Student Number: 35167831
SJD1501
Assignment 5
Unique Number: 586582
Due Date: 7 April 2015
Submission Date: 5 April 2015 Case Report 1
BOB HEWITT ‘SHOULD FACE MORE CHARGES’ Weekend Argus, p.13, Saturday March 28: 2015
Question 1
(a) Case Summary
The first victim to relate her abuse publically, leading to accusations by nine other women, three of whom are South African, expressed this reaction at the verdict rendered by a court which found the champion-turned-coach guilty of two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
Despite the police report, filed four years earlier by the first victim, the district attorney’s office elected not to prosecute the tennis coach leaving the first victim to autonomously investigate …show more content…
The SAPS depends upon community members to notice and report crimes involving children. The National Prosecuting Authority (hereinafter referred to as the NPA) relies on the investigative work of the SAPS to prosecute the accused. The judiciary depends upon work of the NPA and the Legislature and Executive for the promulgation of effective legislation. All of these functionaries are important in the eradication of child abuse.
This is uBuntu, all South Africans assuming responsibility to co-create the nation envisioned by the ideals of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution).
Furthermore, both of these articles demonstrate that social values have evolved in response to changes in the law resulting in a society more aware of children’s entitlements and intolerant of any form of child abuse. An example of an international instrument ascended to by South Africa is the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child. Legislation enacted in South Africa to protect the rights of children is the Children’s Act 38 of …show more content…
This article focuses on the role of the prosecutor, demonstrating how a state advocate supported by appropriate legislative amendments and a personal drive can successfully prosecute child abusers, sending an effective message to offenders.
The precariousness of witness testimony and the significance of collaborating evidence is emphasised by this case.
(b) Was Justice Served?
I reiterate my opinion that no justice can be attained for these crimes. However, the accused was convicted. Furthermore, the accused’s international reputation was destroyed. This provides a measure of justice to his victims. The sentence of the accused will influence the degree to which justice was served. Case Report 3
MY FATHER RAPED ME FOR EIGHT YEARS Mail and Guardian, p.5, Friday
April 2: 2015
Question 1
(a) Case Summary
A minor daughter was repeatedly assaulted and raped by her father, bearing him two children, for an extended period of time. Adult relatives, including her mother, knew of the abuse and did not assist her. Courageously, she reported her father’s crimes to the SAPS despite his threats to assault or kill her should she do so. Then, the criminal justice system failed