Issue 1, 2003 Journal for Juridical Science - Volume 28,
Conscientious objection and legal abortion in South Africa : delineating the parameters
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 1 –18 (2003)
<b>Gewetensbeswaar en wettige vrugafdrywing in Suid-Afrika : bepaling van die grense</b>
<br>Die oogmerk van die artikel is om die grense van die reg op gewetensbeswaar van gesondheidsdienswerkers in verband met deelname aan vrugafdrywingsprosedures ingevolge die <I>Wet op die Keuse van Beëindiging van Swangerskap&lt;/I&gt; te ondersoek. Die Wet swyg oor die reg op gewetensbeswaar. &apos;n Reg op gewetensbeswaar teen deelname aan vrugafdrywingsprosedures is egter implisiet in artikel 15 van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika vervat. Dit word aan die hand gedoen dat terwyl die <I>Wet op die Keuse van Beëindiging van Swangerskap&lt;/I&gt; in gebreke bly om die reg op gewetensbeswaar te reguleer, artikel 36 van die Grondwet riglyne hiervoor verskaf. Artikel 36 ondersteun die beperking van die reg op gewetensbeswaar in die geval waar die moeder se lewe of gesondheid ernstig in gevaar is of indien daar &apos;n mediese noodgeval voorkom. Verder, in die besondere omstandighede van Suid- Afrika, kan geargumenteer word dat artikel 36 die oplê van &apos;n verpligting om ten minste aan die verwagtende vrou inligting te verskaf oor waar vrugafdrywing gedoen kan word, ondersteun. Dit word aangetoon dat dit moeilik is om vas te stel watter partye, anders as die gesondheidswerkers wat direk by die vrugafdrywing betrokke is, op &apos;n reg op getwetensbeswaar aanspraak sou kon maak. Artikel 36 is egter weereens &apos;n handige rigsnoer in hierdie verband.
The purpose of this article is to delineate the scope and limitations of the exercise of the right to conscientious objection in respect of participation in abortion procedures under the <I>Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act</I>. The Act is silent about the right to conscientious objection. However, section 15 of the South African Constitution in particular, implicitly accommodates conscientious objection to abortion. It is submitted that whilst the <I>Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act&lt;/I&gt; fails to provide the principles for determining the limits of the right to conscientious objection, guidance can be derived from section 36 of the Constitution. It is submitted that section 36 supports the limitation of the right to conscientious objection where maternal life or health is in serious danger or there is a medical emergency. Furthermore, it is argued that in the particular circumstances of South Africa, section 36 is also capable of supporting the imposition of a duty to at least provide the pregnant woman with information about where she might be able to obtain an abortion. It is noted that determining the parties that are entitled to conscientious objection beyond health care professionals that are immediately involved with abortion procedures can raise difficult issues. However, section 36 of the Constitution is, once again, a useful tool for resolving any difficulties in this regard.
Die status van fiksies in &apos;n regstaat : opmerkinge oor ouderdomsgrense en die kind as dader en slagoffer in die strafreg
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 19 –35 (2003)
<b>The status of fictions in a constitutional state : observations concerning age limits and the child as perpetrator and victim in criminal law</b>
<br>In the first instance, the origin of age limits in determining criminal liability and also in answering the question whether a child is a victim of a specific (sexual) crime is investigated. Secondly, the development by our courts and legislature of these rules concerning age limits in criminal law are scrutinised. Reference is made throughout to the position in other legal systems. Thereupon, the necessity of age limits in this regard is analysed and evaluated from a rational, constitutional and a general justice point of view. Rigid and unchangeable age limits are pointed out as being fictitious and are rejected as being in conflict with basic principles of rationality and constitutionality as well as general principles of justice.
Hierdie artikel ondersoek eerstens die oorsprong van ouderdomsgrense by bepaling van strafregtelike aanspreeklikheid van kinders asook by beantwoording van die vraag of &apos;n kind &apos;n slagoffer van &apos;n spesifieke (geslags)misdaad is. Tweedens word die ontwikkeling van dié reëls rakende ouderdomsgrense deur ons howe en wetgewer onder die loep geneem. Daar word deurgaans na die posisie in ander regstelsels verwys. Die nodigheid van ouderdomsgrense in dié verband in die strafreg word vervolgens binne rasionele, regstaatlike en algemene geregtigheidsverband geanaliseer en geëvalueer. Rigiede en onveranderbare ouderdomsgrense word as fiktief uitgewys en as onbestaanbaar met rasionele, regstaatlike en algemene geregtigheidsbeginsels verwerp.
Die gebruik van Afrikaans vir die notulering van hofverrigtinge gemeet aan demokratiese standaarde
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 36 –58 (2003)
<b>The use of Afrikaans for the recording of court proceedings measured against democratic standards</b>
<br>Hitherto both Afrikaans and English have been serving as languages for the recording of court proceedings in South African courts. Governmental spokespersons as well as the Minister of Justice, however, hinted at the possibility of opting for a monolingual English dispensation. This article analyses the cases for and against a monolingual system. Instead of judging these arguments in terms of individual sections of the Constitution, a different course is followed. Since the Constitution itself purports to be imbedded in democratic values, such values are exceptionally relevant as a yardstick also for policy regarding language(s) of record in South African courts. The content of democratic values is examined and the arguments pertaining to the matter in question are measured against these values. It is concluded that a monolingual English system for the recording of court proceedings would be incongruent with these democratic values.
Daar word tans nog van beide Afrikaans en Engels vir die notulering van verrigtinge in Suid-Afrikaanse howe gebruik gemaak. Sowel regeringswoordvoerders as die Minister van Justisie het egter te kenne gegee dat &apos;n eentalige Engelse bedeling ingevoer mag word. Hierdie artikel ontleed die saak vir en teen so &apos;n eentalige beding. Dit word egter nie gedoen aan die hand van individuele grondwetlike bepalings nie. Die feit dat die Grondwet voorgee om op demokratiese waardes geskoei te wees, beklemtoon die besondere tersaaklikheid van hierdie waardes, ook as maatstaf vir beleid met betrekking tot die taal/tale van notulering in Suid-Afrikaanse howe. Die inhoud van demokratiese waardes word ondersoek en die argumente rakende die amptelike taalgebruik in die howe word dan aan hierdie waardes gemeet. Die slotsom waartoe gekom word is dat &apos;n eentalige Engelse stelsel vir die notulering van hofverrigtinge indruis teen hierdie demokratiese waardes.
Baby rape : why does the law not protect them?
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 59 –75 (2003)
<b>Baba-verkragting : waarom beskerm die reg hulle nie?</b>
<br>Die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing is die afgelope tyd geskud deur &apos;n toename in gevalle van verkragting van babas en jong kinders. Navorsing dui daarop dat die reg nie voldoende beskerming bied aan die slagoffers van sodanige misdade nie, veral met betrekking tot die ondersoek-proses, en die proses in die howe waar geregtigheid teenoor hierdie weerlose slagoffers dikwels &apos;n innoverende, multi-dissiplinêre benadering vereis. Daar word verwys na die struikelblokke in die regsproses waarmee die slagoffers gekonfronteer word, en die aanbevelings van die S A Regskomissie om die tekortkominge deur wetgewing aan te spreek. Daar word gewaarsku dat die blote daarstel van uitgebreide wetgewing, sonder die praktiese implementering van spesialis-ondersoekspanne en howe (ook in afgeleë gebiede), om sake van hierdie aard te ondersoek en te verhoor, van min waarde sal wees. Daar word aanbeveel dat die instel van spesialis-howe wat op streeksbasis as rondgaande howe funksioneer oorweeg behoort te word.
South African society has recently been confronted by an escalation of baby- and child-rape incidences which cry out for legal intervention. Research has shown that an innovative, multidisciplinary approach is called for to protect babies and young children as victims of violent crime in their quest for justice during investigation and subsequent legal process. Reference is made to the obstacles in the existing legal system confronting these victims, and the proposals of the S A Law Commission to address these shortcomings. A warning is sounded that the mere amendment of the law, extensive though it may be, will remain paper law without the means to implement investigation teams and special courts, supported by the necessary expertise, to investigate and adjudicate cases of this nature. To provide access in remote areas, the institution of special courts operating on a regional basis as circuit courts ought to be considered.
Die vennootskap : goeie huweliksmaat met huwelik of konkubinaat?
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 76 –96 (2003)
<b>The partnership : suitable partner for marriage or concubinate?</b>
<br>In this article the legal position of people in a concubinate relationship after the breakup or dissolution of the relationship in the American, Dutch and South African law is compared. Various attempts in the American law failed to solve the problems that originate with the dissolution of marriages and concubinates or to establish a just and equitable system. In the Netherlands attempts were made to solve problems with living-together relationships, especially between members of the same sex. The South African courts have solved these problems by application of the partnership principles on these relationships through recognition of the universal partnership and its use as a just and equitable remedy.
In hierdie artikel word die regsposisie van persone betrokke in &apos;n samewoningsverhouding na die beëindiging of ontbinding van die verhouding in die Amerikaanse, Nederlandse en Suid-Afrikaanse reg vergelyk. Verskeie pogings is in die Amerikaanse reg aangewend om probleme wat ontstaan by die ontbinding van huwelike of saamwoonverhoudings op te los en &apos;n billike bestel daar te stel. Baie van hierdie pogings was egter tevergeefs. Ook in die Nederlande is deur ondermeer regshervorming gepoog om probleme rakende saamwoonverhoudings, veral waar dit tussen lede van dieselfde geslag was, op te los. Die Suid-Afrikaanse howe het tot &apos;n groot mate hierdie probleme ondervang en opgelos deur die toepassing van vennootskapsregtelike beginsels deurdat die universele vennootskap erken word en as billikheidsremedie toegepas word op hierdie tipe verhoudings.
The constitutional rights of children and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 97 –119 (2003)
<b>Die konstitusionele regte van kinders en die <I>Wet op die Voorkoming van Georganiseerde Misdaad&lt;/I&gt; 121 van 1998</b>
<br>Die <I>Wet op die Voorkoming van Georganiseerde Misdaad&lt;/I&gt; 121 van 1998 vorm deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse regering se program om georganiseerde misdaad, geldwas en die aktitwiteite van kriminele bendes te polisïeer en te beperk. Die Wet maak onder andere voorsiening vir besondere hoë boetes sowel as konfiskasie- en verbeurdverklaringsbevele. Sodanige bevele kan die regte van derde partye op velerlei wyses, direk en indirek, beïnvloed. Konfiskasie- en verbeurdverklarings bevele kan die posisie van kinders beïnvloed omdat die bevele die konstitusionele regte van afhanklike kinders moontlik kan skend. Hierdie kort artikel ondersoek aspekte van die beskerming van die regte van kinders wanneer konfiskasie- en verbeurdverklaringsbevele ingevolge die Wet gemaak word.
The <I>Prevention of Organised Crime Act&lt;/I&gt; 121 of 1998 [POCA] embodies a serious attempt by the South African government to effectively police and curb organised crime, money laundering and criminal gang activities in South Africa. The Act provides <I>inter alia&lt;/I&gt; for a range of crippling fines and for orders such as confiscation and forfeiture. Asset forfeiture and confiscation orders can affect the rights of third parties directly and indirectly in a number of ways. Young persons and children can be affected indirectly because asset forfeiture and confiscation orders may violate the right to parental care of the dependent young persons and children of the person who is subject to the order. This brief article will investigate aspects of the protection afforded to the rights of children when such orders are made in terms of the provisions of the <I>Prevention of Organised Crime Act</I>.
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 120 –132 (2003)
<b>Veelvuldige huwelike, die reg om te begrawe en die rol van &lt;I&gt;lobolo&lt;/I&gt; by die ontbinding van die gebruiklike huwelik</b>
<br>Hierdie artikel beklemtoon drie aspekte van belang vir beide die inheemse- en die gemenereg wat in die <I>Thembisile</I>-saak ter sprake gekom het. &apos;n Evaluering van die wyse waarop die hof die verskillende aangeleenthede hanteer het, word gedoen. Met betrekking tot veelvuldige huwelike, waar &apos;n siviele huwelik ook betrokke is, word daar aan die hand gedoen dat die howe huiwerig behoort te wees om summier of die siviele of die gebruiklike huwelik nietig te verklaar alvorens die verskillende opsies oorweeg is. Waar &apos;n begrafnis ontsier word deur twis oor wie die reg het om te begrawe, word aan die hand gedoen dat &apos;n soepel benadering gevolg moet word. Streng navolging van gemeenregtelike beginsels kan tot onredelike en onregverdige gevolge lei, veral in tradisionele gemeenskappe. Laastens, bleik dit asof daar konflik tussen die amptelike inheemse reg en die "living law" is met betrekking tot die teruggawe van &lt;I&gt;lobolo&lt;/I&gt; by die ontbinding van die gebruiklike huwelik. Empiriese navorsing behoort gedoen te word om vas te stel of &lt;I&gt;lobolo&lt;/I&gt; steeds feitelik teruggegee word.
This paper highlights three aspects which have an impact on both customary and common law that came to the fore in the &lt;I&gt;Thembisile&lt;/I&gt; case. An evaluation of the way in which the court dealt with the different aspects is made. Regarding multiple marriages, where a civil marriage is also involved, it is suggested that the courts should be hesitant to simply declare either the civil or the customary marriage a nullity and should consider the different options available first. Where a funeral is marred by feuds about burial rights, it is suggested that a flexible approach should be followed. Strict adherence to common law principles could lead to unreasonable and inequitable results, especially in traditional communities. Lastly, there seems to be conflict between the official customary law and the living law regarding the return of the &lt;I&gt;lobolo&lt;/I&gt; at the dissolution of a customary marriage. Empirical research should be undertaken to determine whether &lt;I&gt;lobolo&lt;/I&gt; is in fact still returned.
Groepsgedingvoering - die voorstel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Regskommissie vir die sertifisering van &apos;n groepsgeding
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 133 –153 (2003)
<b>Class actions - the proposal of the South African Law Commission for the certification thereof</b>
Die beskerming van skuldeisers ingevolge artikel 34 van die Insolvensiewet na &apos;n skikkingsooreenkoms : case note
Journal for Juridical Science 28, pp 154 –162 (2003)
Extracted from text ... AL Stander, PU vir CHO, Potchefstroom. Vonnisbesprekings / Case notes Die beskerming van skuldeisers ingevolge artikel 34 van die Insolvensiewet na &apos;n skikkingsooreenkoms 1. Inleiding Artikel 34 van die Insolvensiewet 24 van 1936 handel oor die nietige verkoop van &apos;n besigheid. Artikel 34(1) bepaal dat indien &apos;n handelaar &apos;n besigheid wat aan hom behoort, of die klandisie van so &apos;n besigheid, of goedere of eiendom wat &apos;n deel daarvan is, oordra ingevolge &apos;n kontrak (behalwe in die gewone loop van daardie besigheid of tot die versekering van die betaling van &apos;n skuld), en so &apos;n handelaar publiseer nie die ..