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Summary SOUTH AFRICAN LAW & POLICIES SUPPORTING VICTIMS’ RIGHTS, study unit 4
- Course
- Criminology 220 (KRM220)
- Institution
- University Of Pretoria (UP)
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KRM 220 SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY UNIT 4KRM 220
SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY
UNIT 4
SOUTH AFRICAN LAW & POLICIES SUPPORTING VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
NOTES 4.1
After this unit you should be able to reach the following outcomes:
- Provide a comprehensive discussion of the Carmichele case, and indicate how the
Constitution protects the rights of victims of crime.
- Give a detailed exposition of the Domestic Violence Act (Act 116 of 1998) and discuss the
problems in implementing this Act.
- Provide an overview of The Protection from Harassment Act (17 of 2011).
INTRODUCTION
- Laws and policies aimed at reducing violence and supporting victims of violence are only as
good as the people and systems that have to enforce it
- EG: despite the fact that the definition of sexual assault and rape does not require the use of
force, or resistance by the victim, some criminal justice officials still believe that an absence
of physical resistance and injury proves that a woman wasn’t raped
- Legislation aimed at protecting victims can therefore only be effective if the appropriate
mechanisms are put in place to monitor the implementation of legislation and to ensure
that where it is not being implemented as prescribed, effective remedies are available to
victims.
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON VICTIMS’ RIGHTS
- UN Declaration (1985 Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and
Abuse of Power) and the 2006 Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy
and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and
Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law: SA’s ratification of international
declarations and conventions (conventions and declarations that we are signatories to)
places the state under a duty to fulfil the obligations placed on it by those instruments
- SA must develop legislation enforcing these principles
NOTE: you do NOT have to know the names of the declarations, just take note of the
existence of such documents
THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION
- Section 12(1) states that everyone has a right to freedom from all forms of violence (from
public or private sources)
1
, KRM 220 SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY UNIT 4
- Section 12(1)(c) places duty / obligation on government to protect those within its borders
from violence and to take steps to advance this right
- Section 7(2) requires the state to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights in the Bill of
Rights
- Section 9(1) includes the right to dignity and to equality - everyone is equal before the law
and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law
- This s 9(1) right has been further emphasised in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention
of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000
- Victims of infringement of this right may seek recourse through equality courts
- Remedies include: orders that an apology be made, damages and costs be paid, matter be
referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for possible criminal proceedings
THE CARMICHELE CASE
- Full case name: Carmichele v Minister of Safety and Security and Another [2001] 4 SA 938
(CC)
- The judgement in this case illustrates the operation of these constitutional duties in relation
to police and prosecutorial responses to victims (and potential victims) of crime
FACTS OF THE CARMICHELE CASE:
- Alix Carmichele was attacked and seriously injured in 1995 by a man (Coetzee) who has been
released on free bail while awaiting trial on charges of attempted murder and rape (against
Terblanche)
- Coetzee was awaiting trial for an offence committed in March 1995
- A 17 year old girl (Terblanche) was at a school dance
- At midnight she wanted to go home
- Francois Coetzee offered to walk with her (he was her older brother’s friend from choir)
- He was 21 and unemployed
- He assaulted and raped her
- Charged for attempted murder and rape
- Free bail = no restrictions imposed, he did not have to pay money for bail
- He had been previously convicted of assault and had a history of violent behaviour towards
women
- However, neither the prosecutor nor the investigator opposed bail
- When he was found acting suspiciously outside Carmichele’s house, the prosecutor and the
police both claimed there was nothing they could do when Carmichele approached them
- Carmichele knew Coetzee
- Coetzee’s own mother was afraid of him
- He subsequently attacked Alix Carmichele
- She was a freelance photographer
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