Lesupi and Another v The Crown (C of A (CRI) 10 of 2011) [2012] LSCA 8 (27 April 2012)

IN THE COUR T OF AP PE AL OF LE S OTH O C OF A (CRI) 1 0 OF 2 0 1 1 In t h e m a t ter b etween : M. LE S UPI I. LE TS IKA a n d F IR S T AP PE LLANT SE COND AP PE LLANT THE CR OWN R E S P ONDE NT COR AM: S MALBE RGE R, J A S COTT, J A HOWIE , J A 1 0 APRIL 2 0 1 2 HE ARD: DE LIVE RE D: 2 7 APRIL 2 0 1 2 S UMMAR Y Defea t in g or ob s t r u ct in g t h e en d s of ju s t ice – m a gis t r a t e in s er t in g fa ls e en t r y in r em a n d r ecor d in cr im in a l ca s e – wh et h er d on e wit h cr im in a l in t en t – s en t en ce – n eed for d et er r en ce. J UDGME NT HOWIE , J A [1 ] Ha vin g ea ch m a d e a fa ls e en tr y in t h e p r e -tr ia l r em a n d r ecor d of a p en d in g cr im in a l ca s e, t h e t wo a p p ella n ts , s er vin g m a gis tr a tes on t h e s ta ff of t h e Ma gis tr a t e’s Cou r t , Ma s er u , wer e ch a r ged on t wo cou n ts of d efea tin g or ob s tr u ctin g t h e cou r s e of ju s t ice. Th er e wer e two cou n ts on t h e b a s is t h a t t h ey h a d a ct ed wit h com m on p u r p os e wh en ea ch ’s en tr y wa s m a d e. [2 ] E a ch wa s con victed on b ot h cou n t s a n d s en t en ced t o a fin e of M1 0 0 0 0 on ea ch cou n t , t h e s en t en ces t o r u n con cu r r en tly. [3 ] Th e a p p ella n ts h a ve a p p ea led a ga in s t t h eir con viction s . Th e Cr own h a s cr os s -a p p ea led a ga in s t t h e s en t en ces , con ten d in g t h a t u n s u s p en d ed im p r is on m en t s h ou ld h a ve b een im p os ed . [4 ] Du r in g 2 0 0 5 t wo cr im in a l ca s es , in wh ich on e Ts elis o S teven Dla m in i (Dla m in i) wa s on e of t h e t h r ee a ccu s ed in volved in ea ch ca s e , wer e b r ou gh t b efor e va r iou s of t h e Ma s er u m a gis t r a tes in clu d in g th e a p p ella n t s for r em a n d fr om tim e to t im e. In ca s e 7 6 4 / 0 5 (7 6 4 ) Dla m in i wa s a ccu s ed n u m b er t h r ee. In ca s e 7 6 5 / 0 5 (7 6 5 ) h e wa s t h e la s t in tim e t o b e join ed a s a co-a ccu s ed , a n d wa s p os s ib ly a ccu s ed n u m b er t h r ee t h er e a s well b u t t h e evid en ce is n ot con clu s ive in t h a t r es p ect. At a ll tim es r eleva n t to t h is m a t ter Dla m in i wa s r elea s ed on b a il. [5 ] Dla m in i a n d on e Peggy Th a k eli wer e t h e on ly a ccu s ed com m on to b ot h ca s es . E a ch ca s e in volved a ch a r ge of fr a u d a n d wa s on e of a s er ies of s o-ca lled a n ti-cor r u p tion ca s es , for t h e p r os ecu tion of wh ich a s p ecia l a d m in is tr a tive a n d p r os ecu tin g s ta ff h a d b een a s s em b led . Th e ca s e files wer e in t h e cu s t od y of t h e s en ior cler k of t h e cou r t a n d k ep t a p a r t fr om ot h er ca s e r ecor d s . [6 ] Th e m a gis tr a t es ’ r em a n d or d er s wer e h a n d wr itten on p a ges a tt a ch ed to t h e r es p ective ch a r ge s h eets a n d s ou gh t to r ecor d , in te r a lia , wh ich a ccu s ed wer e b efor e t h e cou r t (cou r t b ein g a t er m a ls o u s ed wh en t h e r em a n d in fa ct took p la ce in a m a gis tr a te’s ch a m b er s ), t h e d a t e of r em a n d a n d t h e d a te t o wh ich t h e m a t ter wa s p os t p on ed . Clea r ly, t h e r em a n d en tr ies wer e p a r t of t h e officia l r ecor d of ea ch ca s e. [7 ] On occa s ion s ca s es 7 6 4 a n d 7 6 5 wer e r e m a n d ed b y t h e s a m e m a gis tr a te on t h e s a m e d a y. On e of t h os e occa s ion s wa s 2 5 Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 wh en Ma gis t r a te Ra leb es e officia t ed . In ca s e 7 6 4 s h e m er ely r ecor d ed t h a t a ll t h e a ccu s ed wer e b efor e cou r t a n d t h a t t h e ca s e wa s r em a n d ed to 2 7 Sep t em b er 2 0 0 5 p en d in g fu r t h er in ves tiga tion . In ca s e 7 6 5 wh a t s h e r ecor d ed wa s t h is – “On 2 5 / 8 / 0 5 a ll a ccu s ed a r e b efor e cou r t . Mr . Kot ele a p p ea r s for Cr own a n d h e a p p lies for t h e wit h d r a wa l of t h e ch a r ges a ga in s t A3 Lit eb oh o Pu lu m o S es oa n e a t (s ic) t h e in s t r u ct ion s of t h e DPP. Cr t : Ch a r ges a ga in s t A3 a r e a ccor d in gly wit h d r a wn . Rem t o 2 7 / 9 / 0 5 .” Mr s . Ra leb es e s ign ed b ot h en tr ies . [8 ] Th e on ly la ter r em a n d n ota tion , id en tica l in ea ch ca s e, wh ich is of a n y r eleva n ce r ea d s : “On t h e 2 7 / 1 0 / 0 5 a ll (a ccu s ed ) n ot (b efor e) Cr t . Rem t o 2 9 / 1 1 / 0 5 p en d in g s et d own .” Con s equ en tly, in n eit h er ca s e wer e th e r em a in in g a ccu s ed b r ou gh t b efor e cou r t , s p ecifica lly for r em a n d , b etween 2 5 Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 a n d t h e in d ict m en t in t h e High Cou r t in Feb r u a r y 2 0 0 6 of Dla m in i a n d Th a k eli in b ot h ca s es . [9 ] In t h a t in ter ven in g p er iod t h e even ts cr u cia l t o t h e Cr own ca s e in t h e p r es en t m a t ter occu r r ed . Fir s tly, t h e fir s t a p p ella n t in s cr ib ed t h e followin g in s er tion b etween Mr s . Ra leb es e’s n ota tion a n d s ign a t u r e of 2 5 Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 in ca s e 7 6 4 – “Bu t ch a r ges wit h d r a wn vs A3 on ly.” Cr own evid en ce r efer r ed t o t h es e wor d s a s h a vin g b een “s qu eezed in ” a n d t h a t d es cr ip tion is n ot in a p p r op r ia t e. In t h e con text of ca s e 7 6 4 “A3 ” wa s a n u n m is ta k a b le r efer en ce t o Dla m in i. Th a t in s cr ip tion wa s fa ls e a n d wa s a p p a r en t ly in ten tion a lly m a d e. [1 0 ] S u b s equ en tly Dla m in i ca m e t o t h e Ma s er u Ma gis tr a te’s Cou r t a n d r equ es ted r efu n d of t h e b a il m on ey in b ot h ca s es . Th e Cr own evid en ce in t h is r ega r d wa s given b y Mr s . Ma n t s eb o Ab ia , a cler k of t h e cou r t em p loyed in t h e cr im in a l r egis tr y. Mr s . Ab ia r equ ir ed h im t o p u t h is r equ es t in ea ch in s ta n ce in wr itin g. He d id s o. Th e r eleva n t d ocu m en ta tion s h ows t h a t h e in s cr ib ed t h e d a te of 1 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 0 6 on h is wr itt en r equ es t s . [1 1 ] Mr s . Ab ia t h en d r ew t h e r ecor d in ea ch ca s e a n d t oo k t h e d ocu m en ts to t h e a ccou n ts office. Th e cler k s t h er e wer e n ot p r ep a r ed t o a ct on wh a t t h ey a p p a r en tly r ega r d ed a s t h e u n con vin cin g a p p ea r a n ce of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t’s in s cr ip tion . Th ey wa n ted t h e en tr y t o b e wr itten m or e clea r ly. Mr s . Ab ia s a id s h e ob s er ved t h a t t h e la s t en tr y in t h e r em a n d r ecor d of ca s e 7 6 4 wa s on e d a ted 2 7 Sep tem b er 2 0 0 5 m a d e b y t h e s econ d a p p ella n t (t h e d eta ils of wh ich I s h a ll m en tion in d u e cou r s e). S h e t h er efor e s ou gh t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t a s t h e m a gis tr a te wh o s h ou ld m a k e t h e r equ ir ed r e -r ecor d in g of t h e a lleged wit h d r a wa l. [1 2 ] Th e a p p ella n ts s h a r ed a n office. In itia lly Mr s . Ab ia fou n d on ly t h e fir s t a p p ella n t p r e s en t wh o, wh en t old of t h e a ccou n ts cler k s ’ r equ ir em en t, s a id t h a t h er en tr y wa s clea r en ou gh . However , wh en even tu a lly t h e s econ d a p p ella n t ca m e to t h e office Ab ia told h er of t h e s itu a tion . Th e s econ d a p p ella n t t h en wr ot e “Ch a r ges wit h d r a wn a ga in s t A3 ” a n d s ign ed h er n a m e b elow t h a t . As in t h e ca s e of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t ’s in s cr ip tion t h is in s cr ip tion wa s fa ls e. Neit h er in s cr ip tion wa s m a d e on t h e s tr en gt h of in for m a tion em a n a tin g fr om t h e s p ecia l p r os ecu t or a n d in n eit h er ca s e wa s t h e a p p ella n t a ctin g a s t h e r em a n d m a gis tr a t e. Th e u p s h ot, a ccor d in g t o t h e Cr own ca s e, wa s t h a t Dla m in i’s b a il m on ey wa s wr on gly r efu n d ed a n d h e eva d ed h is High Cou r t p r os ecu tion for s om e con s id er a b le tim e. Hen ce t h e p r es en t ch a r ges . [1 3 ] It will b e r eca lled t h a t 2 5 Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 wa s t h e la s t occa s ion on wh ich t h e two ca s es wer e r em a n d ed , t h a t t h e d a te t o wh ich t h ey wer e p os t p on ed wa s 2 7 S ep tem b er 2 0 0 5 a n d t h a t n on e of t h e a ccu s ed wer e in fa ct b r ou gh t u p for r em a n d on t h e la t ter d a te. [1 4 ] Wh a t d id occu r on 2 7 Sep t em b er – a n d t h is wa s on ly in r es p ect of ca s e 7 6 4 – wa s th a t t h e fir s t a ccu s ed (on e Pa k is o Mp et a ) wa s a lon e b r ou gh t to cou r t a n d a p p lied t o b e excu s ed fr om a t ten d in g r em a n d s . Th e p r os ecu t or wa s Moja b en g Nt a b e (t h en Ms Bin n s ) a n d t h e m a gis tr a t e wa s t h e s econ d a p p ella n t . Th e a p p lica tion wa s d is m is s ed . Ha vin g r ecor d ed t h a t , t h e s econ d a p p ella n t r em a n d ed t h e a ccu s ed to 2 7 Octob er 2 0 0 5 a n d s ign ed t h is en tr y. Th is wa s t h e la s t en tr y wh ich Mr s . Ab ia cla im ed t o h a ve s een on t h e r ecor d of ca s e 7 6 4 wh en Dla m in i ca m e for h is b a il r efu n d . [1 5 ] Du r in g t h e p r e-tr ia l in ves tiga tion of t h e p r es en t m a t ter t h e a p p ella n t s wer e wa r n ed of t h e p os s ib le ch a r ges a ga in s t t h em a n d in for m ed of t h eir r igh ts to s ilen ce. Th e occa s ion wa s a m eetin g on 2 3 Oct ob er 2 0 0 6 b etween t h em , t h e Res id en t Ma gis tr a te (Mr . Mot h eb e) a n d th e Dir ector Gen er a l of t h e Dir ect or a te of Cor r u p tion a n d E con om ic Offen ces , Bor ot h o Ma t s os o. Th e s econ d a p p ella n t elected to r em a in s ilen t. Th e fir s t a p p ella n t p r ovid ed a n s wer s t o Ma ts os o’s qu es tion s . Th e a d m is s ib ilit y of t h os e a n s wer s h a s n ever b een in is s u e. [1 6 ] Th e r ecor d of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t’s a n s wer s , E xh ib it F, r ea d s a s follows (t h e r efer en ces t o Lets ik a b ein g to t h e s econ d a p p ella n t): “Wit h r ega r d t o t h e en t r y m a d e b y Let s ik a I wa s wit h h er , I a n d Let s ik a ch eck ed t h e r ecor d a n d fou n d t h a t ch a r ges wer e wit h d r a wn a ga in s t A3 in a n ot h er r ecor d wh ich wa s a lwa ys p a ir ed t oget h er wit h t h is on e on wh ich I wr ot e. I m a d e t h is en t r y on t h e 2 7 / 0 9 / 0 5 for a ft er wit h d r a wa l of ch a r ges a ga in s t A 3 . t h a t Mr . Kot ele h a d a p p lied r ea lizin g Qu e s t io n : Wer e you in Cou r t wh en t h is wa s d on e? An s we r : Yes b u t it wa s Ma gis t r a t e Let s ik a wh o wa s p r es id in g, I r ep ea t t h a t t h e wit h d r a wa l wa s m a d e on t h e 2 7 / 0 9 a n d wou ld lik e t o s t r es s t h a t it is p r op er a n d n or m a l t h a t a m a gis t r a t e ca n cor r e ct a n ot h er m a gis t r a t e’s r ecor d a n d t h is d oes n ot m a t t er wh et h er on e is s it t in g or n ot . Th er e is n o n eed t o exp la in t o t h e s it t in g m a gis t r a t e, wh en t h is is m a d e I d id t h is ch a n ge in t h e Cou r t of La w a n d t h e a ccu s ed a n d t h e La wyer s wer e t h er e. Qu e s t io n : Wh a t a ct u a lly h a p p en ed on t h is d a y? An s we r : if t h e a ccu s ed wer e a ll Aft er a n a p p lica t ion , b y t h e fir s t a ccu s ed in t h a t ca s e for r ecu s a l fr om r em a n d s wa s r eject ed b y Ma gis t r a t e Let s ik a , s h e a s k ed in a t t en d a n ce, on e of t h e a ccu s ed s a id t h a t Accu s ed No.3 wa s n ot p r op er ly b efor e t h e cou r t b eca u s e ch a r ges h a ve b een wit h d r a wn a ga in s t h im . Ma gis t r a t e Let s ik a n ot ed t h en t h a t ch a r ges h a ve b een wit h d r a wn a ga in s t Accu s ed 3 . It wa s t h en t h a t I t ook t h e r ecor d a n d m a d e a n en t r y a ga in s t Ma gis t r a t e Ra leb es e’s s ign a t u r e t h a t t h e ch a r ges h a ve b een wit h d r a wn a ga in s t Accu s ed No. 3 . Wh a t I d id wa s ju s t a r eflect ion of wh a t Let s ik a t h a t d a y’s in h er h a d a lr ea d y m a d e p r oceed in gs . I d id t h is ju s t t o cor r ect Ma gis t r a t e Ra leb es e’s om is s ion . r ecor d of Qu e s t io n : Wh a t d o you k n ow of t h e en t r y m a d e in t h e r ecor d t h a t A3 in t h a t r ecor d is Lit eb oh o Pu lu m o a n d for t h a t m a t t er is clea r ly s p elled ou t in t h e r ecor d ? An s we r : To m y u n d er s t a n d in g, Accu s ed 3 wa s S t ep h en Dla m in i, t h e Pu lu m o m en t ion ed t h er e cou ld h a ve b een t h e p r os ecu t or t o m y ju d gm en t n ot t h e a ccu s ed , a b ove a ll, t h e r ecor d s h a ve b een m u t ila t ed a n d I wa n t t o s ee m y en t r ies or t h es e en t r ies t h a t I m a d e in t h es e r ecor d s . All of t h em s h ou ld b e h er e s o t h a t t h in gs cou ld b e clea r .” [1 7 ] In s o fa r a s t h e fir s t a p p ella n t r equ ir ed t o s ee a ll h er en tr ies , t h e r em a n d r ecor d s for m p a r t of t h e tr ia l r ecor d . It h a s n ot b een con t en d ed on h er b eh a lf t h a t t h er e wa s a n y ot h er en tr y b y h er , or a n y ot h er en tr y for th a t m a t ter , wh ich h a s a b ea r in g on t h e ou t com e of t h e a p p ea l. [1 8 ] Mr s . Nta b e ga ve evid en ce for t h e Cr own . S h e s a id t h a t on 2 7 Sep tem b er 2 0 0 5 s h e wa s t h e p r os ecu tor , s t a n d in g in for Mr . Kotele, th e officia l a n ti-cor r u p tion p r os ecu tor wh o wa s u n a va ila b le. S h e s a id th a t it wa s on ly t h e fir s t a ccu s ed in ca s e 7 6 4 , a wom a n , t h a t wa s b efor e t h e s econ d a p p ella n t t h a t d a y a n d t h e m a t ter wa s d ea lt wit h in ch a m b er s . Mor eover ca s e 7 6 4 wa s t h e on ly ca s e in volved on t h a t occa s ion . [1 9 ] Un d er cr os s -exa m in a tion s h e s a id t h a t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t d id en qu ir e a s t o t h e wh er ea b ou t s of t h e ot h er a ccu s ed b u t t h a t t h e a ccu s ed con cer n ed s a id s h e d id n ot k n ow wh er e t h ey wer e. Mr s . Nt a b e s a id t h a t t h e a ccu s ed d id n ot s a y t h a t on e of h er co-a ccu s ed h a d b een d is ch a r ged a n d t h a t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t d id n ot r ecor d t h a t ch a r ges a ga in s t a ccu s ed n u m b er t h r ee wer e wit h d r a wn . It wa s t h en p u t to h er th a t h a vin g b een in for m ed b y th e s in gle a ccu s ed p r es en t t h a t t h e ch a r ges a ga in s t a n ot h er a ccu s ed in t h e ca s e h a d b een wit h d r a wn , t h e s econ d a p p ella n t cou ld fin d n ot h in g to t h a t effect in t h e r ecor d a n d t h a t t h is p r om p t ed a n ot h er m a gis tr a t e in t h e office (ob viou s ly a r efer en ce to t h e fir s t a p p ella n t) t o r ea ch for a n ot h er r ecor d t h a t wa s on t h e ta b le, in wh ich it wa s fou n d t h a t t h er e wa s in d eed a m in u t e in d ica tin g th a t ch a r ges h a d b een wit h d r a wn , in cou n s el’s wor d s , “a ga in s t a n a ccu s ed 3 in t h a t r ecor d ”. Th e wit n es s ’ em p h a tic r ep ly wa s t h a t n ot h in g of t h e s or t h a p p en ed . [2 0 ] Cr os s -exa m in a tion of Mr s . Nta b e wen t on t o in clu d e t h e p r op os ition t h a t h a vin g fou n d t h is r efer en ce t o t h e wit h d r a wa l in t h e ot h er ca s e t h e fir s t a p p ella n t t h en m a d e t h e in s er tion wh ich is t h e s u b ject of t h e ca s e a ga in s t h er . Mr s . Nta b e d en ied t h a t t h is h a d h a p p en ed in cou r t . S h e s a id t h a t a ll t h a t wa s r efer r ed to t h a t d a y wa s ca s e 7 6 4 a n d on ly t h e a p p lica tion for excu s a l fr om r em a n d s wa s u n d er con s id er a tion . Th e wit n es s a ls o d en ied t h a t t h e fir s t a p p ella n t wa s in a n y wa y in volved in t h es e p r oceed in gs . [2 1 ] Neit h er a p p ella n t tes tified . [2 2 ] It is p la in fr om a s t u d y of t h e evid en ce of Ab ia a n d Nt a b e t h a t t h e a ccou n t wh ich t h e fir s t a p p ella n t ga ve to Ma ts os o in E xh ib it F wa s fa ls e in s ever a l im p or ta n t r es p ect s . [2 3 ] Fir s t , s h e d id n ot in s cr ib e h er en tr y a fter t h e s econ d a p p ella n t h a d a lr ea d y m a d e h er s . Clea r ly, t h e fir s t a p p ella n t’s fa ls e en tr y wa s a lr e a d y on t h e r ecor d of ca s e 7 6 4 b efor e Dla m in i a p p r oa ch ed Ab ia for h is b a il m on ey. It t h er efor e p r eced ed t h e s econ d a p p ella n t’s en t r y. [2 4 ] Secon d , t h e la t ter en tr y wa s m a d e n ot on 2 7 Sep tem b er 2 0 0 5 a t a ll b u t a t s om e la ter s t a ge. Mr s . Ab ia s a ys s h e t ook t h e r ecor d of ca s e 7 6 4 t o t h e s econ d a p p ella n t b eca u s e h er m in u t e of 2 7 Sep t em b er wa s t h e la tes t en tr y. It follows t h a t it wa s a lr ea d y on r ecor d s om e tim e b efor e t h e s econ d a p p ella n t’s en tr y wa s effected . [2 5 ] Th ir d , t h a t en t r y wa s m a d e in t h e a b s en ce of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t . [2 6 ] Fou r t h , on 2 7 Sep tem b er on ly t h e fir s t a ccu s ed in ca s e 7 6 4 wa s p r es en t a n d s h e s a id n ot h in g a b ou t t h e wit h d r a wa l of ch a r ges a ga in s t a co-a ccu s ed . [2 7 ] Fift h , on Mr s . Ab ia ’s evid en ce n o r efer en ce wa s m a d e b y eit h er a p p ella n t t o t h e r ecor d in ca s e 7 6 5 . Nor wa s it p u t t o h er t h a t eit h er a p p ella n t r efer r ed to it a s con t a in in g t h e s ou r ce of t h eir a s s er tion (or im p r es s ion ) t h a t t h e ch a r ges a ga in s t Dla m in i h a d b een wit h d r a wn . Given t h e ten or of t h eir r es p ective cou n s el’s cr os s -exa m in a tion of Mr s . Ab ia a n d Mr s . Nt a b e, on e m igh t h a ve exp ect ed t h a t lin e of qu es tion in g. [2 8 ] Sixt h a n d in a n y even t , t h e a llega tion b y t h e fir s t a p p ella n t in E xh ib it F t h a t s h e ch eck ed t h e r ecor d in ca s e 7 6 5 a n d fou n d t h a t t h e ch a r ges wer e wit h d r a wn a ga in s t A3 in t h a t ca s e is n ot cr ed ib le. Ha d s h e b een a s in ten t on b ein g ca r efu l a s s h e con veyed , s h e wou ld s u r ely h a ve s een t h a t t h e p er s on wh os e ch a r ges wer e wit h d r a wn wa s n ot m er ely r efer r ed to b y n u m b er b u t a ct u a lly n a m ed . An d t h a t p er s on wa s n ot Dla m in i. It wou ld b e lu d icr ou s t o s u gges t t h a t a n en tr y d ecla r in g t h e wit h d r a wa l of ch a r ges a ga in s t Ses oa n e cou ld wa r r a n t t h e con clu s ion t h a t t h ey h a d , in a n ot h er ca s e en tir ely, b een wit h d r a wn a ga in s t Dla m in i. [2 9 ] Fin a lly, t h e en tr y b y t h e s econ d a p p ella n t wa s m a d e n ot in cou r t b u t in ch a m b er s . Alt h ou gh “cou r t” d id on occa s ion m ea n ch a m b er s t h e qu es tion p u t t o h er b y Ma ts os o wa s ver y s p ecific: “Wer e you in cou r t wh en t h is wa s d on e? ” a n d u n m is ta k a b ly s h e a n s wer ed t h a t b ot h t h eir en tr ies wer e m a d e “in t h e Cou r t of La w a n d t h e a ccu s ed a n d t h e La wyer s wer e t h er e.” [3 0 ] An u n cer ta in ty t h a t t h e evid en ce fa ils com p letely to r es olve is wh et h er t h e s econ d a p p ella n t’s en tr y (a n d t h u s t h e a n ter ior r equ es t for h is b a il m on ey b y Dla m in i) occu r r ed s om e tim e b etween h er en tr y in ca s e 7 6 4 d a ted 2 7 S ep tem b er 2 0 0 5 a n d t h e n ext en tr y, d a t ed 2 7 Octob er 2 0 0 5 , or on 1 0 J a n u a r y 2 0 0 6 , b ein g t h e d a te on Dla m in i’s wr itten r ep a ym en t r equ es t s . Mr s . Ab ia s eem s t o h a ve h a d a con vin cin g r ea s on t o a p p r oa ch t h e s econ d a p p ella n t a s t h e a u t h or of t h e m in u te d a ted 2 7 Sep tem b er 2 0 0 5 b eca u s e h er s wa s t h en t h e la s t en tr y on t h e p a ge. In ot h er wor d s t h e Oct ob er en tr y wa s n ot yet t h er e. On t h e ot h er h a n d if Dla m in i’s r equ es t wa s m on t h s ea r lier t h a n J a n u a r y 2 0 0 6 t h er e s eem s n o r ea s on wh y h e wou ld h a ve p os t-d a ted h is r equ es t. It wou ld on ly h a ve a ttr a cted , for h im , in con ven ien t en qu ir y. However , t h e u n cer ta in ty in t h is r ega r d a d d s n ou gh t t o t h e d efen ce ca s e a n d d etr a cts in n o m ea s u r e fr om t h e Cr own ca s e. [3 1 ] Th er e ca n b e n o qu es tion b u t t h a t t h e fir s t a p p ella n t ga ve Ma ts os o a d elib er a tely fa ls e a ccou n t of t h e m a k in g of h er fa ls e en tr y in t h e r ecor d of ca s e 7 6 4 . [3 2 ] Th a t s h e m a d e t h a t en tr y on h er own in it ia tive a n d t h a t it wa s coin cid en ta lly d is cover ed wh en Dla m in i ca m e t o r ecla im h is b a il m on ey is u n s u p p or t ed b y a n y evid en ce a n d is im p r ob a b le. [3 3 ] Th e m os t p r ob a b le in fer en ce is t h a t Dla m in i, h a vin g h ea r d on 2 5 Au gu s t 2 0 0 5 t h a t t h e ch a r ges in ca s e 7 6 5 wer e wit h d r a wn a ga in s t A3 (or a ccu s ed t h r ee, d ep en d in g on wh a t wor d s Mr s . Ra leb es e u s ed ), s ou gh t t o t a k e a d va n t a ge of p os s ib le u n cer ta in ty u n d er wh ich t h e r eleva n t officia ls m igh t la b ou r in t h is r ega r d a s t o t h e p os ition in ca s e 7 6 4 a n d t h a t it wa s h e wh o m a d e a n a p p r oa ch t o t h e fir s t a p p ella n t t o cor r u p t t h e r ecor d , wh ich s h e t h en d id . [3 4 ] S h e wa s , of cou r s e, en titled to r em a in s ilen t b u t in exer cis in g t h a t r igh t s h e r a n t h e r is k t h a t a p os s ib le in n ocen t exp la n a tion b y h er wou ld b e left u n te n d er ed . In ot h er wor d s on e is ju s tified in in fer r in g t h a t h a d t h er e b een a n in n ocen t exp la n a tion s h e wou ld h a ve given it. Th e r es u lt m u s t b e t h a t t h e m os t p r ob a b le in fer en ce ju s t m en tion ed b ecom es t h e on ly r ea s on a b le in fer en ce. [3 5 ] Th e fir s t a p p ella n t wa s a ccor d in gly cor r ectly con vict ed on t h e fir s t cou n t. [3 6 ] Th er e is n o evid en ce t h a t it wa s a t a n y tim e t h e com m on p u r p os e of t h e a p p ella n ts t h a t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t s h ou ld m a k e a n y fa ls e en tr y on eit h er ca s e r ecor d . Th e fir s t a p p ella n t wa s t h er efor e wr on gly con victed on cou n t two. [3 7 ] Tu r n in g t o t h e ca s e a ga in s t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t , Mr s . Ab ia ’s evid en ce s h ows t h a t t h e a ccou n ts office cler k s wa n ted a m a gis tr a te to r e -wr ite t h e wit h d r a wa l in s cr ip tion clea r ly. Un d ou b ted ly t h e s econ d a p p ella n t wa s m os t u n wis e t o com p ly. S h e s h ou ld h a ve r equ ir ed t h a t t h e s p ecia l p r os ecu t or p r ovid ed t h e n eces s a r y a s s u r a n ce t h a t t h e ch a r ges wer e wit h d r a wn , a s wa s d on e in ca s e 7 6 5 . In d eed , it is s u s p iciou s t h a t s h e com p lied s o r ea d ily. However , t h er e is n o evid en ce t h a t s h e k n ew wh y t h e fir s t a p p ella n t’s en t r y h a d b een m a d e a n d t h er efor e n ot h in g t o lin k h er , even b y in fer en ce, to Dla m in i. Th er e is t h u s in s u fficien t t o s h ow t h a t in t h e cir cu m s t a n ces in wh ich s h e m a d e h er fa ls e en tr y, even if s h e m a d e it gr os s ly n egligen tly a n d ir r egu la r ly, s h e wa s a wa r e of t h e fa ls ity or for es a w t h e r ea l p os s ib ility of its fa ls ity. A fortiori it wa s n ot s h own t h a t h er in s cr ip tion wa s m a d e wit h t h e in t en tion a lleged in t h e in d ict m en t . [3 8 ] It follows t h a t t h e s econ d a p p ella n t ou gh t n ot t o h a ve b een con victed on cou n t two. Fu r t h er m or e, a s t h e evid en ce fa ils t o es ta b lis h a com m on p u r p os e t o m a k e t h e fa ls e en tr y wh ich wa s effect ed b y t h e fir s t a p p ella n t , th e s econ d a p p ella n t ou gh t t o h a ve b een a cqu it ted on cou n t on e. [3 9 ] Th er e r em a in s t h e m a t ter of s en t en ce a s r ega r d s t h e fir s t a p p ella n t . [4 0 ] Defea tin g or a t tem p tin g t o d efea t t h e cou r s e of ju s tice in volves a n a t t a ck on t h e s tr u ct u r es of la w a n d or d er . It is a for m of cor r u p tion . Im p a ir in g t h e p r op er cou r s e of a cr im in a l tr ia l ca n h a ve gr a ve con s equ en ces if a gu ilty p er s on wer e t h er eb y t o es ca p e ju s t p u n is h m en t. Th e r es u lta n t a d ver s e im p a ct on s ociety wou ld b e s elf-evid en t . Wh er e t h e offen d er is h er s elf a m em b er of t h e m a gis tr a cy t h e gr a vity of t h e s itu a tion is a ggr a va ted . Wh en a p er s on wh o is m ea n t t o u p h old t h e la w ca n n ot b e tr u s ted t o d o s o t h e s a fety a n d s ecu r ity of t h e com m u n ity is en d a n ger e d a n d con fid en ce in t h e ju s tice s ys tem cor r od es . In t h is m a t ter Dla m in i wa s n ot a ccu s ed of violen t cr im e a n d h e wa s , we k n ow, even t u a lly b r ou gh t t o b ook . Never t h eles s t h e ca s e ca lls for a s en t en ce wh ich m a r k s t h e d is qu iet wit h wh ich t h is Cou r t, on b eh a lf of s ociety, views t h e offen ce of wh ich t h e fir s t a p p ella n t h a s b een con vict ed . Th a t s en t en ce m u s t n eed s in clu d e u n s u s p en d ed im p r is on m en t s o t h a t ot h er s wh o m igh t b e in clin ed to follow t h e fir s t a p p ella n t’s exa m p le, a n d s h e h er s elf, m u s t b e a p p r op r ia tely d eter r ed . [4 1 ] We h a ve n ot b een r efer r ed t o r eleva n t Les ot h o ca s e la w a n d a r e n ot a wa r e of a n y. S ou t h Afr ica n ca s es in r ecen t yea r s r eflect a ju d icia l a ttit u d e s u ita b ly con d em n a t or y of t h os e in officia l p os ition s wh o ob s tr u ct t h e d u e cou r s e of cr im in a l ju s tice. Th ey s h ow u n s u s p en d ed im p r is on m en t t o b e wh olly fittin g. In S v W 1 9 9 5 (1 ) SACR 6 0 6 (A) (a p u b lic p r os ecu t or ) five yea r s wa s im p os ed , two s u s p en d ed ; in S v Ne wy e a r 1 9 9 5 (1 ) SACR 6 2 6 (A) (a p olice con s ta b le) fou r yea r s , two s u s p en d ed ; a n d in S v Va n Dy k 1 9 9 8 (2 ) SACR 3 6 3 (W), t h r ee yea r s im p r is on m en t . Her e, of cou r s e, t h e office h eld b y t h e offen d er wa s on e of gr ea t er r es p on s ib ility t h a n t h os e in volved in t h e ca s es cited . [4 2 ] In t h e cir cu m s t a n ces it s eem s to m e t h a t t h er e is t h a t d egr ee of d is p a r ity b etween t h e s en ten ce im p os ed on t h e fir s t a p p ella n t a n d t h e s en ten ce wh ich t h is Cou r t wou ld h a ve im p os ed wh ich wa r r a n ts t h e ca t egor is a tion of t h e im p os ed s en ten ce a s u n r ea s on a b ly len ien t. Ap p ella te in ter fer en ce is t h er efor e r equ ir ed . [4 3 ] Ha vin g r ega r d to a ll t h e cir cu m s t a n ces of t h e m a t ter t h e cr os s -a p p ea l m u s t s u cceed in t h e ca s e of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t . [4 4 ] Th is Cou r t’s or d er is a s follows : 1 . 2 . 3 . Th e a p p ea l of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t is d is m is s ed in r es p ect of cou n t 1 a n d a llowed in r es p ect of cou n t 2 . Th e a p p ea l of t h e s econ d a p p ella n t is a llowed a n d h er con viction s a n d s en ten ces a r e s et a s id e. Th e cr os s -a p p ea l in t h e ca s e of t h e fir s t a p p ella n t s u cceed s . Th e s en ten ce im p os ed on t h e fir s t a p p ella n t on cou n t on e is s et a s id e. In it s s tea d t h er e is s u b s tit u ted t h e followin g: “ S ix (6 ) y e a r s im p r is o n m e n t o f wh ic h t h r e e (3 ) y e a r s is s u s p e n d e d fo r 5 y e a r s o n c o n d it io n t h a t t h e a c c u s e d is n o t c o n vic t e d o f d e fe a t in g o r a t t e m p t in g ju s t ic e t o d e fe a t c o m m it t e d o f s u s p e n s io n .” o f p e r io d t h e d u r in g e n d s t h e I a gr ee: ______________________ C. T. H OWIE J US TICE OF APPE AL _______________________ J . W. S MALBE R GE R J US TICE OF APPE AL I a gr ee: _______________________ D. G. S COTT J US TICE OF APPE AL For t h e fir s t a p p ella n t : For t h e s econ d a p p ella n t : Ad v K. K. Moh a u KC Ad v M. E . Teele KC For t h e Cr own : Ad v H. H. T. Wok er