NAME: NONKANYISO

MKHIZE
STUDENT NUMBER:
10613277
MODULE CODE: SJD1501
ASSIGNMENT NO: 05
UNIQUE NO: 650369
GROUP NO: 9T
DUE DATE: 25/04/2022

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STUDENT’S STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING AN UNDERSTANDING OF
PLAGIARISM AND THE CONCEQUENCES THEREOF
This is to state that I have read all the documentation about plagiarism that I have
received
I also fully understand what plagiarism is.
I also accept that if I commit plagiarism, I will be severely penalized.
Name: Nonkanyiso
Surname: Mkhize
Student no: 10613277
Module: SJD1501
Signature: N. Mkhize Date: 25/04/2021

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QUESTION 1
1. To what extent do you think the criminal justice system response to the
pandemic has had an impact on the provision of public safety? Here you
must look at the crime rates during the pandemic and measures introduced
during the pandemic such as curfews and the ban of alcohol. (500 words)
20 marks
According to the latest police Minister statistics, the lockdown effect on violent
interpersonal crime was unsurprising, because criminological theories hold that violent
crime occurs in places where perpetrators meet victims, with such interactions
influenced by the nature of the place, crime facilitators (such as guns and alcohol), and
the presence of police. The 'hard' lockdown severely restricted South African movement
across the country, reducing the likelihood of victim/perpetrator interactions. Alcohol
was in short supply, and police and soldiers increased patrols dramatically, particularly
in high-crime areas.
Following that, the Minister released quarterly crime data for July to September 2020,
as well as October to December 2020. Both quarterly data sets show a significant
increase in violent crime since the 'hard' lockdown was lifted in May 2020. According to
the most recent quarterly crime data (October to December 2020), violent crime levels
actually increased compared to the same period in 2019, with murder increasing by 6.6
percent and attempted murder increasing by 8.7 percent.
Much of the public discussion about the decline and rise in reported violent
interpersonal crime in 2020 has centered on access to and consumption of alcohol, with
some commentators claiming that the prohibition on alcohol sales during hard lockdown
was a key determinant of the crime drop. Indeed, numerous studies, both locally and
globally, have conclusively demonstrated the link between excessive alcohol
consumption and violence perpetration. Arguments and alcohol are a particularly lethal
combination. According to SAPS, most murders and attempted murders are the result of
arguments and misunderstandings, which frequently occur in the context of drinking.
However, there is more to South Africa's violent crime variations than alcohol
consumption.
According to a careful examination of the most recent quarterly crime data, violent crime
is concentrated in less than 20% of South Africa's more than 1,100 police precincts.
Furthermore, the majority of murders, for example, occur in around 100 such precincts.
An examination of violent crime dynamics in these areas is instructive in understanding
changes in crime patterns. This is not to say that excessive alcohol consumption hasn't
played a role in the murders committed in these eight precincts. Unquestionably, there
have been numerous cases of murders associated with intoxicated arguments, as well
as murders caused by drunken rage. Nonetheless, it is important to note that a variety
of factors influence the variability of violent crime levels in South Africa.

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The next SAPS quarterly crime statistics (January to March 2021) will be especially
revealing because they will include the month in which alcohol sales were prohibited by
the government. If violent crime levels fall significantly this quarter, it may be tempting to
attribute the decrease in alcohol consumption solely to the drop in crime. However,
before doing so, it is critical to first determine the concentration of violent crime in these
precincts, as well as consider other possible factors that may have contributed to such
variations in crime in these precincts. If studies show that alcohol is a major cause of
violence in these areas, the government should consider measures to effectively restrict
access to alcohol in these areas. (511 words)

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QUESTION 2
1. Choose any one (1) of the following topics and find an article on criminal cases
on the internet or daily newspapers that is relevant to your selected topic and
compile a document based on a format below:
Racism and inequality
1.1. IOL Thursday, April 21, 2022. Seven suspects in court for the murder of Elvis
Nyathi in Diepsloot
https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/seven-suspects-in-court-for-the-
murder-of-elvis-nyathi-in-diepsloot-08bb8d6b-50d4-4493-8740-4b8070ca4255
(accessed 18 April 2022)
1.2. Pretoria – A group of seven men appeared at the Randburg Magistrate’s
Court on Tuesday for allegedly killing Zimbabwean national, Elvis
Nyathi, in Diepsloot.
Nyathi was beaten and burnt to death in Diepsloot earlier this month.
The attack on Nyathi comes after Diepsloot residents embarked on a protest for several
days and targeted foreign nationals accusing them of committing crimes in the area.
The accused men - who are all South African - have been charged with murder, robbery
with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, attempted murder, assault with intent to
cause grievous bodily harm and extortion.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the men
allegedly robbed some of the victims of their belongings and demanded money in
exchange for the release of those in captivity.
Initially, 14 suspects were arrested, however, due to a lack of evidence, the other seven
suspects were released.
The seven accused will remain in custody until April 22, 2022 for them to acquire legal
representation. (124 words)
1.3. Why did you find the report interesting?
I found this story interesting especially since it happened in what we call the freedom
month in South Africa. This story makes one wonder when will African unite and live
in harmony with one another. In a few days we will be celebrating freedom day, are
we really free? I wonder. (51 words)
1.4. Motivate why you believe this story relates to our criminal justice
system.
Is our justice system functional, does it protect? Who does it protect? As South
Africans if we have shed and oppress our fellow Africans who sheltered us during

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the time of need? We have a democratic government but it is failing us as citizens
and also failing our fellow South Africans. Is it the perpetrators or the government
who has the blood of Elvis in their hands? Where is Ubuntu, when will we learn to
live in harmony with one another. (123 words)
1.5. Identify at least two key role players in the article (it must be identifiable
from your summary in 1.2 above)
 The government
 The perpetrators
 The law enforcement
 The justice system
 The citizens.
1.6. Do you think that the criminal justice functionaries served justice?
Provide brief reasons to justify your view.
We are yet to see if justice will be served or not. The seven accused will remain in
custody until April 22, 2022 for them to acquire legal representation. Only after the
date we will know what happens. But the fact that the perpetrators are in custody
shows that the law enforcement has done its job. Now we are yet to see if the justice
system will bring justice to the deceased and his family. We are yet to see if the
perpetrators will get a deserving punishment to allow the victim’s family to find
closure and start the healing process. In my own opinion, the justice system should
punish the perpetrators severely. Foreign nationals have a right to safety when in
our country and no one is allowed to deprive them of that right.

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List of sources consulted
 https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/public-sector/articles/priorities-for-
criminal-justice-reform.html (accessed 18 April 2022)
 https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/seven-suspects-in-court-for-
the-murder-of-elvis-nyathi-in-diepsloot-08bb8d6b-50d4-4493-8740-
4b8070ca4255 (accessed 18 April 2022)
 https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8017 (accessed
18 April 2022)
 https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/public-sector/articles/COVID-19-
and-the-criminal-justice-system.html (accessed 18 April 2022)
 https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8017 (accessed
18 April 2022)