20 November 1997
NEW LAWS STRENGTHEN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME
While the growth in crime in the past few years cannot be denied,
the increase is often more apparent than real, as crime has moved out of
the townships into middle-class and privileged parts of our cities. Opposition
parties have made political capital out of the crime situation, while failing
to recognise the historic factors that contribute to unlawful activities,
and ignoring the real progress we are making through the National Crime
Prevention Strategy.
The situation has been made worse by the failure of our judicial system
and police services to balance the protection offered by the Constitution
to individuals, with the goals of crime prevention.
In order to strengthen the National Crime Prevention Strategy, and consolidate
the recent gains we have made in reducing crime, Parliament has recently
passed a number of Bills which will enable our justice and crime-management
system to tackle the problem more effectively.
The Criminal Procedure Second Amendment Bill
This Bill, also known as the new `Bail Bill`, proposes a number of strict
measures to aid the justice system in the fight against crime.
Stricter bail
The Bill lists very serious offences (schedule 6 offences), which include
murder, rape, armed robbery and vehicle hijacking. The Bill makes it almost
impossible for people who are accused of these offences to get bail. The
accused will have to prove that exceptional circumstances exist before
bail is granted.
For Schedule 5 cases, like robbery with aggravating circumstances, drug-dealing,
arms dealing, exchange control, corruption, fraud theft or forgery of large
amounts of money, the onus will now be on the accused to prove that they
should get bail.
Where an accused is charged with a schedule 5 offence, and has been
previously convicted of a schedule 5 or 6 offence, bail will also not normally
be granted.
Higher Courts
Bail applications for Schedule 5 or 6 crimes will now only be heard
in regional courts. This is to ensure that bail applications are not dealt
with by the least experienced, and busiest, magistrates and prosecutors.
The Bill also requires that prosecutors and magistrates closely examine
bail applications. If a prosecutor does not oppose bail, the reasons will
have to be placed on record so that magistrates can make an informed decision.
Night courts
The Bill abolishes the right of accused persons to have bail applications
heard outside court hours. While this does not mean that night courts cannot
be held, the accused will not have the right to insist on immediate bail
hearings.
In the past, when bail hearings were held in the middle of the night,
police and prosecutors did not have sufficient time to prepare properly
and verify information. Night courts are not proper open courts, victims
can often not attend and have often not been informed about the hearings.
Victims and the community are deprived of their right to state their views.
Community views
Bail can now be refused when an offence has caused community outrage.
The Bill makes this clear that this will only be in exceptional circumstances.
The European Court of Human Rights has upheld a similar provision in France.
Previous convictions
Under this Bill the accused will have to disclose all previous convictions
and outstanding charges at the bail application. Previously it took prosecutors
a month to obtain the criminal record.
No access to police docket
The accused will not have the right to access the police docket during
the bail hearing. This will help to eliminate the intimidation and
victimisation of witnesses in court cases.
- This legislation will ensure that strict measures will be implemented
so that people accused of serious crimes are not released onto the streets
while awaiting trial.
Other Laws to Strengthen the Fight Against Crime
The Criminal Law Amendment Bill (B46 - 97) will ensure that appropriately
severe sentences will be passed on people who in the past would have received
the death penalty.
The Parole and Correctional Supervision Amendment Bill (B57 -
97) extends the power of the courts to ensure that a compulsory period
of a sentence is served before a prisoner can be considered for parole.
It provides for the establishment of parole boards composed of members
of the community and representatives from all stake holders in the criminal
justice system. It will regulate the composition and functions of parole
boards, the functions of institutional committees, and the provisions which
will apply to a prisoner`s release.
Key political messages
- While the ANC recognises the social causes of criminal activity, this
legislation shows that the ANC is tough on crime and is dealing decisively
with criminal behaviour - Crime figures for 1997 show that we have reached a turning point in
the fight against crime - the total serious crime rate decreased by a significant
2.2% - The crime rate is now 3.3% less than in 1994, when measured
as the rate per 100,000 members of the population, and taking into account
population growth
By curtailing bail for serious offences, by specifying minimum sentences
for serious crimes, by establishing proper procedures for parole and empowering
the courts to impose a minimum sentence to be served before parole is granted,
the ANC has given teeth to the fight against crime.
