JUSTICE COLLEGE

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS AND DUTIES

CRP. 2

Justice College, Private Bag X659, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa Tel 012-481-2892; Fax: 012-481 2854
COMPILED BY : K D KRUGER & B J KING
DATE : DECEMBER, 2002
UPDATED BY : B J KING
DATE : JANUARY, 2006
EDITION : 2006 {1st edition}

No part of this note may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means
without the required permission in writing.
 1

RIGHTS and MISCELLANOUS DUTIES

(All references herein to the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 are references to the Criminal
Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977 as amended)

1. Reasons for continued detention [Ss 35(1)(e) and (2)(a) of the Constitution and S
50(6)(a)(i)(aa) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

2. Right to be released on bail or to have the question regarding release considered

[S 50(1)(b) and S 60(1)(c)of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No 55 of
1977)]

3. Bail application process: duty to disclose previous convictions and whether

currently on bail for scheduled offences; [S 60(11B) of the Criminal Procedure
Act, 1977]; onus in respect of Schedule 5 and 6 offences [S 60(11) of the
Criminal Procedure Act, 1977] Note the obligation to record all proceedings
regarding a bail application. [S 64 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

4. Legal representation of own choice (including an application for legal aid to the
Legal Aid Board or other body rendering legal aid) [Ss 35(2)(b) and (3)(f) of the
Constitution; s 73(2), (2A), (2B), and (2C) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977;
Vermaas; Du Plessis 1995 (2) SACR 125 (CC); M en Andere v Streeklanddros,
Middelburg, Transvaal en Andere 1995 (2) SACR 709 (T); Harris 1997 (1)
SACR 618 (C); Mabaso 1990 (3) SA 185 (A); Masilela 1990 (2) SACR 116 (T);
Motsumi 1990 (2) SACR 207 (O); Baxter 1990 (2) SACR 109 (T); Mpata 1990
(2) SACR 175 (NC); Radebe; Mbonani 1988 (1) SA 191 (T); Khanyile 1988 (3)
SA 795 (N); Ramuongiwa 1997 (2) BCLR 268 (V); Rudman and another;
Mthwana 1992 (1) SACR 70 (A); Mabaso 1990 (3) SA 185 (A)]

5. Legal representation assigned to the accused at state expense if substantial

injustice would otherwise result [Ss 35(2)(c) and 35(3)(g) of the Constitution; s
73(2) and (2C) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; Maduna 1997 (1) SACR
646 (T); A Moos 1998 (1) SACR 372 (C); Lombard 1994 (2) SACR 104 (T);
 2

Legal Aid Board v Msila and others 1997 (2) BCLR 229 (E)]

6. Sentence options; possible minimum sentences, accused being informed thereof;

[Legoa 2003(1) SACR 13 (SCA); Ndlovu 2003 (1) SACR 331 (SCA)].

7. Trial in a language the accused understands or to have the proceedings interpreted

in that language [S 35(3)(k) of the Constitution; Mahooa 1991(1) SACR 286 (T);
Chauke 1998(1) SACR 354 (V); Mafu 1978 (1) SA 454 (C); Siwela 1981 (2) SA
56 (T); Abrahams 1997 (2) SACR 47 (C).]

8. Assistance of an accused under the age of 18 by a parent or guardian or, with the
permission of the court, another person and the rights and functions of the person
assisting the accused [Ss 73(3) and 74 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977;
Ramadzanga 1988 (2) SA 816 (VSC); N 1997 (1) SACR 84 (Tk); H 1978 (4) SA
385 (E); Khumbusa 1977 (1) SA 394) (N)]

9. Assessors [S 93ter(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944); M

1996 (1) SACR 519 (W); Mngeni 2001 (2) SACR 20 (E).]

10. Plea proceedings

10.1 Where indications are that the (undefended) accused might raise a special
plea as meant in s 106(1)(c) to (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977;
[The right of an accused in terms of s 106(1)(c) and (d) of the Act to plead
the defences of prior conviction (autrefois convict) or previous acquittal
(autrefois acquit), but fails to do so, cannot be deemed by operation of law
to have waived that right, if he or she had not actually waived it. In order
actually to waive the right he or she had to realize that the right existed
and vested in him or her, and had to abandon it deliberately, regardless of
whether the abandonment occurred expressly or tacitly;, Mbele 1999(1)
SACR 394 (W): Wellem 1993 (2) SACR 18 (E); Van Rooyen and Others
v the State and Others 2002 (2) SACR 222 (CC)]
 3

10.2 Plea and sentence agreement; [S 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act,
1977; Armugga 2005 (2) SACR 259 (N); Esterhuizen 2005(1) SACR 490
(T)]

10.3 Specific defences that can be raised when charged with certain statutory
offences
10.3.1 Failure to pay maintenance [S 31(2) of the Maintenance Act, 1998
(Act 99 of 1998)]
10.3.2 Trespass [S 1 of the Trespass Act, 1959 (Act 6 of 1959)]
10.3.3 Possession of a dangerous weapon [S 2 of the Dangerous Weapons
Act, 1968 (Act 71 of 1968)]

10.4 Presumptions on which the prosecution intends relying [Brown 1984 (3)
SA 399 (C); Fikizolo 1978 (2) SA 676 (NC); Ncube 1981 (3) SA 511 (T)]

10.5 Competent verdicts (where applicable) [Velela 1979 (4) SA 581 (C);
Hlakwane 1993 (2) SACR 362 (O); Kester 1996 (1) SACR 461 (B)]

10.6 Plea of guilty

10.6.1 S 112(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 [for petty
offences - Aniseb 1991(2) SACR 413 (Nm); Addabba; Ngema;
Van Wyk 1992(2) SACR 325 (T).]
10.6.2 S 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 [Questioning -
Mkhize 1981(3) SA 585 (N) [constitutional right to remain silent
as set out in s 35(3)(h) of the Constitution, incompatable with a
plea of guilty;] [Maseko 1996 (2) SACR 91 (W); Director of
Public Prosecutions, Natal v Magidela and Another 2000(1)
SACR 458 (SCA); Tladi 1994 (1) SACR 174 (NC)]; [Contra
however Damons 1997 (2) SACR 218 (W) on the constitutional
right to remain silent vis-à-vis a plea of guilty] [Director of Public
 4

Prosecutions, Natal v Magidela and Another 2000 (1) SACR 458

(SCA)]
10.6.3 S 122C read with ss 122A and 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure
Act, 1977 [No conviction prior to stopping proceedings]
10.6.4 S 121 read with ss 119 and 112(1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure
Act, 1977 [No conviction prior to stopping proceedings]
10.6.5 S 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 [attention drawn to
proviso which provides that allegations admitted up to stage where
plea of not guilty is recorded, stand as proof of such allegations;
Mugwedi 1988 (2) SA 814 (V)].

10.7 Plea of not guilty

10.7.1. Right to remain silent [S 35(3)(h) of the Constitution; ]
10.7.2 S 115 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 [Dannhauser 1993 (2)
SACR 398 (O); Moleleko 1978 (2) PH H215 (O); Philander 1977
(2) PH H214 (NC); Moloyi 1978 (1) SA 516 (O); Evans 1981 (4)
SA 52 (C); Daniëls 1983 (3) SA 275 (A); Poho 1980 (1) PH H34
(O); Chilwan 1982 (1) PH H87 (C); Khumalo 1979 (3) SA 708
(T); Mabaso 1990 (3) SA 185 (A); Mkhize 1978 (3) SA 1065 (T);
Mayedwa 1978 (1) SA 509 (E); Hill 1981 (2) PH H152 (C)]
10.7.3 S 122D read with s 122A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977
10.7.4 Enquiry from the accused whether an allegation which is not
placed in issue by the plea of not guilty may be recorded as an
admission of that allegation [S 115 read with s 220 of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977; Sesetse 1981 (3) SA 353 (A); Molele 1978
(2) SA 668 (O); Gobozi 1977 (2) PH H234 (E); Mayedwa 1978 (1)
SA 509 (E); Daniëls 1983 (3) SA 175 (A); Mothlaping 1988 (3)
SA 757 (NC)]

11. Judicial officer before whom accused pleaded not guilty not available to continue
with the trial and no evidence has been adduced yet [S 118 of the Criminal
 5

Procedure Act, 1977; Hendriks 1995(2) SACR 117 (A) ]

12. Rights on cross-examination [S 166(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977;

Tyebela 1989 (2) SA 22 (A); Raphatle 1995 (2) SACR 452 (T); Maseko 1993 (2)
SACR 579 (A); Wellington 1991 (1) SACR 144 (Nm); Modiba 1991 (2) SACR
286 (T); Khambule 1991 (2) SACR 277 (W)]

13. Court may examine witnesses [S 167 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977];
subpoena witnesses [S 186 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]; and the accused
and prosecution may, with leave of the court examine or cross-examine any
witness called by the court [S 166(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977] but the
court shall examine and shall subpoena witnesses if their evidence is essential to
the just decision of the case.

14. Discharge at the close of the case for the prosecution [S 174 of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977; Beckett 1987 (4) SA 8 (C); Zimmerie 1989 (3) SA 484 (C);
Zulu 1990 (1) SA 655 (T); Mashele 1990 (1) SACR 678 (T); Amerika 1990 (2)
SACR 480 (C); Phuravhatha 1992(2) SACR 544 (V); Nzimande 1993 (2) SACR
218 (N); Makofane 1998(1) SACR 603 (T); Hudson 1998(2) SACR 359 (W);
Ndlangamandla 1999(1) SACR 391 (W); Swartz 2001 (1) SACR 334 (W);
Manona 2001 (1) SACR 426 (Tk); Lubaxa 2001(2) SACR 703 (SCA)].

15. Accused’s rights at the close of the case for the prosecution
15.1 Accused asked whether he/she/they wish(es) to adduce evidence on behalf
of the defence (opportunity to present his/her case to court) [S 151(1)(a) of
the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 and s 35(3)(i) of the Constitution;]

15.2 Right to remain silent and not to testify [S 35(3)(h) of the Constitution;]
and the consequences of not adducing evidence [Brown 1996 (2) SACR
49 (NC); Dube 1915 AD 557; Saaiman 1967 (4) SA 440 (A); Van Wyk
1992 (1) SACR 147 (Nm); Sidziya 1995 (12) BCLR 1626 (Tk)]
 6

15.3 If he/she/they wish(es) to adduce evidence -

15.3.1 may address court indicating, without comment, what evidence
will be adduced [S 151(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]
15.3.2 must be asked whether he/she/they wish(es) to testify in person;
and/or
15.3.3 whether he/she/they wish(es) to call witnesses and/or adduce such
other evidence as may be admissable [S 151(2)(a) of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977]

15.4 If the accused elect(s) to testify -

15.4.1 such accused must testify before any other witnesses for the
defence unless good cause is shown allowing otherwise [S
151(1)(b)(i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]
15.4.2 all witnesses must testify viva voce [S 161 of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977]
15.4.3 all witnesses must testify under oath or affirmation [Ss 162 and
163 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

15.5 Accused and his/her/their witnesses may be cross-examined by the

prosecution and co-accused or his/her/their legal representative(s)
[S166(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977] and the court may also put
questions to clarify uncertainties [Hamman v Moolman 1968 (4) SA 340
(A); Rall 1982 (1) SA 828 (A)]

15.6 Accused may re-examine his/her/their own witnesses on matters raised

during cross-examination [S 166(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

15.7 Recalling and re-examination [S 167 and 186 of the Criminal Procedure
Act, 1977]
 7

15.8 Exculpatory parts of statements tendered during plea in terms of ss

112(1)(b) or 115 (except those facts formally admitted) and propositions
put to witnesses for the prosecution during cross-examination have no
probative value and should be repeated by means of evidence if
he/she/they want(s) the court to take cognizance thereof [Dreyer 1978 (2)
SA 182 (NC); Afrika 1982 (3) SA 1066 (C); Mogoregi 1978 (3) SA 13
(O); Malebo 1979 (2) SA 636 (B); Cloete 1994 (1) SACR 720 (A)]

16. Address court at conclusion of evidence (prior to passing of judgment) [S 175 of

the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; O’Connell v Attorney-General and
Magistrate, Pretoria 1930 TPD 9; Malherbe 1931 OPD 99; District
Commandant, SAP and Another v Murray 1924 AD 13; Parmanand 1954 (3)
SA 833 (A); Bresler 1967 (2) SA 451 (A); Breakfast 1970 (2) SA 611 (E);
Mabote 1983 (1) SA 745 (O); Dlamini 1992 (2) SACR 533 (N); Zingilo 1995 (9)
BCLR 1186 (O)]

17. Correction of wrong judgment or judgment given by mistake [S 176 of the

Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; Malesa 1990 (1) SACR 260 (T)]

18. Extension of bail after conviction [S 58 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

19. Sentence by judicial officer other than the one who convicted the accused (where
applicable) [S 275 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]

20. Committal to regional court for sentence [Ss 114 and 116 of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977]

21. Referral to High Court for sentence [S 52 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act,
1997 (Act 105 of 1997)]

22. Before sentence

 8

21.1 May put forth factors court should consider in reaching a fit and proper
sentence by -
21.1.1 testifying under oath in which event the prosecution may cross-
examine him/her/them and court may pose questions [S 274(1) of
the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; Bresler 1967 (2) SA 451 (A);
Shuba 1958 (3) SA 844 (C); Booysen 1974 (1) SA 333 (C); Leso
1975 (3) SA 694 (A)]; and/or
21.1.2 calling witnesses to testify on his/her/their behalf [S 274(1) of the
Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]; and/or
21.1.3 adducing such other evidence as may be relevant and admissible [S
274(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977]; and/or
21.1.4 addressing the court [S 274(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act,
1977; Louw 1978 (1) SA 459 (C); Bresler 1967 (2) SA 451 (A);
Leso 1975 (3) SA 694 (A); Sithole 1969 (4) SA 286 (N); P 1989
(1) SA 760 (C)]

23. Obligations in respect of certain offences/ sentences/orders:

22.1 Enquiry in terms of s 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of
2000)
23.2 Section 15 (compensation order) of the Stock Theft Act, 1959 (Act 57 of
1959)
23.3 Section 35 (Driver’s licence) of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act
93 of 1996).

24. Correction of wrong sentence or sentence given by mistake [S 298 of the Criminal
Procedure Act, 1977; Swartz 1991 (2) SACR 502 (NC); Smit 1993 (1) SACR 540
(C)]

25. Rights on review (where applicable) [Ss 302 and 303 read with s 306(1) of the
Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; Simelane 1958 92) SA 302 (N); Tusi 1966 (2) PH
L11 (N); Ziqubu 1966 (2) PH H424 (N); Shange 1966 (2) PH H 432 (N); Avoid
 9

delays in submitting record - Hlungwane 2001 (1) SACR 136 (T); Maluleke
2004 (2) SACR 577 (T)]

26. Right to appeal and leave to appeal application [Sections 309B, 309C and 309D
of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 and Rule 67(4), (Criminal Appeals), of the
Rules in terms of the Magistrates’ Court Act, 1944 (Act 32 of 1944)]

27. Delay in prosecution; [s 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977; Motsasi 1998
(2) SACR 35 (W); Van Wyk v Tredoux NO 2000 (2) SACR 693 (O);
Groenewald v Regional Magistrate, Ladysmith and another 2001 (1) SACR 343
(N); Naidoo and Others v National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others
2005 (1) SACR 349 (SCA)]