Suspension in the disciplinary process
- Authors: Grigor, Charles Miller
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employees -- Suspension , Labor discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020966
- Description: Employers often wrestle with whether or not to suspend an employee and the issue is what needs to be done before an employee could be suspended. Suspending an employee means to deprive him or her from entering the work place for a period of time, due to alleged misconduct which, due to the nature of the alleged misconduct and in the opinion of the employer, warrants the employee not to be in or near the workplace. Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, affords every employee the right to fair labour practices and this right should be affected by the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA). Unfortunately the LRA only deals with the unfair suspension under the definition of an unfair labour practice in section 186(2) by stating that the meaning of unfair labour practice is any act or omission that arises between an employer and an employee involving the unfair suspension of an employee or any other unfair disciplinary action short of dismissal in respect of an employee. The focus of this document thus is to scrutinise the lack of legislative guidelines relating to the procedural fairness of suspension of employees. It would thus necessitate an overview of the nature of suspension which would be discussed in length by way of referring to the right to suspend an employee as well as the application of the courts in such cases, the distinction between suspension as a preventative, or as a punitive measure and the possibility of suspension resulting in an unfair labour practice. The distinction between preventative and punitive suspensions are highlighted. Since it is not clear when, how and for how long an employee may be suspended, in the absence of clear guidelines, employers have to turn to the courts’ interpretation to get the necessary guidance on the application of a suspension. In order to ensure that the employer, experiencing unnecessary difficulty with the implementation of procedural fairness of suspensions, in a meaningful way, be assisted by the proposal that legislature consider to address this by including clear guidelines under Item 3 of Schedule 8 of the LRA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Grigor, Charles Miller
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employees -- Suspension , Labor discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10255 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020966
- Description: Employers often wrestle with whether or not to suspend an employee and the issue is what needs to be done before an employee could be suspended. Suspending an employee means to deprive him or her from entering the work place for a period of time, due to alleged misconduct which, due to the nature of the alleged misconduct and in the opinion of the employer, warrants the employee not to be in or near the workplace. Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, affords every employee the right to fair labour practices and this right should be affected by the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (LRA). Unfortunately the LRA only deals with the unfair suspension under the definition of an unfair labour practice in section 186(2) by stating that the meaning of unfair labour practice is any act or omission that arises between an employer and an employee involving the unfair suspension of an employee or any other unfair disciplinary action short of dismissal in respect of an employee. The focus of this document thus is to scrutinise the lack of legislative guidelines relating to the procedural fairness of suspension of employees. It would thus necessitate an overview of the nature of suspension which would be discussed in length by way of referring to the right to suspend an employee as well as the application of the courts in such cases, the distinction between suspension as a preventative, or as a punitive measure and the possibility of suspension resulting in an unfair labour practice. The distinction between preventative and punitive suspensions are highlighted. Since it is not clear when, how and for how long an employee may be suspended, in the absence of clear guidelines, employers have to turn to the courts’ interpretation to get the necessary guidance on the application of a suspension. In order to ensure that the employer, experiencing unnecessary difficulty with the implementation of procedural fairness of suspensions, in a meaningful way, be assisted by the proposal that legislature consider to address this by including clear guidelines under Item 3 of Schedule 8 of the LRA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The criminalization of HIV/AIDS : a comparative analysis
- Authors: Myburgh, Rene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation -- South Africa. , HIV-positive persons -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Liability (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020754
- Description: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)1 and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)2 have become a global epidemic. With an average of 35.3 million people infected with the virus worldwide, countries are desperate to curb HIV infections.3 Most HIV positive men, women and children are found in Sub-Saharan Africa.4 In an attempt to fight HIV/AIDS, some countries have opted for an approach of criminalization, where it is a crime to infect or expose another person to the virus.5 Other countries, such as South Africa, have chosen to avoid the criminalization approach, and to focus rather on public health schemes that can assist in the prevention of transmission. The United Nations (UN) has stated that overly broad application of criminal law to HIV raises serious human rights and public health concerns.7 Because of these concerns, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has urged states to limit application of criminal law to HIV-related cases.8 Furthermore, UNAIDS has urged states to rather employ scientifically proven methods to prevent HIV transmission. This treatise will set out the laws adopted by Canada, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa. Out of all five countries, South Africa is the only country that does not criminalize HIV transmission or exposure.10 In setting out the common law, statute law, case law as well as academic considerations, this treatise will attempt to identify trends in the current criminalization of HIV climate. In addition to setting out the law in the five countries, this treatise seeks to show that South Africa is one of the few countries with a developed legal system to shy away from criminalization. This treatise also seeks to establish whether South Africa’s approach is a suitable option for the country, considering it boasts the highest HIV infection rate in the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Myburgh, Rene
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation -- South Africa. , HIV-positive persons -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Liability (Law) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10185 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020754
- Description: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)1 and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)2 have become a global epidemic. With an average of 35.3 million people infected with the virus worldwide, countries are desperate to curb HIV infections.3 Most HIV positive men, women and children are found in Sub-Saharan Africa.4 In an attempt to fight HIV/AIDS, some countries have opted for an approach of criminalization, where it is a crime to infect or expose another person to the virus.5 Other countries, such as South Africa, have chosen to avoid the criminalization approach, and to focus rather on public health schemes that can assist in the prevention of transmission. The United Nations (UN) has stated that overly broad application of criminal law to HIV raises serious human rights and public health concerns.7 Because of these concerns, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has urged states to limit application of criminal law to HIV-related cases.8 Furthermore, UNAIDS has urged states to rather employ scientifically proven methods to prevent HIV transmission. This treatise will set out the laws adopted by Canada, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa. Out of all five countries, South Africa is the only country that does not criminalize HIV transmission or exposure.10 In setting out the common law, statute law, case law as well as academic considerations, this treatise will attempt to identify trends in the current criminalization of HIV climate. In addition to setting out the law in the five countries, this treatise seeks to show that South Africa is one of the few countries with a developed legal system to shy away from criminalization. This treatise also seeks to establish whether South Africa’s approach is a suitable option for the country, considering it boasts the highest HIV infection rate in the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The criterion of justifiability as a ground for review following Sidumo v Rustenburg Platinum Mines (2007) 12 BLLR 1097 (CC)
- Fischat, Herbert Robert James Falconer
- Authors: Fischat, Herbert Robert James Falconer
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , udicial review -- South Africa , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Mineral industries -- South Africa -- Employees , Conflict of laws -- Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019792
- Description: This treatise will focus on the review of labour arbitration awards provided for under the oversight of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), bargaining councils, statutory councils, accredited private agencies and approved private arbitration tribunals. The general grounds of review applicable to the arbitration awards of the different bodies are set out. Thereafter the case of Carephone (Pty) Limited v Marcus NO & others (1998) 19 ILJ 1452 (LAC) is analysed and the core principles pertaining to the justifiability test are clarified for the first time in the forum of the Labour Appeal Court. The judicial rationale for the relevance and applicability of the test to CCMA arbitration proceedings and criticisms of the test are examined. The justifiability tests are only applicable to review proceedings in CCMA matters and not available to private arbitration review matters. There are however three approaches which are being suggested for the application of the justifiability tests to private arbitration review. Firstly, it is suggested that the Arbitration Act could be interpreted to include the justifiability test under the statutory review grounds. Secondly, the arbitration agreements could be interpreted to include an implied term that the arbitrator is under a duty to give justifiable awards. Finally, it can be submitted that the law should be developed by reading into all arbitration agreements the ability to arbitrators to give justifiable awards. Since the judgment of Sidumo v Rustenburg Platinum Mines [2007] 12 BLLR 1097 (CC) various critical questions arose in relation to the interpretation and application for the purpose of dealing with subsequent review applications. Firstly, this research paper will seek to establish whether the courts in subsequent matters to the Sidumo judgment have interpreted reasonableness as a test or ground for review. Secondly the research paper will scrutinise case law whether the reviewing court is entitled to rely on and consider reasons other than those provided for by the commissioner in his award to determine inter alia, the reasonableness of his decision arrived at. The Constitutional Court in the Sidumo case rejected the so-called employer’s test, stating that ultimately the commissioner’s sense of fairness is what must prevail and not the employer’s view. Consequently an impartial determination whether or not a dismissal was fair is likely to promote labour peace amongst the labour force. The test arrived at by the Constitutional Court in the Sidumo case for determining whether a decision or arbitration award of a CCMA commissioner is reasonable, is a stringent test that will ensure that such awards are not easily interfered with. The question to be asked in determining whether there has been compliance with the standard is whether the decision of the commissioner is one which a reasonable decision maker could have reached. This approach will underpin the primary objectives of the Labour Relations Act which is the effective resolution of disputes. This finding will be apparent from important cases decided and discussed after the Sidumo landmark ruling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Fischat, Herbert Robert James Falconer
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Arbitration, Industrial -- South Africa , udicial review -- South Africa , Dispute resolution (Law) -- South Africa , Mineral industries -- South Africa -- Employees , Conflict of laws -- Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10246 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019792
- Description: This treatise will focus on the review of labour arbitration awards provided for under the oversight of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), bargaining councils, statutory councils, accredited private agencies and approved private arbitration tribunals. The general grounds of review applicable to the arbitration awards of the different bodies are set out. Thereafter the case of Carephone (Pty) Limited v Marcus NO & others (1998) 19 ILJ 1452 (LAC) is analysed and the core principles pertaining to the justifiability test are clarified for the first time in the forum of the Labour Appeal Court. The judicial rationale for the relevance and applicability of the test to CCMA arbitration proceedings and criticisms of the test are examined. The justifiability tests are only applicable to review proceedings in CCMA matters and not available to private arbitration review matters. There are however three approaches which are being suggested for the application of the justifiability tests to private arbitration review. Firstly, it is suggested that the Arbitration Act could be interpreted to include the justifiability test under the statutory review grounds. Secondly, the arbitration agreements could be interpreted to include an implied term that the arbitrator is under a duty to give justifiable awards. Finally, it can be submitted that the law should be developed by reading into all arbitration agreements the ability to arbitrators to give justifiable awards. Since the judgment of Sidumo v Rustenburg Platinum Mines [2007] 12 BLLR 1097 (CC) various critical questions arose in relation to the interpretation and application for the purpose of dealing with subsequent review applications. Firstly, this research paper will seek to establish whether the courts in subsequent matters to the Sidumo judgment have interpreted reasonableness as a test or ground for review. Secondly the research paper will scrutinise case law whether the reviewing court is entitled to rely on and consider reasons other than those provided for by the commissioner in his award to determine inter alia, the reasonableness of his decision arrived at. The Constitutional Court in the Sidumo case rejected the so-called employer’s test, stating that ultimately the commissioner’s sense of fairness is what must prevail and not the employer’s view. Consequently an impartial determination whether or not a dismissal was fair is likely to promote labour peace amongst the labour force. The test arrived at by the Constitutional Court in the Sidumo case for determining whether a decision or arbitration award of a CCMA commissioner is reasonable, is a stringent test that will ensure that such awards are not easily interfered with. The question to be asked in determining whether there has been compliance with the standard is whether the decision of the commissioner is one which a reasonable decision maker could have reached. This approach will underpin the primary objectives of the Labour Relations Act which is the effective resolution of disputes. This finding will be apparent from important cases decided and discussed after the Sidumo landmark ruling.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The effect of labour legislation in the promotion and integration of persons with disabilities in the labour market
- Authors: Cole, Elsabe Cynthia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , People with disabilities -- Employment , Labour market
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:9300 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014669
- Description: It is argued that a lack of adequate legislation in pre-1994 South Africa resulted in inequality in the workplace and in society in general. The new democracy intended to address this by promulgated legislation and today the South Africa Constitutional and legislative provisions promoting equality are viewed as amongst the most progressive in the world. Conversely, this progressive legislation aimed to protect against discrimination, still seems to fail the very people it intended to promote and protect. The new legislation created awareness of the need for equality; the right of workers to employment – or at least to decent working conditions. The right to equality is accorded to everybody through the Constitution of South Africa. The Bill of Rights is based on the notion of equality before the law, and the prohibition of discrimination on various grounds. Despite this, the perception exist that persons with disabilities as a minority group are still being marginalised and are restricted in their right to exercise the right to participate and make a meaningful contribution to the labour market. This not only seems to be in contradiction with the Constitutional right to choose an occupation, but has wider social and economic consequences. The ethos of equality legislation is to ensure that the workplace is representative of the society we live in. It is understandable that labour as a social phenomenon is not only concerned with workplace related issues but with aspects encompassing the whole of the socio-political and economic scene. South African labour legislation drafted over the last two decades strives to align with the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisations and in terms of the obligations of South Africa as a member state. However, the question prevails: is this legislation adequate to address the discrimination and inequality experienced by persons with disability? If so, why do statistics indicate such high unemployment amongst this group? Yet, there is a growing awareness that persons with disabilities represent enormous, untapped economic potential. According to the ILO report on The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities (1997), much has been accomplished in the international arena in recent years to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the workplace. This treatise will attempt to evaluate the efficacy of South African legislation in the promotion and integration of persons with disabilities in the labour market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Cole, Elsabe Cynthia
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , People with disabilities -- Employment , Labour market
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:9300 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014669
- Description: It is argued that a lack of adequate legislation in pre-1994 South Africa resulted in inequality in the workplace and in society in general. The new democracy intended to address this by promulgated legislation and today the South Africa Constitutional and legislative provisions promoting equality are viewed as amongst the most progressive in the world. Conversely, this progressive legislation aimed to protect against discrimination, still seems to fail the very people it intended to promote and protect. The new legislation created awareness of the need for equality; the right of workers to employment – or at least to decent working conditions. The right to equality is accorded to everybody through the Constitution of South Africa. The Bill of Rights is based on the notion of equality before the law, and the prohibition of discrimination on various grounds. Despite this, the perception exist that persons with disabilities as a minority group are still being marginalised and are restricted in their right to exercise the right to participate and make a meaningful contribution to the labour market. This not only seems to be in contradiction with the Constitutional right to choose an occupation, but has wider social and economic consequences. The ethos of equality legislation is to ensure that the workplace is representative of the society we live in. It is understandable that labour as a social phenomenon is not only concerned with workplace related issues but with aspects encompassing the whole of the socio-political and economic scene. South African labour legislation drafted over the last two decades strives to align with the conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisations and in terms of the obligations of South Africa as a member state. However, the question prevails: is this legislation adequate to address the discrimination and inequality experienced by persons with disability? If so, why do statistics indicate such high unemployment amongst this group? Yet, there is a growing awareness that persons with disabilities represent enormous, untapped economic potential. According to the ILO report on The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities (1997), much has been accomplished in the international arena in recent years to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in the workplace. This treatise will attempt to evaluate the efficacy of South African legislation in the promotion and integration of persons with disabilities in the labour market.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The employment relationship of employees employed in terms of section 56 and 57 in the local government sector
- Authors: Kruger, Willem Adriaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employees -- South Africa , Local government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018634
- Description: Since the democratisation of South Africa in 1994, new emphasis was placed on therole of structures of authority put in place by government. As in most other countries these structures operate on national, provincial and local levels. Particular prominence was placed on local authorities, responsible to act as custodians of the communities they serve by rendering essential services and products, upholding the local democracy and complying to the democracy’s developmental role within their jurisdiction. Management of local authorities are highlighted because of the direct and visual delivery of essential services to the communities they serve. The prominence of their responsibilities, more than in other spheres of government, are emphasised by the fact that its efficacy is critically and directly tested on an on-going basis by the communities within its boundaries – it affects the life and often the quality of life of almost everybody. Local authorities derive their status and power from the Constitution which states, inter alia, that the executive and legislative authority of municipalities is vested in their municipal council. Furthermore municipalities have the right to govern on own initiative the local government affairs of their communities subject to national and provincial legislation but with the proviso that these levels of government are not allowed to compromise or impede on the municipality’s ability or right to properly perform its functions or exercise its rights. In terms of the Constitution the municipal councils are democratically elected bodies based on the multiparty political dispensation of the community. In accordance the governance of a municipality is vested in the politically convictions and preferences of the council who, by virtue of legislation applicable to local authorities, is entitled to appoint the Municipal Manager and Managers reporting directly to it. Since councils are term bound elected bodies – which in addition may change its composition due to interim and by-elections and the transient nature of political expediencies – the appointment of municipalities’ senior executives are for limited duration only, with terms linked to those of the councils.This treatise will focus on the effect of the above on these managers and their ability to fulfil their constitutional duties with professionalism, fairness and objectivity whilst endeavouring to juggle community needs, political preferences, and self-preservation without impacting negatively on the provision of service of excellence. Specific attention will be given to practices that evolved within the sphere of local authorities pertaining to this type of employee and the compliances and conflicts of such with existing and proposed amended labour legislation – both factual and within the spirit and intent of the Constitution. Due to the intricate relationship between the different spheres of government and legislation involved, it was necessary to first deal with the background against which senior municipal managers are employed in order to discuss the employment relationship per se.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Kruger, Willem Adriaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employees -- South Africa , Local government
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10272 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1018634
- Description: Since the democratisation of South Africa in 1994, new emphasis was placed on therole of structures of authority put in place by government. As in most other countries these structures operate on national, provincial and local levels. Particular prominence was placed on local authorities, responsible to act as custodians of the communities they serve by rendering essential services and products, upholding the local democracy and complying to the democracy’s developmental role within their jurisdiction. Management of local authorities are highlighted because of the direct and visual delivery of essential services to the communities they serve. The prominence of their responsibilities, more than in other spheres of government, are emphasised by the fact that its efficacy is critically and directly tested on an on-going basis by the communities within its boundaries – it affects the life and often the quality of life of almost everybody. Local authorities derive their status and power from the Constitution which states, inter alia, that the executive and legislative authority of municipalities is vested in their municipal council. Furthermore municipalities have the right to govern on own initiative the local government affairs of their communities subject to national and provincial legislation but with the proviso that these levels of government are not allowed to compromise or impede on the municipality’s ability or right to properly perform its functions or exercise its rights. In terms of the Constitution the municipal councils are democratically elected bodies based on the multiparty political dispensation of the community. In accordance the governance of a municipality is vested in the politically convictions and preferences of the council who, by virtue of legislation applicable to local authorities, is entitled to appoint the Municipal Manager and Managers reporting directly to it. Since councils are term bound elected bodies – which in addition may change its composition due to interim and by-elections and the transient nature of political expediencies – the appointment of municipalities’ senior executives are for limited duration only, with terms linked to those of the councils.This treatise will focus on the effect of the above on these managers and their ability to fulfil their constitutional duties with professionalism, fairness and objectivity whilst endeavouring to juggle community needs, political preferences, and self-preservation without impacting negatively on the provision of service of excellence. Specific attention will be given to practices that evolved within the sphere of local authorities pertaining to this type of employee and the compliances and conflicts of such with existing and proposed amended labour legislation – both factual and within the spirit and intent of the Constitution. Due to the intricate relationship between the different spheres of government and legislation involved, it was necessary to first deal with the background against which senior municipal managers are employed in order to discuss the employment relationship per se.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of minimum sentence legislation on South African criminal law
- Authors: Du Plessis, Jan Andriaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa , Capital punishment -- South Africa , Human rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020037x
- Description: The Criminal Law Amendment Act introduced a scheme where minimum sentences are prescribed for serious offences into the South African Criminal Law. The limitations put on the courts’ sentencing discretion were not received with unanimous approval from all quarters. The Constitutional Court declared the general working of the Act to be constitutional soon after its inception. Specific provisions pertaining to certain offences remained unpopular. The hefty sentence of 15 years imprisonment prescribed for the possession of a semi-automatic firearm is put forward as an example in this regard. High Courts avoid the minimum sentence prescribed for this offence by using different interpretational methods. Despite the sense of animosity towards the unfair contents of this provision, no ruling is made on the constitutionality thereof. An apparent deference towards the legislature could be detected on the part of the judiciary. South African jurisprudence discourages our courts to rule on the constitutionality of a law. It is only done when the defect could not be remedied by any other available means. The reluctance of our courts to make a ruling on the constitutionality of the semi-automatic provision does not promote legal certainty. High Courts attach different interpretations to the “true intention” of the legislature in order to bypass this provision. Logic dictates that inexperienced presiding officers with inferior interpretational skills would continue to hand down the minimum sentence while it remains on the law books. A sentence of fifteen years is also prescribed for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The existing common law on the interpretation of the definition of this offence provides for a wide range of human conduct to be included. Case law could be expected where the courts deviate from the prescribed sentence on a regular basis. This unscientific approach should be discouraged and a rethinking of the boundaries of this offence is suggested. The Act is doing more harm than good to our Criminal Law. The legislature could still provide other visible measures against serious crime without invading the sentencing discretion of the judiciary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Du Plessis, Jan Andriaan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa , Capital punishment -- South Africa , Human rights -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020037x
- Description: The Criminal Law Amendment Act introduced a scheme where minimum sentences are prescribed for serious offences into the South African Criminal Law. The limitations put on the courts’ sentencing discretion were not received with unanimous approval from all quarters. The Constitutional Court declared the general working of the Act to be constitutional soon after its inception. Specific provisions pertaining to certain offences remained unpopular. The hefty sentence of 15 years imprisonment prescribed for the possession of a semi-automatic firearm is put forward as an example in this regard. High Courts avoid the minimum sentence prescribed for this offence by using different interpretational methods. Despite the sense of animosity towards the unfair contents of this provision, no ruling is made on the constitutionality thereof. An apparent deference towards the legislature could be detected on the part of the judiciary. South African jurisprudence discourages our courts to rule on the constitutionality of a law. It is only done when the defect could not be remedied by any other available means. The reluctance of our courts to make a ruling on the constitutionality of the semi-automatic provision does not promote legal certainty. High Courts attach different interpretations to the “true intention” of the legislature in order to bypass this provision. Logic dictates that inexperienced presiding officers with inferior interpretational skills would continue to hand down the minimum sentence while it remains on the law books. A sentence of fifteen years is also prescribed for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The existing common law on the interpretation of the definition of this offence provides for a wide range of human conduct to be included. Case law could be expected where the courts deviate from the prescribed sentence on a regular basis. This unscientific approach should be discouraged and a rethinking of the boundaries of this offence is suggested. The Act is doing more harm than good to our Criminal Law. The legislature could still provide other visible measures against serious crime without invading the sentencing discretion of the judiciary.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The legal consequences of failure to give effect to affirmative action measures
- Authors: Burton, Colin Peter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012904
- Description: In South African law, affirmative action has been a very controversial topic over the years. 5 Controversial issues such as perceptions and reactions of affirmative action in the South African context are varied. 6 These reactions are often categorised as politically explosive and emotionally charged. 7 Most people fear the implications of affirmative action, more specifically the impact thereof on their individual positions within the workplace.8 Those who feel threatened by these measures, tend to question the political and ethical legitimacy thereof. 9 Those who stand to benefit from these measures often dislike the labelling associated with these measures. 10 Confusion also exits in greater society about relationship between the equal opportunity, black advancement, affirmative action and diversity management paradigms and related practices. The sources of conflicting reactions to affirmative action stem from individual, group and cultural believes and values which were both shaped by the political realities of the previous regime and the ideals people cherish for themselves in the current dispensation. Colonialist and apartheid laws, policies and practices which were racist and patriarchal provided for separate societies for blacks, whites, Indians and coloureds. 11 At this point in time separate labour systems with job reservation were applicable for whites. There were also wage differentiations between white and black people and between sexes. 12 Furthermore, disabled people were kept dependant and there were also discriminatory legislative provisions against them. 13 This history of systemic discrimination and its resulting inequality and entrenched disadvantage for black, coloured and Indian women and the disabled, was and still is well-known both nationally and internationally. 14 Internationally, apartheid has been extensively disapproved. Examples hereof include the United Nations that declared apartheid and its impact a “crime against humanity” and a negation of the United Nations Charter, 15 expressions of censure culminated in the adoption of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crimes of Apartheid16 and the expulsion of South Africa from the United Nations and its agencies. 17 Nationally, on the other hand, South Africa promulgated several legislative pieces namely, the Constitution, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 and the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Burton, Colin Peter
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Affirmative action programs -- Law and legislation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10239 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012904
- Description: In South African law, affirmative action has been a very controversial topic over the years. 5 Controversial issues such as perceptions and reactions of affirmative action in the South African context are varied. 6 These reactions are often categorised as politically explosive and emotionally charged. 7 Most people fear the implications of affirmative action, more specifically the impact thereof on their individual positions within the workplace.8 Those who feel threatened by these measures, tend to question the political and ethical legitimacy thereof. 9 Those who stand to benefit from these measures often dislike the labelling associated with these measures. 10 Confusion also exits in greater society about relationship between the equal opportunity, black advancement, affirmative action and diversity management paradigms and related practices. The sources of conflicting reactions to affirmative action stem from individual, group and cultural believes and values which were both shaped by the political realities of the previous regime and the ideals people cherish for themselves in the current dispensation. Colonialist and apartheid laws, policies and practices which were racist and patriarchal provided for separate societies for blacks, whites, Indians and coloureds. 11 At this point in time separate labour systems with job reservation were applicable for whites. There were also wage differentiations between white and black people and between sexes. 12 Furthermore, disabled people were kept dependant and there were also discriminatory legislative provisions against them. 13 This history of systemic discrimination and its resulting inequality and entrenched disadvantage for black, coloured and Indian women and the disabled, was and still is well-known both nationally and internationally. 14 Internationally, apartheid has been extensively disapproved. Examples hereof include the United Nations that declared apartheid and its impact a “crime against humanity” and a negation of the United Nations Charter, 15 expressions of censure culminated in the adoption of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crimes of Apartheid16 and the expulsion of South Africa from the United Nations and its agencies. 17 Nationally, on the other hand, South Africa promulgated several legislative pieces namely, the Constitution, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 and the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The legal protection of temporary employees
- Authors: Gillespie, Neil
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee rights -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labor contract -- South Africa , Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019793
- Description: This paper is divided into two distinct sections. The first being an analysis of the legal protection of temporary employees as things currently stand. It deals with the various labour laws that currently regulate temporary employment as well as the temporary employment contract and the common-law. The second section summarises and analyses the provisions of the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill as they apply to fixed-term employees. Temporary employees are protected by the general protection extended to all employees in terms of section 23(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, guaranteeing all employees the “right to fair labour practice”. The Labour Relations Act has as one of its main objectives to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights contained in the Constitution. Thus the Labour Relations Act must not only give effect to constitutional rights but it must also ensure that it in no way unreasonably or unjustly denies or limits constitutional rights. Temporary employees have a number of labour laws protecting their interests. Where the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, a Bargaining Council Agreement or a Sectoral Determination do not apply the employee will rely on the terms of the fixed-term employment contract and thereafter the common law for protection. The only protection offered to temporary employees contained in the Labour Relations Act is in section 186(1)(b), where a dismissal is defined to include the non-renewal of temporary contracts of employment where there is a reasonable expectation of renewal on the same or similar terms. This provision has proved to be highly controversial in that it does not expressly cater for temporary employees who harbour reasonable expectations of indefinite employment. An analysis is made of the most important cases relating to section 186(1)(b). The second section unpacks and critically analyses the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill which have been long in the offing and when they are finally enacted, will bring with them sweeping changes for atypical employment . The amendments will drastically change the way employers make use of fixed-term employees as well as the way in which Temporary Employment Services may conduct business if they are in fact able to keep working at all. There is very little literature of substance written about the Labour Relations Amendment Bill as it applies to atypical employment. The fact that the proposed amendments have changed so many times over such a long period of time might have deterred many writers from investing time and effort in attempts to analyse and summarise the amendments. Articles posted on the internet are in the main short and have very little content. No books were found with any discussion that pertains to the amendments. The amendments divide employees involved in atypical employment into two different categories. These categories consist of employees earning above the threshold in terms of section 6(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and those earning below this threshold. All fixed-term employees may rely on the provisions of section 186 of the Labour Relations Act. Employees earning below the threshold are considered to be the most vulnerable and have been afforded additional protections in terms of sections 198(A), (B) and (C). Issues surrounding Temporary Employment Services and fixed-term employees have been very divisive and have been the topics of heated debate at all levels of Industrial Relations for a long time. Discussions regarding the use of the services of Temporary Employment Services can be highly emotive, with Temporary Employment Services being accused of committing wideThis paper is divided into two distinct sections. The first being an analysis of the legal protection of temporary employees as things currently stand. It deals with the various labour laws that currently regulate temporary employment as well as the temporary employment contract and the common-law. The second section summarises and analyses the provisions of the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill as they apply to fixed-term employees. Temporary employees are protected by the general protection extended to all employees in terms of section 23(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, guaranteeing all employees the “right to fair labour practice”. The Labour Relations Act has as one of its main objectives to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights contained in the Constitution. Thus the Labour Relations Act must not only give effect to constitutional rights but it must also ensure that it in no way unreasonably or unjustly denies or limits constitutional rights. Temporary employees have a number of labour laws protecting their interests. Where the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, a Bargaining Council Agreement or a Sectoral Determination do not apply the employee will rely on the terms of the fixed-term employment contract and thereafter the common law for protection. The only protection offered to temporary employees contained in the Labour Relations Act is in section 186(1)(b), where a dismissal is defined to include the non-renewal of temporary contracts of employment where there is a reasonable expectation of renewal on the same or similar terms. This provision has proved to be highly controversial in that it does not expressly cater for temporary employees who harbour reasonable expectations of indefinite employment. An analysis is made of the most important cases relating to section 186(1)(b). The second section unpacks and critically analyses the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill which have been long in the offing and when they are finally enacted, will bring with them sweeping changes for atypical employment . The amendments will drastically change the way employers make use of fixed-term employees as well as the way in which Temporary Employment Services may conduct business if they are in fact able to keep working at all. There is very little literature of substance written about the Labour Relations Amendment Bill as it applies to atypical employment. The fact that the proposed amendments have changed so many times over such a long period of time might have deterred many writers from investing time and effort in attempts to analyse and summarise the amendments. Articles posted on the internet are in the main short and have very little content. No books were found with any discussion that pertains to the amendments. The amendments divide employees involved in atypical employment into two different categories. These categories consist of employees earning above the threshold in terms of section 6(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and those earning below this threshold. All fixed-term employees may rely on the provisions of section 186 of the Labour Relations Act. Employees earning below the threshold are considered to be the most vulnerable and have been afforded additional protections in terms of sections 198(A), (B) and (C).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gillespie, Neil
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee rights -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Labor contract -- South Africa , Industrial relations -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10287 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019793
- Description: This paper is divided into two distinct sections. The first being an analysis of the legal protection of temporary employees as things currently stand. It deals with the various labour laws that currently regulate temporary employment as well as the temporary employment contract and the common-law. The second section summarises and analyses the provisions of the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill as they apply to fixed-term employees. Temporary employees are protected by the general protection extended to all employees in terms of section 23(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, guaranteeing all employees the “right to fair labour practice”. The Labour Relations Act has as one of its main objectives to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights contained in the Constitution. Thus the Labour Relations Act must not only give effect to constitutional rights but it must also ensure that it in no way unreasonably or unjustly denies or limits constitutional rights. Temporary employees have a number of labour laws protecting their interests. Where the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, a Bargaining Council Agreement or a Sectoral Determination do not apply the employee will rely on the terms of the fixed-term employment contract and thereafter the common law for protection. The only protection offered to temporary employees contained in the Labour Relations Act is in section 186(1)(b), where a dismissal is defined to include the non-renewal of temporary contracts of employment where there is a reasonable expectation of renewal on the same or similar terms. This provision has proved to be highly controversial in that it does not expressly cater for temporary employees who harbour reasonable expectations of indefinite employment. An analysis is made of the most important cases relating to section 186(1)(b). The second section unpacks and critically analyses the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill which have been long in the offing and when they are finally enacted, will bring with them sweeping changes for atypical employment . The amendments will drastically change the way employers make use of fixed-term employees as well as the way in which Temporary Employment Services may conduct business if they are in fact able to keep working at all. There is very little literature of substance written about the Labour Relations Amendment Bill as it applies to atypical employment. The fact that the proposed amendments have changed so many times over such a long period of time might have deterred many writers from investing time and effort in attempts to analyse and summarise the amendments. Articles posted on the internet are in the main short and have very little content. No books were found with any discussion that pertains to the amendments. The amendments divide employees involved in atypical employment into two different categories. These categories consist of employees earning above the threshold in terms of section 6(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and those earning below this threshold. All fixed-term employees may rely on the provisions of section 186 of the Labour Relations Act. Employees earning below the threshold are considered to be the most vulnerable and have been afforded additional protections in terms of sections 198(A), (B) and (C). Issues surrounding Temporary Employment Services and fixed-term employees have been very divisive and have been the topics of heated debate at all levels of Industrial Relations for a long time. Discussions regarding the use of the services of Temporary Employment Services can be highly emotive, with Temporary Employment Services being accused of committing wideThis paper is divided into two distinct sections. The first being an analysis of the legal protection of temporary employees as things currently stand. It deals with the various labour laws that currently regulate temporary employment as well as the temporary employment contract and the common-law. The second section summarises and analyses the provisions of the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill as they apply to fixed-term employees. Temporary employees are protected by the general protection extended to all employees in terms of section 23(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, guaranteeing all employees the “right to fair labour practice”. The Labour Relations Act has as one of its main objectives to give effect to and regulate the fundamental rights contained in the Constitution. Thus the Labour Relations Act must not only give effect to constitutional rights but it must also ensure that it in no way unreasonably or unjustly denies or limits constitutional rights. Temporary employees have a number of labour laws protecting their interests. Where the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, a Bargaining Council Agreement or a Sectoral Determination do not apply the employee will rely on the terms of the fixed-term employment contract and thereafter the common law for protection. The only protection offered to temporary employees contained in the Labour Relations Act is in section 186(1)(b), where a dismissal is defined to include the non-renewal of temporary contracts of employment where there is a reasonable expectation of renewal on the same or similar terms. This provision has proved to be highly controversial in that it does not expressly cater for temporary employees who harbour reasonable expectations of indefinite employment. An analysis is made of the most important cases relating to section 186(1)(b). The second section unpacks and critically analyses the Labour Relations Amendment Bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment Bill which have been long in the offing and when they are finally enacted, will bring with them sweeping changes for atypical employment . The amendments will drastically change the way employers make use of fixed-term employees as well as the way in which Temporary Employment Services may conduct business if they are in fact able to keep working at all. There is very little literature of substance written about the Labour Relations Amendment Bill as it applies to atypical employment. The fact that the proposed amendments have changed so many times over such a long period of time might have deterred many writers from investing time and effort in attempts to analyse and summarise the amendments. Articles posted on the internet are in the main short and have very little content. No books were found with any discussion that pertains to the amendments. The amendments divide employees involved in atypical employment into two different categories. These categories consist of employees earning above the threshold in terms of section 6(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and those earning below this threshold. All fixed-term employees may rely on the provisions of section 186 of the Labour Relations Act. Employees earning below the threshold are considered to be the most vulnerable and have been afforded additional protections in terms of sections 198(A), (B) and (C).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The onus of proof and presumption of innocence in South African bail jurisprudence
- Authors: Makasana, Velile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Criminal procedure -- South Africa , Bail -- South Africa , Detention of persons -- South Africa , Criminal law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020911
- Description: The South African criminal justice process is such that there is an inevitable lapse of time between the arrest of the offender and his or her subsequent trial. The pre-trial incarceration presents a special problem. Between the arrest of the accused and release, the accused is being deprived of his or her liberty in circumstances where no court of law has pronounced him or her guilty. The right to bail is well entrenched in South African criminal justice system both in the Constitution Act and Criminal Procedure Act. Bail is always in the form of contract between the State and the accused, even though at times it may be opposed by the State. In the past the legal position based on the case law was that the presumption of innocence in bail proceedings operated in favour of the applicant even where it was said that there was a strong prima facie case against him or her. This position has slightly changed in that the courts in bail applications are not concerned with guilt, but that of possible guilt only to the extent that it may bear on where the interests of justice lie in regard to bail. The onus of proof in bail applications, other than Schedule 5 and 6 offences is borne by the State. Where Schedule 5 or 6 is applicable the onus is on the applicant. There are different requirements between schedule 5 and 6 that must be met by the applicant before release on bail is granted. In Schedule 5 offences the bail applicant must satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit his or her release. In determining whether the interests of justice permit the release of a particular applicant on bail, the courts are guided by the provisions of section 60(4) to (9) inclusive of section (11B)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act. In such determination the courts must also take into account of section 60(60)(a) to (g) of the Criminal Procedure Act. In Schedule 6 offences there are two requirements namely: the exceptional circumstances and the interests of justice. The term “exceptional circumstances” does not have a closed definition. Both requirements must be established by means of written or oral evidence to the satisfaction of the court before bail may be granted. As pointed out above, the State may still oppose the release on bail of the applicant. It is now accepted in bail applications that ordinary circumstances may in particular context be blended with exceptional or unusual elements. In such cases the court is expected to apply its independent evaluation of evidence in order to determine whether the exceptional circumstances in the interests of justice permit the release on bail. Similarly to the South African bail jurisprudence the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court recognises a right of the arrested person to apply for the interim release. It also recognises the need to establish exceptional circumstances for such release. The South African bail jurisprudence recognises the right to bail, and places reasonable and procedural limitations founded on the constitutional values and interests of justice. There are still practical challenges that need to be addressed as a results of the stringent requirements in section 60(11)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act that relate to Schedule 5 and 6. It is therefore recommended that there is a need for the following: 1. Legislative intervention that will regulate and limit the time spent on investigations where bail has been refused. 2. Legislative intervention that will provide for an automatic review procedures in Schedule 5 or 6 offences where bail is refused on grounds that the interests of justice do not permit the release of the applicant on bail or for failure to prove exceptional circumstances. It is submitted that this may assist in reducing refusals of bail based on mistaken understanding of the law or facts or irregularities that may be prejudicial to the applicant or the administration of justice; or 3. Legislative intervention that will make it mandatory for a court that refuses to grant bail to reconsider its decision after a certain period in future provided that the trial has not been commenced with, in order to determine whether further incarceration is necessary or proportionate to the offence. It is submitted that this may assist the court to enquire into unreasonable delays on investigations or changed circumstances of the applicant in order to enable the court to reconsider its previous decision if necessary. This may further assist in offences where it is foreseeable that the trial court is likely to pass a partly or wholly suspended sentence in case of conviction. For example some cases fall within the scope of Schedule 5 by virtue of a previous conviction on Schedule 1 or release on bail on a Schedule 1 offence. The above recommendations may directly or indirectly contribute in balancing the scales of justice during the bail proceedings and its aftermath. These may contribute to the reduction of high numbers of the in custody awaiting trial prisoners while not compromising the current bail procedures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Makasana, Velile
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Criminal procedure -- South Africa , Bail -- South Africa , Detention of persons -- South Africa , Criminal law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10186 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020911
- Description: The South African criminal justice process is such that there is an inevitable lapse of time between the arrest of the offender and his or her subsequent trial. The pre-trial incarceration presents a special problem. Between the arrest of the accused and release, the accused is being deprived of his or her liberty in circumstances where no court of law has pronounced him or her guilty. The right to bail is well entrenched in South African criminal justice system both in the Constitution Act and Criminal Procedure Act. Bail is always in the form of contract between the State and the accused, even though at times it may be opposed by the State. In the past the legal position based on the case law was that the presumption of innocence in bail proceedings operated in favour of the applicant even where it was said that there was a strong prima facie case against him or her. This position has slightly changed in that the courts in bail applications are not concerned with guilt, but that of possible guilt only to the extent that it may bear on where the interests of justice lie in regard to bail. The onus of proof in bail applications, other than Schedule 5 and 6 offences is borne by the State. Where Schedule 5 or 6 is applicable the onus is on the applicant. There are different requirements between schedule 5 and 6 that must be met by the applicant before release on bail is granted. In Schedule 5 offences the bail applicant must satisfy the court that the interests of justice permit his or her release. In determining whether the interests of justice permit the release of a particular applicant on bail, the courts are guided by the provisions of section 60(4) to (9) inclusive of section (11B)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act. In such determination the courts must also take into account of section 60(60)(a) to (g) of the Criminal Procedure Act. In Schedule 6 offences there are two requirements namely: the exceptional circumstances and the interests of justice. The term “exceptional circumstances” does not have a closed definition. Both requirements must be established by means of written or oral evidence to the satisfaction of the court before bail may be granted. As pointed out above, the State may still oppose the release on bail of the applicant. It is now accepted in bail applications that ordinary circumstances may in particular context be blended with exceptional or unusual elements. In such cases the court is expected to apply its independent evaluation of evidence in order to determine whether the exceptional circumstances in the interests of justice permit the release on bail. Similarly to the South African bail jurisprudence the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court recognises a right of the arrested person to apply for the interim release. It also recognises the need to establish exceptional circumstances for such release. The South African bail jurisprudence recognises the right to bail, and places reasonable and procedural limitations founded on the constitutional values and interests of justice. There are still practical challenges that need to be addressed as a results of the stringent requirements in section 60(11)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act that relate to Schedule 5 and 6. It is therefore recommended that there is a need for the following: 1. Legislative intervention that will regulate and limit the time spent on investigations where bail has been refused. 2. Legislative intervention that will provide for an automatic review procedures in Schedule 5 or 6 offences where bail is refused on grounds that the interests of justice do not permit the release of the applicant on bail or for failure to prove exceptional circumstances. It is submitted that this may assist in reducing refusals of bail based on mistaken understanding of the law or facts or irregularities that may be prejudicial to the applicant or the administration of justice; or 3. Legislative intervention that will make it mandatory for a court that refuses to grant bail to reconsider its decision after a certain period in future provided that the trial has not been commenced with, in order to determine whether further incarceration is necessary or proportionate to the offence. It is submitted that this may assist the court to enquire into unreasonable delays on investigations or changed circumstances of the applicant in order to enable the court to reconsider its previous decision if necessary. This may further assist in offences where it is foreseeable that the trial court is likely to pass a partly or wholly suspended sentence in case of conviction. For example some cases fall within the scope of Schedule 5 by virtue of a previous conviction on Schedule 1 or release on bail on a Schedule 1 offence. The above recommendations may directly or indirectly contribute in balancing the scales of justice during the bail proceedings and its aftermath. These may contribute to the reduction of high numbers of the in custody awaiting trial prisoners while not compromising the current bail procedures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The Rotterdam Rules : a South African perspective
- Authors: Gordon, Goscelin Lucy
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Rotterdam Rules (2008) , Contracts, Maritime , Maritime law , Maritime law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001865 , Rotterdam Rules (2008) , Contracts, Maritime , Maritime law , Maritime law -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this paper is to investigate the Rotterdam Rules, and to ascertain whether South Africa should accede to or ratify them. In order to accomplish this, South Africa's current maritime transport regime will be examined, and existing "problem areas" will be identified. This will be followed by a comparative analysis between the Rotterdam Rules and the Hague-Visby Rules, which South Africa applies as part of national law to regulate the carriage of goods by sea. As a new maritime Convention, the Rotterdam Rules have attracted widespread criticism and support, and whether such is justified will also be considered. Finally potential considerations South Africa should take into account in electing whether or not to accede or ratify the Rules have been assessed from a political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental standpoint as at 31 December 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gordon, Goscelin Lucy
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Rotterdam Rules (2008) , Contracts, Maritime , Maritime law , Maritime law -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3662 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001865 , Rotterdam Rules (2008) , Contracts, Maritime , Maritime law , Maritime law -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this paper is to investigate the Rotterdam Rules, and to ascertain whether South Africa should accede to or ratify them. In order to accomplish this, South Africa's current maritime transport regime will be examined, and existing "problem areas" will be identified. This will be followed by a comparative analysis between the Rotterdam Rules and the Hague-Visby Rules, which South Africa applies as part of national law to regulate the carriage of goods by sea. As a new maritime Convention, the Rotterdam Rules have attracted widespread criticism and support, and whether such is justified will also be considered. Finally potential considerations South Africa should take into account in electing whether or not to accede or ratify the Rules have been assessed from a political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental standpoint as at 31 December 2011
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The violence of language : contemporary hate speech and the suitability of legal measures regulating hate speech in South Africa
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Leanne
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001866 , Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis unites law and social science so as to give a comprehensive account of the phenomenon of racial hate speech in South Africa as an obstacle to transformation. Hate speech is presented as a form of violent language and an affront to the constitutional rights of freedom of speech, equality and dignity. To establish the nature of hate speech, the fluid quality of language is explored so as to show how language can be manipulated, on the one hand, as a means to harm, and employed, on the other hand, as a tool to heal and reconcile. This double gesture is illustrated through the South African linguistic experience of past hate and segregation and the current transformation agenda. It is through this prism that hate speech regulation is discussed as an uneasy fit in a country where freedom of expression is constitutionally protected and where language plays an important role in bringing about reconciliation, and yet words are still being employed to divide and dehumanise. This reality necessitates a clearly articulated stance on the regulation of language. The thesis accordingly interrogates the current legal standards in relation to hate speech with reference to international law that binds South Africa and the constitutional standard set for the regulation of language and the prohibition of hate speech. Thereafter, the current and proposed legislative prohibitions on hate speech, the residual common law provisions governing expression and the regulation of language in the media are outlined and analysed. These legal frameworks are explored in terms of their content and their application in various fora so as to ascertain what the South African approach to hate speech prohibition is, whether it is consistent and, ultimately if it is indeed suitable to the South African experience and the realities of language. This thesis concludes that contemporary hate speech measures lack a coherent understanding of what hate speech entails and a general inconsistency in approach as well as application is found in the treatment of hate speech complaints in South Africa. This is explained through the fallibility of language as a medium to regulate expression and solutions are offered to not only taper current and proposed hate speech provisions but to also consider alternative forms of resolving hate speech complaints
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Leanne
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3663 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001866 , Hate speech -- South Africa , Hate speech -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Racism in language , Freedom of speech -- South Africa
- Description: This thesis unites law and social science so as to give a comprehensive account of the phenomenon of racial hate speech in South Africa as an obstacle to transformation. Hate speech is presented as a form of violent language and an affront to the constitutional rights of freedom of speech, equality and dignity. To establish the nature of hate speech, the fluid quality of language is explored so as to show how language can be manipulated, on the one hand, as a means to harm, and employed, on the other hand, as a tool to heal and reconcile. This double gesture is illustrated through the South African linguistic experience of past hate and segregation and the current transformation agenda. It is through this prism that hate speech regulation is discussed as an uneasy fit in a country where freedom of expression is constitutionally protected and where language plays an important role in bringing about reconciliation, and yet words are still being employed to divide and dehumanise. This reality necessitates a clearly articulated stance on the regulation of language. The thesis accordingly interrogates the current legal standards in relation to hate speech with reference to international law that binds South Africa and the constitutional standard set for the regulation of language and the prohibition of hate speech. Thereafter, the current and proposed legislative prohibitions on hate speech, the residual common law provisions governing expression and the regulation of language in the media are outlined and analysed. These legal frameworks are explored in terms of their content and their application in various fora so as to ascertain what the South African approach to hate speech prohibition is, whether it is consistent and, ultimately if it is indeed suitable to the South African experience and the realities of language. This thesis concludes that contemporary hate speech measures lack a coherent understanding of what hate speech entails and a general inconsistency in approach as well as application is found in the treatment of hate speech complaints in South Africa. This is explained through the fallibility of language as a medium to regulate expression and solutions are offered to not only taper current and proposed hate speech provisions but to also consider alternative forms of resolving hate speech complaints
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A comparison between the approaches to unfair discrimination in employment in South Africa and Nigeria
- Authors: Odeyemi, Hannah Olubunmi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- Nigeria , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012054 , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- Nigeria , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- Nigeria
- Description: Issues concerning employment are some of the most serious issues of our time. But it is in the last two decades or so that these started receiving consideration. For instance, South Africa has experienced changes in the landscape of employment relations in organisations in the last decades. And no area of South Africa law is more critical than the prohibition of unfair discrimination, especially in the workpalce. The enactment of the Constitution brought about the need to eradicate unfair discrimination in the workpalce. Section 9 of the Constitution states that no person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone and that national legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. To enforce this, certain legislations like the Labour Law Act, Employment Act, Promotion of Equality and Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act), were enacted to give effect to the equality provision of the Constitution. In a similar vein, in Nigeria, workplace discrimination which is at the top of human rights violation perpetrated by employers of labour is of paramount concern to legislators and the government. Sex , age, ethinicty, religion, trade union membership and political opinion are some of the grounds upon which workers may not be discriminated against in Nigeria. Section 17 of the Constitution states that the State social order is founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. It goes on to provide that every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law. More specifically, the section stipilates that the State shall ensure that all citizens, without discrimination of any group whatsoever, have the opportunity of livehood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment and that there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, or any ground. Hence, there are The Nigerian Labour Act, the Federal Character Commission, etc that are saddled with the responsibility of addressing unfair discrimination and giving force to the provision of the Constitution. Despite the anti-discrimination laws and provisions made available in both countries, it is still alarming to see that unfair discrimination in the workplace is still on the increase. This, as will be discussed later, is probably due to factors such as lack of communication, long-stading patterns of educational inequalities that have resulted in inequalities in manpower, differences in drive, motivation, cultural disposition and geographical opportunities, racial difference and ethnicity, domination of one group by the other, etc. This research will briefly focus on the comparison between the approaches to unfair discrimination in employment between South Africa and Nigeria. It will discuss the development of unfair discrimination, grounds on which it is perpetrated, defences relating to unfair discrimination, and anti-discrimination laws put in place by the two jurisdictions to curb discrimination, as well as suggest on how to forestall unfair discrimination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Odeyemi, Hannah Olubunmi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- Nigeria , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10270 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012054 , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Discrimination in employment -- Law and legislation -- Nigeria , Unfair labor practices -- South Africa , Unfair labor practices -- Nigeria
- Description: Issues concerning employment are some of the most serious issues of our time. But it is in the last two decades or so that these started receiving consideration. For instance, South Africa has experienced changes in the landscape of employment relations in organisations in the last decades. And no area of South Africa law is more critical than the prohibition of unfair discrimination, especially in the workpalce. The enactment of the Constitution brought about the need to eradicate unfair discrimination in the workpalce. Section 9 of the Constitution states that no person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone and that national legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. To enforce this, certain legislations like the Labour Law Act, Employment Act, Promotion of Equality and Prohibition of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act), were enacted to give effect to the equality provision of the Constitution. In a similar vein, in Nigeria, workplace discrimination which is at the top of human rights violation perpetrated by employers of labour is of paramount concern to legislators and the government. Sex , age, ethinicty, religion, trade union membership and political opinion are some of the grounds upon which workers may not be discriminated against in Nigeria. Section 17 of the Constitution states that the State social order is founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. It goes on to provide that every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law. More specifically, the section stipilates that the State shall ensure that all citizens, without discrimination of any group whatsoever, have the opportunity of livehood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment and that there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, or any ground. Hence, there are The Nigerian Labour Act, the Federal Character Commission, etc that are saddled with the responsibility of addressing unfair discrimination and giving force to the provision of the Constitution. Despite the anti-discrimination laws and provisions made available in both countries, it is still alarming to see that unfair discrimination in the workplace is still on the increase. This, as will be discussed later, is probably due to factors such as lack of communication, long-stading patterns of educational inequalities that have resulted in inequalities in manpower, differences in drive, motivation, cultural disposition and geographical opportunities, racial difference and ethnicity, domination of one group by the other, etc. This research will briefly focus on the comparison between the approaches to unfair discrimination in employment between South Africa and Nigeria. It will discuss the development of unfair discrimination, grounds on which it is perpetrated, defences relating to unfair discrimination, and anti-discrimination laws put in place by the two jurisdictions to curb discrimination, as well as suggest on how to forestall unfair discrimination.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
An analysis of the judicial approach to the interpretation of tax avoidance legislation in South Africa
- Authors: Ogula, Diana Khabale
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tax planning -- South Africa , Income tax --Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012093 , Tax planning -- South Africa , Income tax --Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: Tax evasion and avoidance costs South Africa billions of rand each year. This treatise examines the judiciary’s view and/or attitude to the dividing line between legitimate and illegitimate tax avoidance. It seeks to find out how South African courts have ultimately dealt with the old GAAR section 103(1). The treatise seeks to establish the role that the judiciary plays in tax avoidance and whether it has been pro-fiscus or pro-taxpayer in its deliberations of tax avoidance cases. The treatise focuses specifically on the judicial responses to the General Anti-avoidance Rule Section 103 of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962. In order to show the judicial approaches and/or responses to tax avoidance in South Africa, a selection of income tax cases have been used to illustrate how the judges have interpreted the GAAR and whether they have been sympathetic to the tax payer or to the fiscus. The cases used in this study stem from the old GAAR section 103. There have not been important cases dealing with the new GAAR section 80A to 80L of the Income Tax Act. In the final analysis of this research it would seem that the effectiveness and scope of the GAAR depends ultimately on its interpretation by the courts. Many of the cases that have been decided under section 103 (1) have provided disappointing outcomes for SARS. However it is noteworthy that the courts which were previously taking a restrictive approach and were pro-taxpayer in their deliberations are beginning to take a different approach and are gallant in their interpretation of the GAAR. Judges are slowly abandoning the long standing judicial approach which was that taxpayers are entitled to arrange their affairs in any legal way in order to minimize their tax and are going further and examining the real substance and purpose of the transactions entered into by taxpayers as opposed to the form of the transactions. The Supreme Court of Appeal has now set a precedent which goes deeper and examines the true intention of parties in entering into transactions and does not tie itself to labels that parties have attached to their transactions. This recent judicial attitude and zeal exhibited by the courts will without a doubt hinder tax avoidance activity and strengthen the effectiveness and scope of the new GAAR sections 80A to 80L.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ogula, Diana Khabale
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Tax planning -- South Africa , Income tax --Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10284 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012093 , Tax planning -- South Africa , Income tax --Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Description: Tax evasion and avoidance costs South Africa billions of rand each year. This treatise examines the judiciary’s view and/or attitude to the dividing line between legitimate and illegitimate tax avoidance. It seeks to find out how South African courts have ultimately dealt with the old GAAR section 103(1). The treatise seeks to establish the role that the judiciary plays in tax avoidance and whether it has been pro-fiscus or pro-taxpayer in its deliberations of tax avoidance cases. The treatise focuses specifically on the judicial responses to the General Anti-avoidance Rule Section 103 of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962. In order to show the judicial approaches and/or responses to tax avoidance in South Africa, a selection of income tax cases have been used to illustrate how the judges have interpreted the GAAR and whether they have been sympathetic to the tax payer or to the fiscus. The cases used in this study stem from the old GAAR section 103. There have not been important cases dealing with the new GAAR section 80A to 80L of the Income Tax Act. In the final analysis of this research it would seem that the effectiveness and scope of the GAAR depends ultimately on its interpretation by the courts. Many of the cases that have been decided under section 103 (1) have provided disappointing outcomes for SARS. However it is noteworthy that the courts which were previously taking a restrictive approach and were pro-taxpayer in their deliberations are beginning to take a different approach and are gallant in their interpretation of the GAAR. Judges are slowly abandoning the long standing judicial approach which was that taxpayers are entitled to arrange their affairs in any legal way in order to minimize their tax and are going further and examining the real substance and purpose of the transactions entered into by taxpayers as opposed to the form of the transactions. The Supreme Court of Appeal has now set a precedent which goes deeper and examines the true intention of parties in entering into transactions and does not tie itself to labels that parties have attached to their transactions. This recent judicial attitude and zeal exhibited by the courts will without a doubt hinder tax avoidance activity and strengthen the effectiveness and scope of the new GAAR sections 80A to 80L.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Carriage of goods by sea - from Hague to Rotterdam: safer waters
- Authors: Metuge, Denning N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International trade , Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011561 , International trade , Transportation
- Description: The back bone of international trade has always been international transport. Without good transport networks, the movement of goods and services from one frontier to another would be an uphill task, and would greatly hinder development in international trade. The impact of such poor transport networks would reflect negatively on economies that rely on international trade for the growth of their nations. Nevertheless, perfect transport networks would be useless if the performance of the business of carriage was not regulated by a law developed to meet the standards established by time, and that would regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage, mainly the carrier, consignor and consignee, so as to ensure certainty and equality in the allocation of risks between the parties thereunder. This research focuses on the carriage of goods by sea. Like most other modes of transport, one of the major issues that arises in the business of carriage of goods by sea is the conflict between the carrier, consignor and consignee, with regards to the allocation of risk in the carriage. Over the years, early rules that were developed to regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage of goods by sea placed the carrier in a dominant position over the consignor. The carrier issued a standard bill of lading which exempted him from almost all liability for damage or loss of the goods in his care. The consignors and bona fide third parties, not satisfied with the terms of carriage contracts brought a lot of pressure to bear on their governments to enact legislation protecting their interests in the transaction. The United States of America were the first to pass such national law revising the position of the parties under contracts of carriage. In 1893 the United States of America passed the Harter Act. This Act aimed at imposing limits of liability on the carrier to which no derogation could be brought. However, this was a dangerous precedence which was going to hinder international trade rather than improve on it, as different nations developing local legislation on carriage meant conflict of laws. In order to avoid the extensive nationalisation of carriage laws, the international maritime community set to develop rules that would regulate carriage by sea. Over the years convention has succeeded convention such that today four international regimes (The Hague Rules, Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules and Rotterdam Rules), exist regulating carriage of goods by sea. This research takes an in-depth look at these regimes that were developed to regulate carriage by sea, and the author aims to identify a particular regime that meets the standards of modern day practice of carriage of goods, and advocate for the ratification of this regime, to the exclusion of all others so as to foster uniformity, certainty and equality in the business of carriage of goods by sea.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Metuge, Denning N
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: International trade , Transportation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10235 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011561 , International trade , Transportation
- Description: The back bone of international trade has always been international transport. Without good transport networks, the movement of goods and services from one frontier to another would be an uphill task, and would greatly hinder development in international trade. The impact of such poor transport networks would reflect negatively on economies that rely on international trade for the growth of their nations. Nevertheless, perfect transport networks would be useless if the performance of the business of carriage was not regulated by a law developed to meet the standards established by time, and that would regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage, mainly the carrier, consignor and consignee, so as to ensure certainty and equality in the allocation of risks between the parties thereunder. This research focuses on the carriage of goods by sea. Like most other modes of transport, one of the major issues that arises in the business of carriage of goods by sea is the conflict between the carrier, consignor and consignee, with regards to the allocation of risk in the carriage. Over the years, early rules that were developed to regulate the relationship of the parties under contracts of carriage of goods by sea placed the carrier in a dominant position over the consignor. The carrier issued a standard bill of lading which exempted him from almost all liability for damage or loss of the goods in his care. The consignors and bona fide third parties, not satisfied with the terms of carriage contracts brought a lot of pressure to bear on their governments to enact legislation protecting their interests in the transaction. The United States of America were the first to pass such national law revising the position of the parties under contracts of carriage. In 1893 the United States of America passed the Harter Act. This Act aimed at imposing limits of liability on the carrier to which no derogation could be brought. However, this was a dangerous precedence which was going to hinder international trade rather than improve on it, as different nations developing local legislation on carriage meant conflict of laws. In order to avoid the extensive nationalisation of carriage laws, the international maritime community set to develop rules that would regulate carriage by sea. Over the years convention has succeeded convention such that today four international regimes (The Hague Rules, Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules and Rotterdam Rules), exist regulating carriage of goods by sea. This research takes an in-depth look at these regimes that were developed to regulate carriage by sea, and the author aims to identify a particular regime that meets the standards of modern day practice of carriage of goods, and advocate for the ratification of this regime, to the exclusion of all others so as to foster uniformity, certainty and equality in the business of carriage of goods by sea.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Comparing child justice legislation in South Africa and South Sudan
- Authors: Teny, Jamual Peter Malual
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc , Criminal law -- South Africa , Criminal law -- Sudan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020941
- Description: The legal framework and legislation governing the rights of the children have become of great concern in modern societies, particularly, in the area of criminal justice and human rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are basic international and regional conventions regulating the rights of the children and include how to deal with children in conflict with the law. States parties to these conventions are required to take appropriate measures, which includes enactment of legislation to give effect to these rights. Legislative instruments must address the following issues: The principle of the best interest of the child; the age of criminal responsibility; restorative justice; diversion; and the trials of children in conflict with the law. The above-mentioned instrument require and emphasise the use of an alternative approach in respect of the children who are in conflict with law. In this research a comparative approach is used to compare the South African and South Sudanese child justice legislative instruments. The legislative instruments pertaining to child justice in both countries are set out and compared. It is concluded that the South African legislative instruments are more aligned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Recommendations and proposals are made to enact to adopt in South Sudan new legislative measures and provisions aim to afford more protection to children in conflict with the law and to strike a better balance between rights of a child and victim of crimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Teny, Jamual Peter Malual
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Children -- Legal status, laws, etc , Criminal law -- South Africa , Criminal law -- Sudan
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10187 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020941
- Description: The legal framework and legislation governing the rights of the children have become of great concern in modern societies, particularly, in the area of criminal justice and human rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child are basic international and regional conventions regulating the rights of the children and include how to deal with children in conflict with the law. States parties to these conventions are required to take appropriate measures, which includes enactment of legislation to give effect to these rights. Legislative instruments must address the following issues: The principle of the best interest of the child; the age of criminal responsibility; restorative justice; diversion; and the trials of children in conflict with the law. The above-mentioned instrument require and emphasise the use of an alternative approach in respect of the children who are in conflict with law. In this research a comparative approach is used to compare the South African and South Sudanese child justice legislative instruments. The legislative instruments pertaining to child justice in both countries are set out and compared. It is concluded that the South African legislative instruments are more aligned to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Recommendations and proposals are made to enact to adopt in South Sudan new legislative measures and provisions aim to afford more protection to children in conflict with the law and to strike a better balance between rights of a child and victim of crimes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Copyright law in the digital environment: DRM systems, anti-circumvention, legislation and user rights
- Authors: Latter, Gareth Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003196 , Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Description: This thesis deals with the way in which copyright law is changing in the digital environment and the mechanisms which are facilitating this change. It deals with these issues by analysing the mechanisms of this change, specifically Digital Rights Management (DRM)Systems and anti-circumvention legislation, and the impact which this change is having on the rights of copyright users. The purpose of copyright is to provide an incentive to authors to continue creating while simultaneously providing a public good in allowing the public to use those creations in certain ways. Copyright achieves this purpose by granting both the author and user certain rights. The author is given a limited monopoly over their work in exchange for allowing this work to enter the public sphere and ensuring that users of that work can utilise that work in certain limited ways. The success of copyright thus rests on maintaining the balance between the rights of these parties. The rise of digital technology has created a situation in which copyright content can be easily copied by any party with a Personal Computer and disseminated around the globe instantly via the Internet. In response to these dangers, copyright owners are making use of DRM systems to protect content. DRM systems include various measures of control within its scope. Theses systems allow for copyright owners to control both access and use of content by copyright users. DRM Systems are not foolproof measures of protection however. Technologically sophisticated users are able to circumvent these protection measures. Thus, in order to protect DRM Systems from circumvention, anti-circumvention legislation has been proposed through international treaties and adopted in many countries. The combined effect of these protection measures are open to abuse by copyright owners and serve to curtail the limited rights of copyright users. The end result of this is that the balance which copyright law was created to maintain is disrupted and copyright law no longer fulfils its purpose. This thesis undertakes an analysis of these issues with reference to how these issues affect copyright users in developing countries. This is done with particular reference to possible approaches to this issue in South Africa as South Africa is a signatory to these anti-circumvention treaties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Latter, Gareth Paul
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:3681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003196 , Digital rights management , Copyright and electronic data processing , Internet -- Law and legislation , Public domain (Copyright law) , Fair use (Copyright) , Intellectual property , Copyright
- Description: This thesis deals with the way in which copyright law is changing in the digital environment and the mechanisms which are facilitating this change. It deals with these issues by analysing the mechanisms of this change, specifically Digital Rights Management (DRM)Systems and anti-circumvention legislation, and the impact which this change is having on the rights of copyright users. The purpose of copyright is to provide an incentive to authors to continue creating while simultaneously providing a public good in allowing the public to use those creations in certain ways. Copyright achieves this purpose by granting both the author and user certain rights. The author is given a limited monopoly over their work in exchange for allowing this work to enter the public sphere and ensuring that users of that work can utilise that work in certain limited ways. The success of copyright thus rests on maintaining the balance between the rights of these parties. The rise of digital technology has created a situation in which copyright content can be easily copied by any party with a Personal Computer and disseminated around the globe instantly via the Internet. In response to these dangers, copyright owners are making use of DRM systems to protect content. DRM systems include various measures of control within its scope. Theses systems allow for copyright owners to control both access and use of content by copyright users. DRM Systems are not foolproof measures of protection however. Technologically sophisticated users are able to circumvent these protection measures. Thus, in order to protect DRM Systems from circumvention, anti-circumvention legislation has been proposed through international treaties and adopted in many countries. The combined effect of these protection measures are open to abuse by copyright owners and serve to curtail the limited rights of copyright users. The end result of this is that the balance which copyright law was created to maintain is disrupted and copyright law no longer fulfils its purpose. This thesis undertakes an analysis of these issues with reference to how these issues affect copyright users in developing countries. This is done with particular reference to possible approaches to this issue in South Africa as South Africa is a signatory to these anti-circumvention treaties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Criminal liability for wilful HIV/AIDS infection: a comparative study
- Authors: Singh, Rajeshree
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Transmission -- Law and legislation , Crimes against humanity -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Prevention Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation , Exposure (Criminal law) -- Virus diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012686 , HIV infections -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Transmission -- Law and legislation , Crimes against humanity -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Prevention Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation , Exposure (Criminal law) -- Virus diseases
- Description: South Africa‘s high prevalence of HIV/AIDS coupled with a high crime rate and incidence of sexual violence necessitated the enquiry and study into the role of criminal law to address the wilful transmission of HIV.1 This study shows that criminal law can be used to punish offenders for wrongdoing and therefore finds application in the wilful transmission of HIV.2 The study distinguishes the dividing line between the justifiable use of criminal law and where use of the criminal law becomes discriminatory in nature and counterproductive to public health measures. The United Nations (hereinafter referred to as the UN) laid down guiding principles for countries to adopt when using the criminal law and stated that countries should use existing criminal law offences to prosecute intentional HIV infections.3 The South African Law Commission (hereinafter referred to as the SALC) endorses this approach. South Africa‘s use of the criminal law, in response to harmful HIV behaviour is in line with the UN recommendations as it uses the existing common law offences to prosecute the wilful transmission of HIV, namely murder, attempted murder and assault. Drawing from the writer‘s comparative study in Chapter Six below, South Africa, members of the Zimbabwean parliament, Canada, as well as the American Bar Association have all concluded that the use of specific HIV-related legislation creates some a form of stigmatization towards people living with HIV and is therefore not warranted. This study shows that criminal law has a role to play in the wilful transmission of HIV; however the creation of HIV specific legislation is not recommended and existing criminal law offences should be used to address harmful HIV related behaviour. Such an approach is in line with the guiding principles laid down by the UN and SALC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Singh, Rajeshree
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV infections -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Transmission -- Law and legislation , Crimes against humanity -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Prevention Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation , Exposure (Criminal law) -- Virus diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012686 , HIV infections -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Transmission -- Law and legislation , Crimes against humanity -- Law and legislation , Communicable diseases -- Prevention Sexually transmitted diseases -- Law and legislation , Exposure (Criminal law) -- Virus diseases
- Description: South Africa‘s high prevalence of HIV/AIDS coupled with a high crime rate and incidence of sexual violence necessitated the enquiry and study into the role of criminal law to address the wilful transmission of HIV.1 This study shows that criminal law can be used to punish offenders for wrongdoing and therefore finds application in the wilful transmission of HIV.2 The study distinguishes the dividing line between the justifiable use of criminal law and where use of the criminal law becomes discriminatory in nature and counterproductive to public health measures. The United Nations (hereinafter referred to as the UN) laid down guiding principles for countries to adopt when using the criminal law and stated that countries should use existing criminal law offences to prosecute intentional HIV infections.3 The South African Law Commission (hereinafter referred to as the SALC) endorses this approach. South Africa‘s use of the criminal law, in response to harmful HIV behaviour is in line with the UN recommendations as it uses the existing common law offences to prosecute the wilful transmission of HIV, namely murder, attempted murder and assault. Drawing from the writer‘s comparative study in Chapter Six below, South Africa, members of the Zimbabwean parliament, Canada, as well as the American Bar Association have all concluded that the use of specific HIV-related legislation creates some a form of stigmatization towards people living with HIV and is therefore not warranted. This study shows that criminal law has a role to play in the wilful transmission of HIV; however the creation of HIV specific legislation is not recommended and existing criminal law offences should be used to address harmful HIV related behaviour. Such an approach is in line with the guiding principles laid down by the UN and SALC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Large scale retrenchments: an overview of Section 189 A
- Authors: Ah Shene, Lee-Anne Dorothy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Retrenchments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10237 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012042 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Retrenchments
- Description: This treatise sets out and evaluates recent developments in the area of large-scale retrenchments in South Africa. Dismissals are considered to be a source of great controversy, but more so large scale retrenchments. It was with this in mind that the various role players sought an amendment in 2002 so as to address the concerns by both employers and employees. The applicable legislation, namely section 189A of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, was enacted to ensure the smooth operation of this genre of retrenchments. In this treatise, section 189A will be evaluated. Section 189A stipulates what procedure should be utilized, for dismissals necessitated by operational requirements. The inclusion of this provision was an attempt to address the concerns of both employers and employees. Chapter 1 provides us with an overview with regard to why change with regard to retrenchment legislation was necessary. In Chapter 2 the definition of operational requirements will be unpacked as well as what definition the courts have attached to the term "operational requirements‟, and more importantly the issue relating to substantive fairness. Chapter 3 examines when the applicable provision is triggered, whether or not an employer can stagger retrenchments, the facilitation process, and the regulations pertaining to facilitations. The facilitation process itself and the consultation aspect of the facilitation process are recounted. The meaning of „consultation‟ is evaluated, and it should be noted that section 189 and section 189A are interrelated when topics of consultation are considered. Chapter 4 addresses the instance when no facilitator is appointed and the mechanisms of section 189A(7) and (8); further discussions relating to subsection 13, and 19 will furthermore be evaluated with reference to case law. Chapter 5 sets out the various viewpoints on whether or not section 189A has been successful, and the chapter questions the effectiveness of the provision to provide a realistic view of large-scale retrenchments and whether the enactment thereof was an effective mechanism protecting the rights of employees faced with possible unemployment. The implementation of the training lay off system will be looked at and the statistics of the CCMA will be used as a measure to determine the effectiveness of section 189A. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis, by highlighting lessons learnt from case law for both employees and employers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ah Shene, Lee-Anne Dorothy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Retrenchments
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10237 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012042 , Employees -- Dismissal of -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Labor laws and legislation -- South Africa , Retrenchments
- Description: This treatise sets out and evaluates recent developments in the area of large-scale retrenchments in South Africa. Dismissals are considered to be a source of great controversy, but more so large scale retrenchments. It was with this in mind that the various role players sought an amendment in 2002 so as to address the concerns by both employers and employees. The applicable legislation, namely section 189A of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, was enacted to ensure the smooth operation of this genre of retrenchments. In this treatise, section 189A will be evaluated. Section 189A stipulates what procedure should be utilized, for dismissals necessitated by operational requirements. The inclusion of this provision was an attempt to address the concerns of both employers and employees. Chapter 1 provides us with an overview with regard to why change with regard to retrenchment legislation was necessary. In Chapter 2 the definition of operational requirements will be unpacked as well as what definition the courts have attached to the term "operational requirements‟, and more importantly the issue relating to substantive fairness. Chapter 3 examines when the applicable provision is triggered, whether or not an employer can stagger retrenchments, the facilitation process, and the regulations pertaining to facilitations. The facilitation process itself and the consultation aspect of the facilitation process are recounted. The meaning of „consultation‟ is evaluated, and it should be noted that section 189 and section 189A are interrelated when topics of consultation are considered. Chapter 4 addresses the instance when no facilitator is appointed and the mechanisms of section 189A(7) and (8); further discussions relating to subsection 13, and 19 will furthermore be evaluated with reference to case law. Chapter 5 sets out the various viewpoints on whether or not section 189A has been successful, and the chapter questions the effectiveness of the provision to provide a realistic view of large-scale retrenchments and whether the enactment thereof was an effective mechanism protecting the rights of employees faced with possible unemployment. The implementation of the training lay off system will be looked at and the statistics of the CCMA will be used as a measure to determine the effectiveness of section 189A. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis, by highlighting lessons learnt from case law for both employees and employers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Legal status and protection of animals in South Africa
- Authors: Hartwig, Wendy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Human-animal relationships -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Animals -- Welfare -- Laws -- Humans -- Relationships - -South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/515 , Human-animal relationships -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Animals -- Welfare -- Laws -- Humans -- Relationships - -South Africa
- Description: The animal welfare legislation that is discussed in this Dissertation is just a sample of the available legislation from the chosen foreign jurisdictions and South Africa. The chosen foreign jurisdictions were chosen as a lens to gain a needed perspective on South African animal welfare legislation. The legislation chosen for discussion falls within particular categories that are discussed fully in the later chapters.i Despite the fact that the animal rights and animal welfare movements are recorded to date back as far as 500B.C, the majority of jurisdictions throughout the world still consider animals to be property that can be bought, traded, hunted and after they are killed, their remains kept as trophies or souvenirs. Within these jurisdictions (which includes South Africa and the other four chosen foreign jurisdictions – Kenya, India, Switzerland and the United States of America) there is a demonstrated lack of proper enforcement of the animal welfare/animal anti-cruelty legislation, regulations and industry rules, which is made worse by the actions of uncaring, abusive and/or ignorant people. South Africa is no better or worse to the four chosen jurisdictions in that it has similar anti-cruelty/animal welfare legislation. The lack of proper enforcement of this animal welfare legislation in South Africa should be of great concern as many studies have indicated that there is a link between animal abuse/cruelty and ‘human’ abuse. The same studies also indicate that animal abusers are at a greater risk of becoming violent criminals or of committing a violent crime. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has noted that most serial killers in the USA had a history of torturing, abusing and killing animals before they moved on to torturing, abusing and/or killing humans in their adult life. Needed changes to the animal welfare legislation and how people view animals should be made in South Africa to ensure that welfare of animals is protected. For example, the Government could educate people about animal welfare in order to overcome any ignorance that may be the cause of animal pain and abuse, as well as strengthening existing animal welfare legislation. The eradication of ignorance, as well as a necessary change in the current animal welfare legislation, will help to create a real change in how people view and treat i Chapter 5 and 6. [iii] animals. People will come to realise that animals exist in their own right and that they were not created to serve or to be exploited by man.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Hartwig, Wendy
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Human-animal relationships -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Animals -- Welfare -- Laws -- Humans -- Relationships - -South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:11118 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/515 , Human-animal relationships -- Law and legislation -- South Africa , Animals -- Welfare -- Laws -- Humans -- Relationships - -South Africa
- Description: The animal welfare legislation that is discussed in this Dissertation is just a sample of the available legislation from the chosen foreign jurisdictions and South Africa. The chosen foreign jurisdictions were chosen as a lens to gain a needed perspective on South African animal welfare legislation. The legislation chosen for discussion falls within particular categories that are discussed fully in the later chapters.i Despite the fact that the animal rights and animal welfare movements are recorded to date back as far as 500B.C, the majority of jurisdictions throughout the world still consider animals to be property that can be bought, traded, hunted and after they are killed, their remains kept as trophies or souvenirs. Within these jurisdictions (which includes South Africa and the other four chosen foreign jurisdictions – Kenya, India, Switzerland and the United States of America) there is a demonstrated lack of proper enforcement of the animal welfare/animal anti-cruelty legislation, regulations and industry rules, which is made worse by the actions of uncaring, abusive and/or ignorant people. South Africa is no better or worse to the four chosen jurisdictions in that it has similar anti-cruelty/animal welfare legislation. The lack of proper enforcement of this animal welfare legislation in South Africa should be of great concern as many studies have indicated that there is a link between animal abuse/cruelty and ‘human’ abuse. The same studies also indicate that animal abusers are at a greater risk of becoming violent criminals or of committing a violent crime. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has noted that most serial killers in the USA had a history of torturing, abusing and killing animals before they moved on to torturing, abusing and/or killing humans in their adult life. Needed changes to the animal welfare legislation and how people view animals should be made in South Africa to ensure that welfare of animals is protected. For example, the Government could educate people about animal welfare in order to overcome any ignorance that may be the cause of animal pain and abuse, as well as strengthening existing animal welfare legislation. The eradication of ignorance, as well as a necessary change in the current animal welfare legislation, will help to create a real change in how people view and treat i Chapter 5 and 6. [iii] animals. People will come to realise that animals exist in their own right and that they were not created to serve or to be exploited by man.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Minimum sentence legislation in South Africa
- Authors: Nzimande, Eric Sibusiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012041 , South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Description: Legislation regulating minimum sentences in South Africa was re-introduced by sections 51 to 53 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 which came into operation on 1 May 1998. These provisions were regarded as a temporary measure to be effective for two years, where after they were extended from time to time. After they had been extended for several times, section 51 was rendered permanent on 31 December 2007 by the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Amendment Act 38 of 2007. At the same time sections 52 and 53 were repealed by the same Act. Minimum sentence legislation was the result of a call by the community for heavier penalties and for the offenders to serve more realistic terms of imprisonment. There was also a general dissatisfaction about the perceived leniency of sentences imposed by the courts for serious crimes. During 1996 and in the wake of these concerns the Minister of Justice requested the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate all aspects of sentencing in South Africa. A Project Committee chaired by a judge of the High Court was appointed and it operated from the late 1996 to March 1998. Minimum sentences for certain serious crimes were one of the options to be investigated by the Project Committee. Consequent to this the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 was promulgated with effect from 1 May 1998. The legislature intended this Act to defer criminal activity, to avoid disparities in sentencing and to deal harshly with perpetrators of serious offences. The subsequent amendments to the Act included the granting of jurisdiction to the Regional court to pass life imprisonment, an automatic right of appeal against life imprisonment in respect of a juvenile accused and identification of circumstances that do not constitute substantial and compelling circumstances. Judicial discretion and departure from prescribed minimum sentences had initially presented a problem regarding its interpretation in a variety of cases in our courts. Eventually our courts came up with a clear interpretation of the meaning of the phrase substantial and compelling circumstances. This research project will analyze the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 with regard to minimum sentences for certain serious offences. In the process case law and other literature will be discussed regarding the interpretation of minimum sentence provisions in the Act. Recommendations for legislation which will cover the aspect of sentencing on a wider scale are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Nzimande, Eric Sibusiso
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: vital:10179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012041 , South Africa -- Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1997 , Sentences (Criminal procedure) -- South Africa
- Description: Legislation regulating minimum sentences in South Africa was re-introduced by sections 51 to 53 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 which came into operation on 1 May 1998. These provisions were regarded as a temporary measure to be effective for two years, where after they were extended from time to time. After they had been extended for several times, section 51 was rendered permanent on 31 December 2007 by the Criminal Law (Sentencing) Amendment Act 38 of 2007. At the same time sections 52 and 53 were repealed by the same Act. Minimum sentence legislation was the result of a call by the community for heavier penalties and for the offenders to serve more realistic terms of imprisonment. There was also a general dissatisfaction about the perceived leniency of sentences imposed by the courts for serious crimes. During 1996 and in the wake of these concerns the Minister of Justice requested the South African Law Reform Commission to investigate all aspects of sentencing in South Africa. A Project Committee chaired by a judge of the High Court was appointed and it operated from the late 1996 to March 1998. Minimum sentences for certain serious crimes were one of the options to be investigated by the Project Committee. Consequent to this the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 was promulgated with effect from 1 May 1998. The legislature intended this Act to defer criminal activity, to avoid disparities in sentencing and to deal harshly with perpetrators of serious offences. The subsequent amendments to the Act included the granting of jurisdiction to the Regional court to pass life imprisonment, an automatic right of appeal against life imprisonment in respect of a juvenile accused and identification of circumstances that do not constitute substantial and compelling circumstances. Judicial discretion and departure from prescribed minimum sentences had initially presented a problem regarding its interpretation in a variety of cases in our courts. Eventually our courts came up with a clear interpretation of the meaning of the phrase substantial and compelling circumstances. This research project will analyze the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 with regard to minimum sentences for certain serious offences. In the process case law and other literature will be discussed regarding the interpretation of minimum sentence provisions in the Act. Recommendations for legislation which will cover the aspect of sentencing on a wider scale are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012