High Court before
whom a person was on trial for any offence shall, in the case of an
appeal under section 316 or 316A or of an application for a special
entry under section 317 or the reservation of a question of law
under section 319 or an application to the court of appeal for
leave to appeal or for a special entry under this Act, furnish to
the registrar a report giving his or her opinion upon the case or
upon any point arising in the case, and such report, which shall
form part of the record, shall without delay be forwarded by the
registrar to the registrar of the court of appeal.
321. When execution of sentence may be suspended.
(1) The execution of the sentence of the High Court shall not be
suspended by reason of any appeal or by reason of any question
of law having been reserved for consideration by the court of
appeal, unless(a) the accused is sentenced to death or to a whipping in
which case the sentence shall not be executed until the
appeal or question reserved has been heard and decided;
or
(b) the superior court from which the appeal is made or by
which the question is reserved thinks fit to order that
the accused be released on bail or that he be treated as
an unconvicted prisoner until the appeal or the question
reserved has been heard and decided:
Provided that when the accused is ultimately sentenced to
imprisonment the time during which he was so released on bail
shall be excluded in computing the term for which he is so
sentenced: Provided further that when the accused has been
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detained as an unconvicted prisoner, the time during which

he
has been so detained shall be included or excluded in
computing the term for which he is ultimately sentenced,
as
the court of appeal may determine.
The words preceding paragraph (a) in subsection (1) as amended by
Section 6 of the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 26 of 1993
(2) If the court orders that the accused be released on bail, the
provisions of sections 66, 67 and 68 and of subsections (2),
(3), (4) and (5) of section 307 shall mutatis mutandis apply
with reference to bail so granted, and any reference in(a) section 66 to the court which may act under that section,
shall be deemed to be a reference to the superior court
by which the accused was released on bail;
(b) section 67 to the court which may act under that section,
shall be deemed to be a reference to the magistrate's
court within whose area of jurisdiction the accused is to
surrender himself in order that effect be given to any
sentence in respect of the proceedings in question; and
(c) section 68 to a magistrate shall be deemed to be a
reference to a judge of the superior court in question.
322. Powers of court of appeal.(1) In the case of an appeal or of any question of law reserved,
the court of appeal may(a) allow the appeal if it thinks that the judgment of the
trial court should be set aside on the ground of a wrong
decision of any question of law or that on any ground
there was a failure of justice; or
(b) give such judgment as ought to have been given at the
trial or impose such punishment as ought to have been
imposed at the trial; or
(c) make such other order as justice may require:
Provided that, notwithstanding that the court of appeal is of
opinion that any point raised might be decided in favour of
the accused, no conviction or sentence shall be set aside or
altered by reason of any irregularity or defect in the record
or proceedings, unless it appears to the court of appeal that
a failure of justice has in fact resulted from such
irregularity or defect.
Section 322(1) as amended by Section 7(a) of the Criminal Procedure
(2) Upon an appeal under section 316 or 316A against any sentence,
the court of appeal may confirm the sentence or may delete or
amend the sentence and impose such punishment as ought to have
been imposed at the trial.
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Section 322(2) as amended by Section 7(b) of the Criminal Procedure

(3) Where a conviction and sentence are set aside by the court of
appeal on the ground that a failure of justice has in fact
resulted from the admission against the accused of evidence
otherwise admissible but not properly placed before the trial
court by reason of some defect in the proceedings, the court
of appeal may remit the case to the trial court with
instructions to deal with any matter, including the hearing of
such evidence, in such manner as the court of appeal may think
fit.
(4) Where the Prosecutor-General or other prosecutor has appealed
or a question of law has been reserved on the application of a
prosecutor in the case of an acquittal, and the court of
appeal has given a decision in favour of the ProsecutorGeneral or such prosecutor, the court of appeal may order that
such of the steps referred to in section 324 be taken as the
court may direct.
Section 322(4) as amended by Section 7(c) of the Criminal Procedure
(5) The order or direction of the court of appeal shall be
transmitted by the registrar of that court to the registrar of
the court before which the case was tried, and such order or
direction shall be carried into effect and shall authorize
every person affected by it to do whatever is necessary to
carry it into effect.
(6) The powers conferred by this section upon the court of appeal
in relation to the imposition of punishments, shall include
the power to impose a punishment more severe than that imposed
by the court below or to impose another punishment in lieu of
or in addition to such punishment.
323. Appeal by Minister on behalf of person sentenced to death.
(l) If the Minister, in any case in which a person has been
sentenced to death, has any doubt as to the correctness of the
conviction in question, and such person has not in terms of
section 316 (1) applied for leave to appeal against the
conviction or has not prosecuted an appeal after leave to
appeal against the conviction has been granted or has not
submitted an application to the Chief Justice in terms of
section 316 (6) for condonation or for leave to appeal against
the conviction, the Minister may, on behalf and without the
consent of such convicted person, refer the relevant record,
together with a statement of the ground for his doubt, to the
Appellate Division whereupon that court shall consider the
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correctness
of
the conviction in the same manner as
if it were considering an appeal by the convicted person
against the conviction.
(2) The Minister shall cause(a) the attorney-general concerned to be advised of his
decision to refer the matter to the Appellate Division;
(b) counsel to be appointed to argue the matter before the
Appellate Division and the registrar of that court to be
advised of the name of such counsel; and
(c) the registrar of the court in which the conviction
occurred to transmit the requisite number of certified
copies of the relevant court record and proceedings to
the registrar of the Appellate Division and to furnish
counsel appointed under paragraph (b) with a copy
thereof.
(3) The registrar of the Appellate Division shall give notice to
the attorney-general concerned and to counsel appointed under
subsection (2) (b) of the date fixed for the consideration by
the Appellate Division of the matter referred to it under
subsection (1).
(4) The court of appeal shall in respect of a matter referred to it
under subsection (1)have the powers conferred upon it by
section 322 in respect of an appeal.
324. Institution of proceedings de novo when conviction set aside
on appeal.Whenever a conviction and sentence are set aside by the court of
appeal on the ground(a) that the court which convicted the accused was not competent to
do so; or
(b) that the indictment on which the accused was convicted was
invalid or defective in any respect; or
(c) that there has been any other technical irregularity or defect
in the procedure,
proceedings in respect of the same offence to which the conviction
and sentence referred may again be instituted either on the
original charge, suitably amended where necessary, or upon any
other charge as if the accused had not previously been arraigned,
tried and convicted: Provided that no judge or assessor before whom
the original trial took place shall take part in such proceedings.
CHAPTER 32
MERCY AND FREE PARDON
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325. Saving of power of State President to extend mercy.Nothing in this Act shall affect the power of the State President
to extend mercy to any person.
326. State President may commute sentence of death.
(l) The State President may, in any case in which he extends mercy
to any person under sentence of death, without the consent of
that person commute the sentence of death to any other
punishment provided by law.
(2) Any such commutation shall be signified in writing to the
Minister, who shall thereupon order that the person concerned
be punished in the manner directed by the State President, and
such order shall have the effect of a valid sentence passed by
the court by which such person was convicted.
327. Further evidence and free pardon or substitution of verdict by
State President(1) If any person convicted of any offence in any court or
sentenced to death in respect of any offence, has in respect
of the conviction or the sentence of death exhausted all the
recognized legal procedures pertaining to appeal or review, or
if such procedures are no longer available to him, and such
person or his legal representative addresses the State
President by way of petition, supported by relevant affidavit,
stating that further evidence has since become available which
materially affects his conviction or the sentence of death
imposed upon him, the State President may, if he considers
that such further evidence, if true, might reasonably affect
the conviction or the sentence of death, direct the Minister
to refer the petition and the relevant affidavits to the court
in which the conviction occurred or in which the sentence of
death was imposed.
(2) The court shall receive the said affidavits as evidence and may
examine and permit the examination of any witness in
connection therewith, including any witness on behalf of the
State, and to this end the provisions of this Act relating to
witnesses shall apply as if the matter before the court were a
criminal trial in that court.
(3) Unless the court directs otherwise, the presence of the
convicted person or the person sentenced to death shall not be
essential at the hearing of further evidence.
(4) (a)
The court shall assess the value of the further evidence
and advise the State President whether, and to what
extent, such evidence affects the conviction or the
sentence in question.
(b) The court shall not, as part of the proceedings of the
court, announce its finding as to the further evidence or
the effect thereof on the conviction or sentence in
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question.
(5) The court shall be constituted as it was when the conviction
occurred or, if it cannot be so constituted, the judgepresident or, as the case may be, the senior regional
magistrate or magistrate of the court in question, shall
direct how the court shall be constituted.
(6) (a)
The State President may, upon consideration of the
finding or advice of the court under subsection (4) (i)
direct that the conviction in question be
expunged from all official records by way of
endorsement on such records, and the effect of
such a direction and endorsement shall be that
the person concerned be given a free pardon as
if the conviction in question had never
occurred; or
(ii)
substitute for the conviction in question a
conviction of lesser gravity and substitute
for the punishment imposed for such conviction
any other punishment provided by law; or
(iii)
commute the sentence of death to any other
punishment provided by law.
(b) The State President shall direct the Minister to advise
the person concerned in writing of any decision taken
under paragraph (a), other than a decision taken under
subparagraph (iii) of that paragraph, and to publish a
notice in the Gazette in which such decision, other than
a decision taken under the said subparagraph (iii), is
set out.
(7) No appeal, review or other proceedings of whatever nature shall
lie in respect of(a) a refusal by the State President to issue a direction
under subsection (1) or to act upon the finding or advice
of the court under subsection (4) (a); or
(b) any aspect of the proceedings, finding or advice of the
court under this section.
CHAPTER 33
GENERAL PROVISIONS
328. Force of process.Any warrant, subpoena, summons or other process relating to any
criminal matter shall be of force throughout the Republic and may
be executed anywhere within the Republic.
329. Court process may be served or executed by police official.Any police official shall, subject to the rules of court, be as
qualified to serve or execute any subpoena or summons or other
document under this Act as if he had been appointed deputy sheriff
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185
or
deputy
messenger
or
other
like officer of the court.
330. Transmission of court process by telegraph or similar

communication.Any document, order or other court process which under this Act or
the rules of court is required to be served or executed with
reference to any person, may be transmitted by telegraph or similar
written or printed communication, and a copy of such telegraph or
communication, served or executed in the same manner as the
relevant document, order or other court process is required to be
served or executed, shall be of the same force and effect as if the
document, order or other court process in question had itself been
served or executed.
331. Irregular warrant or process.Any person who acts under a warrant or process which is bad in law
on account of a defect in the substance or form thereof shall, if
he has no knowledge that such warrant or process is bad in law and
whether or not such defect is apparent on the face of the warrant
or process, be exempt from liability in respect of such act as if
the warrant or process were good in law.
332. Prosecution of corporations and members of associations.(l) For the purpose of imposing upon a corporate body criminal
liability for any offence, whether under any law or at common
law(a) any act performed, with or without a particular intent,
by or on instructions or with permission, express or
implied, given by a director or servant of that corporate
body; and
(b) the omission, with or without a particular intent, of any
act which ought to have been but was not performed by or
on instructions given by a director or servant of that
corporate body,
in the exercise of his powers or in the performance of his
duties as such director or servant or in furthering or
endeavouring to further the interests of that corporate body,
shall be deemed to have been performed (and with the same
intent, if any) by that corporate body or, as the case may
be,
to have been an omission (and with the same intent, if
any) on
the part of that corporate body.
(2) In any prosecution against a corporate body, a director or
servant of that corporate body shall be cited, as
representative of that corporate body, as the offender, and
thereupon the person so cited may, as such representative, be
dealt with as if he were the person accused of having
committed the offence in question: Provided that(a) if the said person pleads guilty, other than by way of
admitting guilt under section 57, the plea shall not be
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valid
unless
the
corporate body authorized him to
plead guilty;
(b) if at any stage of the proceedings the said person ceases
to be a director or servant of that corporate body or
absconds or is unable to attend, the court in question
may, at the request of the prosecutor, from time to time
substitute for the said person any other person who is a
director or servant of the said corporate body at the
time of the said substitution, and thereupon the
proceedings shall continue as if no substitution had
taken place;
(c) if the said person, as representing the corporate body,
is convicted, the court convicting him shall not impose
upon him in his representative capacity any punishment,
whether direct or as an alternative, other than a fine,
even if the relevant law makes no provision for the
imposition of a fine in respect of the offence in
question, and such fine shall be payable by the corporate
body and may be recovered by attachment and sale of
property of the corpora+e body in terms of section 288;
(d) the citation of a director or servant of a corporate body
as aforesaid, to represent that corporate body in any
prosecution instituted against it, shall not exempt that
director or servant from prosecution for that offence in
terms of subsection (5).
(3) In criminal proceedings against a corporate body, any record
which was made or kept by a director, servant or agent of the
corporate body within the scope of his activities as such
director, servant or agent, or any document which was at any
time in the custody or under the control of any such director,
servant or agent within the scope of his activities as such
director, servant or agent, shall be admissible in evidence
against the accused.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) any record made or kept by a
director, servant or agent of a corporate body or any document
which was at any time in his custody or under his control,
shall be presumed to have been made or kept by him or to have
been in his custody or under his control within the scope of
his activities as such director, servant or agent, unless the
contrary is proved.
(5) When an offence has been committed, whether by the performance
of any act or by the failure to perform any act, for which any
corporate body is or was liable to prosecution, any person who
was, at the time of the commission of the offence, a director
or servant of the corporate body shall be deemed to be guilty
of the said offence, unless it is proved that he did not take
part in the commission of the offence and that he could not
have prevented it, and shall be liable to prosecution
therefore, either jointly with the corporate body or apart
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(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
therefrom, and shall on conviction be personally liable

to punishment therefore.
In criminal proceedings against a director or servant of a
corporate body in respect of an offence(a) any evidence which would be or was admissible against
that corporate body in a prosecution for that offence,
shall be admissible against the accused;
(b) whether or not such corporate body is or was liable to
prosecution for the said offence, any document,
memorandum, book or record which was drawn up, entered up
or kept in the ordinary course of business of that
corporate body or which was at any time in the custody or
under the control of any director, servant or agent of
such corporate body, in his capacity as director, servant
or agent, shall be prima facie proof of its contents and
admissible in evidence against the accused, unless he is
able to prove that at all material times he had no
knowledge of the said document, memorandum, book or
record, in so far as its contents are relevant to the
offence charged, and was in no way party to the drawing
up of such document or memorandum or the making of any
relevant entries in such book or record.
When a member of an association of persons, other than a
corporate body, has, in carrying on the business or affairs of
that association or in furthering or in endeavouring to
further its interests, committed an offence, whether by the
performance of any act or by the failure to perform any act,
any person who was, at the time of the commission of the
offence, a member of that association, shall be deemed to be
guilty of the said offence, unless it is proved that he did
not take part in the commission of the offence and that he
could not have prevented it: Provided that if the business or
affairs of the association are governed or controlled by a
committee or other similar governing body, the provisions of
this subsection shall not apply to any person who was not at
the time of the commission of the offence a member of that
committee or other body.
In any proceedings against a member of an association of
persons in respect of an offence mentioned in subsection (7)
any record which was made or kept by any member or servant or
agent of the association within the scope of his activities as
such member, servant or agent, or any document which was at
any time in the custody or under the control of any such
member, servant or agent within the scope of his activities as
such member, servant or agent, shall be admissible in evidence
against the accused.
For the purposes of subsection (8) any record made or kept by a
member or servant or agent of an association, or any document
which was at any time in his custody or under his control,
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shall be presumed to have

been made or kept by him or to
have been in his custody or under his control within the scope
of his activities as such member or servant or agent, unless
the contrary is proved.
(10) In this section the word "director" in relation to a corporate
body means any person who controls or governs that corporate
body or who is a member of a body or group of persons which
controls or governs that corporate body or, where there is no
such body or group, who is a member of that corporate body.
(11) The provisions of this section shall be additional to and not
in substitution for any other law which provides for a
prosecution against corporate bodies or their directors or
servants or against associations of persons or their members.
(12) Where a summons under this Act is to be served on a corporate
body, it shall be served on the director or servant referred
to in subsection (2) and in the manner referred to in section
54 (2).
333. Minister may invoke decision of Appellate Division on question
of law.Whenever the Minister has any doubt as to the correctness of any
decision given by any superior court in any criminal case on a
question of law, or whenever a decision in any criminal case on a
question of law is given by any division of the Supreme Court which
is in conflict with a decision in any criminal case on a question
of law given by any other division of the Supreme Court, the
Minister may submit such decision or, as the case may be, such
conflicting decisions to the Appellate Division of the Supreme
Court and cause the matter to be argued before that Court in order
that it may determine such question of law for the future guidance
of all courts.
334. Minister may declare certain persons peace officers for
specific purposes.(1) (a)
The Minister may by notice in the Gazette declare that
any person who, by virtue of his office, falls within any
category defined in the notice, shall, within an area
specified in the notice, be a peace officer for the
purpose of exercising, with reference to any provision of
this Act or any offence or any class of offences likewise
specified, the powers defined in the notice.
(b) The powers referred to in paragraph (a) may include any
power which is not conferred upon a peace officer by this
Act.
(2) (a)
No person who is a peace officer by virtue of a notice
issued under subsection (1) shall exercise any power
conferred upon him under that subsection unless he is at
the time of exercising such power in possession of a
certificate of appointment issued by his employer, which
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189
certificate shall be
produced on demand.
(b) A power exercised contrary to the provisions of paragraph
(a) shall have no legal force or effect.
(3) The Minister may by notice in the Gazette prescribe(a) the conditions which shall be complied with before a
certificate of appointment may validly be issued under
subsection (2) (a);
(b) any matter which shall appear in or on such certificate
of appointment in addition to any matter which the
employer may include in such certificate.
(4) Where the employer of any person who becomes a peace officer
under the provisions of this section would be liable for
damages arising out of any act or omission by such person in
the discharge of any power conferred upon him under this
section, the State shall not be liable for such damages unless
the State is the employer of that person, in which event the
department of State, including a provincial administration, in
whose service such person is, shall be so liable.
335. Person who makes statement entitled to copy thereofWhenever a person has in relation to any matter made to a peace
officer a statement in writing or a statement which was reduced to
writing, and criminal proceedings are thereafter instituted against
such person in connection with that matter, the person in
possession of such statement shall furnish the person who made the
statement, at his request, with a copy of such statement.
336. Act or omission constituting offence under two or more laws.Where an act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more
statutory provisions or is an offence against a statutory provision
and the common law, the person guilty of such act or omission
shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be liable to be
prosecuted and punished under either statutory provision or, as the
case may be, under the statutory provision or the common law, but
shall not be liable to more than one punishment for the act or
omission constituting the offence.
337. Estimating age of person.If in any criminal proceedings the age of any person is a relevant
fact of which no or insufficient evidence is available at the
proceedings, the presiding judge or judicial officer may estimate
the age of such person by his appearance or from any information
which may be available, and the age so estimated shall be deemed to
be the correct age of such person, unless(a) it is subsequently proved that the said estimate was incorrect;
and
(b) the accused at such proceedings could not lawfully have been
convicted of the offence with which he was charged if the
correct age had been proved.
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190
338. Production of document by accused at criminal proceedings.Where any law requires any person to produce any document at any
criminal proceedings at which such person is an accused, and such
person fails to produce such document at such proceedings, such
person shall be guilty of an offence, and the court may in a
summary manner enquire into his failure to produce the document
and, unless such person satisfies the court that his failure was
not due to any fault on his part, sentence him to any punishment
provided for in such law, or, if no punishment is so provided, to a
fine not exceeding one hundred rand or to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding three months.
339. Removal of accused from one prison to another for purpose of
attending at criminal proceedings.Whenever an accused is in custody and it becomes necessary that he
be removed from one prison to another prison for the purpose of
attending his trial, the magistrate of the district in which the
accused is in custody shall issue a warrant for the removal of the
accused to such other prison.
340. Prison list of unsentenced prisoners and witnesses detained.Every head of a prison within the area for which any session or
circuit of any superior court is held for the trial of criminal
cases shall deliver to that court at the commencement of each such
session or circuit a list(a) of the unsentenced prisoners who, at such commencement, have
been detained within his prison for a period of ninety days or
longer; and
(b) of witnesses detained under section 184 or 185 and who, at such
commencement, are being detained within his prison,
and such list shall, in the case of each such prisoner and each
such witness, specify the date of his admission to the prison and
the authority for his detention which shall, in the case of a
witness, state whether the detention is under section 184 or 185,
and shall further specify, in the case of each such prisoner, the
cause of his detention.
341. Compounding of certain minor offences.(l) If a person receives from any peace officer a notification in
writing alleging that such person has committed, at a place
and upon a date and at a time or during a period specified in
the notification, any offence likewise specified, of any class
mentioned in Schedule 3, and setting forth the amount of the
fine which a court trying such person for such offence would
probably impose upon him, such person may within thirty days
after the receipt of the notification deliver or transmit the
notification, together with a sum of money equal to the said
amount, to the magistrate of the district or area wherein the
offence is alleged to have been committed, and thereupon such
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(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
person
shall
not
be
prosecuted for having committed
such offence.
(a)
In the case of an offence, other than an offence under
the common law or under the Motor Carrier Transportation
Act, 1930 (Act 39 of 1930), relating to any vehicle,
committed within the area of jurisdiction of a local
authority, any person receiving a notification in terms
of subsection (1) from a peace officer in the service of
such local authority may deliver or transmit the
notification, together with a sum of money equal to the
amount specified in the notification, to such local
authority.
(b) Any sum of money paid to a local authority as provided in
paragraph (a) shall for the purposes of section 22 of the
Financial Adjustments Act, 1932 (Act 25 of 1932), be
deemed to be a fine imposed as a traffic fine.
(c) Not later than seven days after receipt of any sum of
money as provided in paragraph (a), the local authority
concerned shall forward to the magistrate of the district
or area wherein the offence is alleged to have been
committed a copy of the notification relating to the
payment in question.
(d) If the magistrate finds that the amount specified in the
notification exceeds the amount determined in terms of
subsection (5) in respect of the offence in question, he
shall notify the local authority of the amount whereby
the amount specified in the notification exceeds the
amount so determined and the local authority concerned
shall immediately refund the amount of such excess to the
person concerned.
(e) For the purposes of this subsection "local authority"
means a city council, a town council, a village council,
a village management board or a local board.
Any money paid to a magistrate in terms of subsection (1) shall
be dealt with as if it had been paid as a fine for the offence
in question.
The Minister may from time to time by notice in the Gazette add
any offence to the offences mentioned in Schedule 3, or remove
therefrom any offence mentioned therein.
The amount to be specified in any notification issued under
this section as the amount of the fine which a court would
probably impose in respect of any offence, shall be determined
from time to time for any particular area by the magistrate of
the district or area in which such area is situated, and may
differ from the admission of guilt fine determined under
section 57 (5) (a) for the offence in question.
342. Conviction or acquittal no bar to civil action for damages.A conviction or an acquittal in respect of any offence shall not
1995
191
192
bar a civil action for damages at the instance of any person

who has suffered damages in consequence of the commission of that
offence.
343. Application of this Act in the territory.This Act shall apply also in the territory, including the Eastern
Caprivi Zipfel.
344. Repeal of laws.(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the laws specified
in Schedule 4 are hereby repealed to the extent set out in the
third column of that Schedule.
(2) Any regulation, rule, notice, approval, authority, return,
certificate, document, direction or appointment made, issued,
given or granted, and any other act done under any provision
of any law repealed by this Act shall, subject to the
provisions of subsection (3), be deemed to have been made,
issued, given, granted or done under the corresponding
provisions of this Act
(3) Notwithstanding the repeal of any law under subsection (1),
criminal proceedings which have under such law at the date of
commencement of this Act been commenced in any superior court,
regional court or magistrate's court and in which evidence has
at such date been led in respect of the relevant charge,
shall, if such proceedings have at that date not been
concluded, be continued and concluded under such law as if it
had not been repealed.
345. Short title and date of commencement.(l) This Act shall be called the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, and
shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by the State
President by proclamation in the Gazette.
(2) The State President may under subsection (1) fix different
dates in respect of different provisions of this Act and may
fix different dates for the commencement of any such provision
in the Republic, the territory and the Eastern Caprivi Zipfel.
Schedule 1
(Sections 40, 42, 49)
Treason.
Sedition.
Murder.
Culpable homicide.
Rape.
Indecent assault.
Sodomy.
1995
192
193
Bestiality.
Robbery.
Assault, when a dangerous wound is inflicted.
Arson.
Breaking or entering any premises. whether under the common law or
a statutory provision, with intent to commit an offence.
Theft, whether under the common law or a statutory provision.
Receiving stolen property knowing it to have been stolen.
Fraud.
Forgery or uttering a forged document knowing it to have been
forged.
Offences relating to the coinage.
Any offence, except the offence of escaping from lawful custody in
circumstances other than the circumstances referred to
immediately hereunder, the punishment wherefor may be a period of
imprisonment exceeding six months without the option of a fine.
Escaping from lawful custody, where the person concerned is in such
custody in respect of any offence referred to in this Schedule
or is in such custody in respect of the offence of escaping from
lawful custody.
Any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit any offence
referred to in this Schedule.
Schedule 2
PART I
(Section 35)
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit possession,
conveyance or supply of dependence-producing drugs or
intoxicating liquor.
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit dealing in or
possession of precious metals or precious stones.
Breaking or entering any premises, whether under the common law or
a statutory provision, with intent to commit an offence.
Theft, whether under the common law or a statutory provision.
PART II
(Sections 59, 72)
Treason.
Sedition.
Murder.
Rape.
Robbery.
Arson.
a statutory provision,
with intent to
1995
193
194
commit
an offence.
Theft, whether under the common law or a statutory p vision,
receiving stolen property knowing it to have been stolen,
fraud, forgery or uttering a forged document knowing it to have
been forged, in each case if the amount or value involved in the
offence exceeds R 600..
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit dealing in 0
possession of precious metals or precious stones in each case
if the value involved in the offence exceeds R 600.
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit conveyance or
supply of dependence producing drugs.
Any offence relating to the coinage.
referred to in this Part.
Part II as substituted by Section 24 of the Criminal Procedure
PART III
(Sections 59, 61, 72, 184, 185, 189)
Heading amended by Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 5 of 1991
Arson.
Murder.
Kidnapping.
Childstealing.
Robbery.
Housebreaking, whether under the common law or a statutory
provision, with intent to commit an offence.
PART IV
(Sections 59, 61, 72)
Treason.
Sedition.
Murder.
Kidnapping.
Childstealing.
Rape.
Robbery.
Arson.
Public violence.
Bribery.
Housebreaking, whether under the common law or a statutory
provision, with intent to commit an offence.
1995
194
195
a statutory provision, with

intent to commit an offence.
Theft, whether under the common law or a statutory provision,
receiving stolen property knowing it to have been stolen,
fraud, forgery or uttering a forged document knowing it to have
been forged, in each case if the amount or value involved in
the offence exceeds R 600.
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit dealing in or
possession of precious metals or precious stones in each case
if the value in the offence exceeds R 600.
Any offence under any law relating to the illicit possession,
conveyance or supply of dependence-producing drugs.
Any offence relating to the coinage.
Any offence under the Controlled Game Products Proclamation, 1980
(Proclamation AG. 42 of 1980).
Any offence under the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1975
(Ordinance 4 of 1975).
Any offence under section 22A of the Sea Fisheries Act, 1973 (Act
58 of 1973).
Part added by section 7(b) of Act 5 of 1991
Schedule 3
(Section 341)
Any contravention of a bye-law or regulation made by or for any
council, board or committee established in terms of any law for the
management of the affairs of any division, city, town, borough,
village or other similar community.
Any offence committed by(a) driving a vehicle at a speed exceeding a prescribed limit;
(b) driving a vehicle which does not bear prescribed lights, or any
prescribed means of identification;
(c) leaving or stopping a vehicle at a place where it may not be
left or stopped, or leaving a vehicle in a condition in which
it may not be left;
(d) driving a vehicle at a place where and at a time when it may
not be driven;
(e) driving a vehicle which is defective or any part whereof is not
properly adjusted, or causing any undue noise by means of a
motor vehicle;
(f) owning or driving a vehicle for which no valid licence is held;
(g) driving a motor vehicle without holding a licence to drive it.
Schedule 4
LAWS REPEALED
1995
195
196
Laws repealed not reported here - see Butterworths

Cases:
section 3(5):
Ex Parte Attorney-General In Re: The Constitutional Relationship
Between the Attorney-General and the Prosecutor-General 1998 NR
282 (SC)
(section 3(5) held to be unconstitutional)
section 5:
Garces v Fouche & Others 1997 NR 278 (HC)
section 6:
S v Hausiko 1992 NR 225 (HC)
section 10:
S. v. Noble 2002 NR 67 (HC)
section 21:
S v Diergaardt 2000 NR 78 (HC)
Swanepoel v Minister of Home Affairs & Others 2000 NR 93 (HC)
section 22:
section 35:
Banco Exterior De Espana SA & Another v Government of the
Republic of
Namibia & Another 1996 NR 1 (HC)
section 37:
S v Ndikwetepo & Others 1992 NR 232 (HC)
S v Eigowab 1994 NR 192 (HC)
section 39:
S v Boois; S v Thomas 1991 NR 455 (HC)
section 42:
S v Coetzee 1993 NR 313 (HC)
section 43:
Swanepoel v Minister of Home Affairs & Others 2000 NR 93 (HC)
section 49:
S v William 1992 NR 268 (HC)
S v Coetzee 1993 NR 313 (HC)
S v Mwinga & Others 1995 NR 166 (SC)
section 50:
S v Mbahapa 1991 NR 274 (HC)
Garces v Fouche & Others 1997 NR 278 (HC)
section 51:
S v Matsuis 1993 NR 234 (HC)
S v Matthias 1993 NR 420 (HC)
section 60 (bail):
S v Acheson 1991 NR 1 (HC)
S v Aikela 1992 NR 30 (HC)
S v Du Plessis & Another 1992 NR 74 (HC)
S v Hendriks 1992 NR 382 (HC)
S v Pineiro & Others 1999 NR 18 (HC)
1995
196
197
section 61:
CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE-8
Guriab v Government of The Republic of Namibia and Others 2002 NR
114
(HC)
section 62:
section 63:
section 65:
S v Timotheus 1995 NR 109 (HC)
section 67:
S v Swartbooi 1990 NR 389 (HC)
S v Lukume 2000 NR 115 (HC)
section 68:
section 73:
S v Mwambazi 1991(2) SACR 149 (Nm)
S v Bruwer 1993(2) SACR 306 (Nm)
S v Lukas 1999 NR 394 (HC)
section 74:
S v Shivute & Several Other Cases 1991 NR 433 (HC) at 439
S v Kilika & Others 1992 NR 25 (HC)
S v Lambert 1993 NR 303 (HC)
section 77:
S v Kleynhans 1991 NR 22 (HC)
S v Samuel 1994 NR 51 (HC)
S v Amamub 2000 NR 207 (HC)
section 78:
S v Shivute 1991 NR 123 (HC)
S v Samuel 1994 NR 51 (HC)
section 79:
S v Hansen 1994 NR 5 (HC)
S v Amamub 2000 NR 207 (HC)
section 83:
S v Seibeb & Another; S v Eixab 1997 NR 254 (HC)
S v Gaseb & Others 2000 NR 139 (SC)s
section 84:
S v Mariu 1991 NR 149 (HC)
S v Inatius; S v Shapanga & Two Others 1991 NR 261 (HC)
S v Nakare 1992 NR 99 (HC)
section 85:
S v Lofty-Eaton & Others (1) 1993 NR 370 (HC)
section 86:
1995
197
198
S v Claasen 1992 NR 98 (HC)

S v Petrus 1993 NR 215 (HC)
S v Kariko & Another 1998 NR 13 (HC)
section 87:
S v Van Rooyen 1993 NR 235 (HC)
section 88:
S v Nakare 1992 NR 99 (HC)
section 105:
S v Uirab 1999 NR 327 (HC)
section 112:
S v Valede & Others 1990 NR 81 (HC)
S v Drayer & Another 1990 NR 237 (HC)
S v Muhenje & Another; S v Ngorera 1991 NR 91 (HC)
S v Maans 1991 NR 119 (HC)
Ex Parte Attorney-General, Namibia: In Re Corporal Punishment by
Organs
of State 1991 NR 178 (SC)
S v Aniseb & Another 1991 NR 203 (HC)
S v Davids 1991 NR 255 (HC)
S v Shivute & Several Other Cases 1991 NR 433 (HC)
S v Beukes 1993 NR 21 (HC)
S v Bruwer 1993 NR 219 (HC)
S v Goeieman 1993 NR 227 (HC)
S v Haimo 1993 NR 301 (HC)
S v Haufiko 1993 NR 317 (HC)
S v Namuhuya 1994 NR 57 (HC)
S v Maniping/S v Thwala 1994 NR 69 (HC)
S v Mostert 1994 NR 83 (HC)
S v Geiseb 1994 NR 175 (HC)
S v Mostert/S v de Koker 1995 NR 131 (HC)
S v Gaogoseb 1995 NR 165 (HC)
S. v. Kajamse; S. v Gaseb and Another 2002 NR 101 (HC)
section 113:
S v Haufiko 1993 NR 317 (HC)
section 115:
S v Wellington 1990 NR 20 (HC)
S v Tjiho (2) 1990 NR 266 (HC)
S v Cachimbembo 1990 NR 290 (HC)
S v Sanders 1990 NR 348 (HC)
S v Muhenje & Another; S v Ngorera 1991 NR 91 (HC)
S v Shivute 1991 NR 123 (HC)
S v Kau & Others 1995 NR 1 (SC)
S v Kahuimbe 1995 NR 77 (HC)
1995
198
199
S v Shikongo & Others 1999 NR

375 (SC)
section 118:
S v Wellington 1990 NR 20 (HC)
section 119:
S v Shikongo & Others 1999 NR 375 (SC)
section 122(1):
S v Shikongo & Others 1999 NR 375 (SC)
section 123:
section 144:
S v Kramer & Others 1990 NR 49 (HC)
section 151:
S v Haikele & Others 1992 NR 54 (HC)
section 158:
Florin v Magistrate of Swakopmund & Another 1999 NR 253 (HC)
S v Taapopi & Another 2001 NR 101 (HC)
section 159:
S v Khumalo 1991 NR 166 (SC)
section 160(3)(b):
section 167:
S v Mbali 1990 NR 1 (HC)
S v Dawid 1990 NR 206 (HC)
S v van den Berg 1995 NR 23 (HC)
section 168:
S v Nunes 2001 NR 43 (HC)
Guriab v Government of the Republic of Namibia and Others 2002 NR
114
(HC)
section 171:
S v Lofty-Eaton & Others (2) 1993 NR 405 (HC)
section 174:
S v Campbell & Others 1990 NR 310 (HC)
S v Kooper 1995 NR 80 (HC)
S v Paulus & Another 1996 NR 374 (HC)
S v Le Roux 2000 NR 209 (HC)
section 175:
S v Khoeinmab 1991 NR 99 (HC)
S v Kamati 1991 NR 116 (HC)
section 176:
S v Kaipa 1993 NR 190 (HC)
section 179:
section 182:
S v Haita 1993 NR 368 (HC)
section 186:
1995
199
200
S v Dawid 1990 NR 206 (HC)

section 189:
S v Smith 1999 NR 182 (HC)
section 190:
section 197:
S v Appelgrein 1995 NR 118 (HC)
section 204:
S v Johannes & Others 1991 NR 122 (HC)
section 206:
S v Nassar 1994 NR 233 (HC)
section 208:
S v Noble 2002 NR 67 (HC)
section 209:
S v Eiseb & Another 1990 NR 142 (HC)
section 211:
S v Appelgrein 1995 NR 118 (HC)
section 213:
section 215:
S v Sibiho & Others 1997 NR 29 (HC)
section 217:
S v Titus 1991 NR 318 (HC)
S v Somseb 1991 NR 339 (HC)
S v Kauma 1992 NR 17 (HC)
S v Tjihorero & Another 1993 NR 398 (HC)
S v Shikunga & Another 1997 NR 156 (SC) (holding that section
217(1)(b)(ii)
is unconstitutional)
section 218:
S v Minnies & Another 1990 NR 177 (HC)
section 220:
S v Kahuimbe 1995 NR 77 (HC)
section 221:
S v De Villiers 1992 NR 363 (HC)
section 222:
section 245:
S v Mwambazi 1990 NR 353 (HC)
S v Van Rooyen 1993 NR 235 (HC)
section 256:
S v Esterhuizen & Another 1990 NR 283 (HC)
section 261:
S v Ntantu & Others 1992 NR 293 (HC)
section 262:
S v Dixon 1995 NR 115 (HC)
section 270:
1995
200
201
S v Kuvare 1992 NR 7 (HC)

S v Seibeb & Another; S v Eixab 1997 NR 254 (HC)
S v Babiep 1999 NR 170 (HC)
section 271:
S v Johny & Another 1992 NR 296 (HC)
section 274:
section 275:
S v Arebeb 1997 NR 1 (HC)
section 276:
S v Njuluwa 2000 NR 97 (HC) (sentence may not include order that
convicted person may not be paroled)
section 277:
S v Tcoeib 1991 NR 263 (HC) (See also S v Tcoeib 1992 NR 198
(HC); 1999
NR 24 (SC) which deal with life imprisonment, but do not make
specific reference to this section.)
section 280:
section 286:
S v Miller 1999 NR 31 (HC)
section 287:
S v Mynhardt; S v Kuinab 1991 NR 336 (HC)
section 290:
Organs
S v Gaogoses 1994 NR 77 (HC)
section 292:
Organs
section 293:
Organs
section 294:
Organs
section 295:
Organs
section 297:
S v Kakulu & Another 1990 NR 282 (HC)
S v Goroseb 1990 NR 308 (HC)
S v Skrywer 1990 NR 343 (HC)
1995
201
202
S v Oupieti; S v Boois; S v
Josef & Another 1991 NR 93 (HC)
S v Simon 1991 NR 104 (HC)
S v Brand & Various Other Cases 1991 NR 356 (HC)
S v Matheus 1991 NR 376 (HC)
S v Isaacks 1992 NR 265 (HC)
S v H 1995 NR 136 (HC)
S v Nangolo 1995 NR 209 (HC)
S v Nvula; S. v Olivier 2002 NR 106 (HC)
S v Namene 2002 NR 125 (HC)
section 300:
S v Shivikua 1991 NR 101 (HC)
S v Tjisuta 1991 NR 146 (HC)
S v Useb & Another 1994 NR 81 (HC)
S v Panduleni 1995 NR 125 (HC)
section 302:
Organs
S v Gawanab 1997 NR 61 (HC)
section 303:
S v Sanders 1990 NR 348 (HC)
section 304:
Booysen v Kalokwe NO & Others 1991 NR 95 (HC)
S v Baptista 1991 NR 103 (HC)
S v Kaipa 1993 NR 190 (HC)
section 308:
Organs
section 309:
Organs
S v Wasserfall 1992 NR 18 (HC)
S v Uirab 1999 NR 327 (HC)
S v Ganeb 2001 NR 294 (HC) (section 309(4)(a) read with section
305 found
unconstitutional)
section 310 (as amended by Act 26/1993):
section 311 (as amended by Act 26/1993):
1995
202
203
S v Delie (2) 2001 NR 286 (SC)

section 312:
S v Bruwer 1993 NR 219 (HC)
section 316:
S v Tjiho 1991 NR 361 (HC)
S v Ngavonduueza 1993 NR 360 (HC)
S v Strowitzki 1994 NR 265 (HC)
section 316A:
S v Strowitzki 1994 NR 265 (HC)
section 319:
section 321:
Organs
S v Hendriks 1992 NR 382 (HC)
section 322:
section 324:
section 328:
section 335:
S v Tjiho (1) 1990 NR 242 (HC)
sentencing:
Organs
S v Van Rooyen & Another 1992 NR 165 (HC)
S v Tcoeib 1991 NR 263 (HC); 1992 NR 198 (HC); 1999 NR 24 (SC)
(life
imprisonment)
S v Van Wyk 1993 NR 426 (HC)
S v Khumalo & Another 194 NR 3 (HC)
S v Britz 1994 NR 25 (HC) (community service)
S v Redelinghuys 1995 NR 21 (HC) (concurrent sentences)
S v Mostert/S v de Koker 1995 NR 131 (HC) (composite sentences)
S v Clay 1996 NR 184 (HC)
S v Moses 1996 NR 387 (HC)
S v Arebeb 1997 NR 1 (HC) (suspended sentences)
S v Kandume 1997 NR 79 (HC) (suspended sentences)
S v Alexander 1998 NR 84 (HC)
S v Kambu 1998 NR 194 (HC) (appropriateness of fines rather than
imprisonment; consecutive sentences)
S v Mouton & Another 1999 NR 215 (HC)
S v Uweuseb 1999 NR 339 (HC) (court exercises discretion to allow
1995
203
204
appellant
to withdraw appeal against sentence after receipt of notice that
increased sentence will be also considered by court of appeal)
S v Shapumba 1999 NR 342 (SC) (rape)
S v Gaseb & Others 2000 NR 139 (SC) (gang rape)
youthful offenders:
S v Shivute & Several Other Cases 1991 NR 433 (HC) at 439
S v Goagoseb 1992 NR 35 (HC)
S v G 1993 NR 225 (HC)
S v Lambert 1993 NR 303 (HC)
S v Gaogoses 1994 NR 77 (HC)
S v Kukinaka 1994 NR 82 (HC)
S v H 1995 NR 136 (HC)
Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 5 of 1991 (amendments re: bail):
S v Timotheus 1995 NR 109 (HC).
1995
204

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CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT

Definitions. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates-

includes an indictment and a summons;

complainant, in relation to an offence of sexual or indecent

includes a preparatory examination under

"day" means the space of time between sunrise and sunset;

means the Minister of Justice;

"offence" means an act or omission punishable by law;

includes the territory;

includes the Administration of the

includes the territory;

means the territory of South West Africa;

includes the rules of court and any regulations made

under this Act.

Any reference in any law to an inferior court shall, unless

Attorney-general the prosecuting authority on behalf of

Presiding judicial officer may in certain circumstances

may, in writing under his hand, designate any competent

officer authorized by law to issue such process a

the sum of one hundred rand as security that he will

State may seize certain articles. -

The State may, in accordance with the provisions of this

A police official may without a search warrant search any person

Power of police to enter premises in connection with State

maintenance of law and order is likely to be endangered

interests of the persons concerned,

police official concerned does not know of any person who

be returned to the person from whom it was seized,

vehicle, container or other article was being used or would

Disposal of article concerned in an offence committed outside

be returned to the person from whose possession it was

Section 37(1)(d) added by section 2(a) of the Criminal Procedure

Matters Amendment Act 31 of 1985

Any medical officer of any prison or any district surgeon

Any court which has convicted an person of any offence or

Section 37(4) substituted by section 2(b) of the Criminal Procedure

Finger-prints, palm-prints or footprints, photographs and the

his conviction is set aside by a superior court or if he is

who has escaped or who attempts to escape from lawful

If a person may be arrested under any law without warrant

Name and address of certain persons and power of arrest by

offence, and any person authorized

Arrest on telegraphic authority.A telegraphic or similar written or printed communication from

The provisions of section 50 shall apply with reference to

48. Breaking open premises for purposes of arrest.

Where the person concerned is to be arrested for an offence

Escaping and aiding escaping before incarceration, and

place, date and time for

in court in accordance with a warning under section 72;

In proceedings under paragraph (a) before such other

56. Written notice as method of securing attendance of accused in

If the accused is in custody, the effect of a written notice

(b) a written notice under section 56 (in this section

An admission of guilt fine paid at a police station or a

Bail after first appearance of accused in lower court.-

(b) the rights of the

Section 60A inserted by Section 12 of the Combating of Rape Act 8

Section 62(2) inserted by Section 13 of the Combating of Rape Act 8

If an accused who is in custody on a charge of a