Criminal Law in South Africa 4e

Criminal Law in South Africa 4e offers a clear, comprehensive and applied explanation of the principles of criminal law in South Africa. This fourth edition text is revised and updated to reflect the extensive developments in South African- and international criminal law during the recent period.
The text addresses the general principles of criminal law, as well as the elements of specific common law crimes and statutory offences. It includes discussion of organised and commercial crime, and international criminal law, as well as a chapter that broadly outlines the South African criminal procedure system. Legal theory is presented in light of the influence of the Bill of Rights, comparative law perspectives, international and transnational law, and the emerging decolonisation debate.
A wealth of discussion points within the text offer critical perspective and analysis of moot and contentious issues. In a critical yet accessible manner, the text considers various developments that affect law reform, for example: constitutional aspects of the disciplinary chastisement of children, consent in the context of sexual offences, youth as a factor in determining criminal capacity, the scope of the crime of public violence, and the impact of cyber criminality on general principles and specific offences.
Designed to support understanding, the text succinctly explains criminal law principles with numerous case illustrations, and balances theoretical depth with a focus on the application of principles. This approach is supported by an annexure that demonstrates a methodology for solving problems in criminal law.
Criminal Law in South Africa 4e serves as core material for courses in criminal law, at the undergraduate level of the LLB programme. Additional teaching presentation and assessment resources are available to support teaching and learning.
Features
The fourth edition is thoroughly revised and updated to address the many legal developments that have occurred within the recent period. Key developments include the following:
Case law relating to the criminal liability of a director of a company for the acts or omissions of the company
Continuing academic and policy debates, and legal developments, relating to the criminalisation of hate speech and hate crimes
Case law relating to the crime of theft by false pretences
Case law relating to conspiracy
Amendments to the Child Justice Act of 2008, affecting the age of criminal responsibility
Developments relating to the constitutionality of the crime of ‘intimidation
South Africa’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture of 2003
Case law developments relating to the crimes of racketeering and money laundering
Case law developments relating to the doctrine of common purpose and the crime of robbery
COVID-19 regulations affecting criminal law
D evelopments relating to the unconstitutionality of the defence of lawful disciplinary chastisement of a minor
The decriminalisation of the private use of cannabis
Several significant developments relating to international criminal law
Pedagogical discussion features introduce new African-cultural perspectives relating to specific issues or principles.
The ancillary teaching presentation and assessment resources are updated, and assessment materials are expanded to offer valuable teaching and learning support.