Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual_Offences) Amendment Act
This section says the Act amends the Prescription Act, 1969 and the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 to extend sexual-offence rules.
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- Act 15 of 2020
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This section says the Act amends the Prescription Act, 1969 and the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 to extend sexual-offence rules. This section amends section 12 so that prescription does not start running for debts based on certain alleged sexual offences and related trafficking offences. Prescription does not start running for certain debts tied to incapacity, including where the creditor cannot sue because of a mental or psychological condition, intellectual disability, or disorder, and for other factors the court considers appropriate. This provision amends section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969 by replacing paragraph (a). This section amends section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969 by replacing paragraph (a) in subsection (1).
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Provisions of Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual_Offences) Amendment Act
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No. 44034
AI-assisted research summary: This section says the Act amends the Prescription Act, 1969 and the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 to extend sexual-offence rules.
2 No. 44034 GENERAL EXPLANATORY NOTE: GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23 DECEMBER 2020 Act No. 15 of 2020 [ ] Words in bold type in square brackets indicate omissions from Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020 existing enactments. Words underlined with a solid line indicate insertions in (English text signed by the President) existing enactments. (Assented to 20 December 2020) GENERAL EXPLANATORY NOTE: 2 [ ] Words in bold type in square brackets indicate omissions from existing enactments. Words underlined with a solid line indicate insertions in existing enactments. ACT To amend the Prescription Act, 1969, so as to extend the list of sexual offences in respect of which prescription does not commence to run under certain circum- stances regarding a debt that is based on the alleged commission of any of those sexual offences; to amend the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, so as to extend the list of sexual offences in respect of which a prosecution may be instituted after a period of 20 years has lapsed since the date of the alleged commission of the sexual offence; and to provide for matters connected therewith. ACT PARLIAMENT of the Republic of South Africa enacts, as follows:— To amend the Prescription Act, 1969, so as to extend the list of sexual offences in respect of which prescription does not commence to run under certain circum- Amendment of section 12 of Act 68 of 1969, as amended by section 1 of Act 11 of stances regarding a debt that is based on the alleged commission of any of those 1984, section 68 of Act 32 of 2007 and section 48 of Act 7 of 2013 sexual offences; to amend the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977, so as to extend the list of sexual offences in respect of which a prosecution may be instituted after a period - 1 Verify source ↗
Section 12 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution for
AI-assisted research summary: This section amends section 12 so that prescription does not start running for debts based on certain alleged sexual offences and related trafficking offences.
1. Section 12 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution for of 20 years has lapsed since the date of the alleged commission of the sexual offence; subsection (4) of the following subsection: and to provide for matters connected therewith. ‘‘(4) Prescription shall not commence to run in respect of a debt that is based on the alleged commission of— (a) (b) subsection (4) of the following subsection: PARLIAMENT of the Republic of South Africa enacts, as follows:— [an alleged sexual offence as contemplated in sections 3, 4, 17, 18(2), 20(1), 23, 24(2) and 26(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007,] any sexual offence in terms of the common law or a statute; and Amendment of section 12 of Act 68 of 1969, as amended by section 1 of Act 11 of [an alleged offence] offences as provided for in sections 4, 5, 6, [and] 7 and 1984, section 68 of Act 32 of 2007 and section 48 of Act 7 of 2013 8(1) and involvement in these offences as provided for in section 10 of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013, - 1 Verify source ↗
Section 12 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution for
AI-assisted research summary: Prescription does not start running for certain debts tied to incapacity, including where the creditor cannot sue because of a mental or psychological condition, intellectual disability, or disorder, and for other factors the court considers appropriate.
1. Section 12 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution for during the time in which the creditor is unable to institute proceedings because of his or her mental or [psychological condition] intellectual disability, disorder or ‘‘(4) Prescription shall not commence to run in respect of a debt that is based on incapacity, or because of any other factor that the court deems appropriate.’’. the alleged commission of— (a) [an alleged sexual offence as contemplated in sections 3, 4, 17, 18(2), 20(1), Amendment of section 13 of Act 68 of 1969, as amended by section 11 of Act 139 of 23, 24(2) and 26(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related 1992 Matters) Amendment Act, 2007,] any sexual offence in terms of the common law or a statute; and - 2 Verify source ↗
Section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution in
AI-assisted research summary: This provision amends section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969 by replacing paragraph (a).
2. Section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution in [an alleged offence] offences as provided for in sections 4, 5, 6, [and] 7 and 8(1) and involvement in these offences as provided for in section 10 of the ‘‘(a) the creditor is a minor or is [insane] a person with a mental or intellectual Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013, disability, disorder or incapacity, or is affected by any other factor that the during the time in which the creditor is unable to institute proceedings because of his or her mental or [psychological condition] intellectual disability, disorder or incapacity, or because of any other factor that the court deems appropriate.’’. subsection (1) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph: (b) 5 10 15 5 10 20 15 Amendment of section 13 of Act 68 of 1969, as amended by section 11 of Act 139 of 1992 20 - 2 Verify source ↗
Section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution in
AI-assisted research summary: This section amends section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969 by replacing paragraph (a) in subsection (1).
2. Section 13 of the Prescription Act, 1969, is hereby amended by the substitution in subsection (1) for paragraph (a) of the following paragraph: ‘‘(a) the creditor is a minor or is [insane] a person with a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or incapacity, or is affected by any other factor that the This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za Wysigingswet op Verjaring in Siviele en Strafregtelike Aangeleenthede (Seksuele Misdrywe), 2020 ALGEMENE VERDUIDELIKENDE NOTA: GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23 DECEMBER 2020 3 No. 44034 3 Wet No. 15 van 2020 [ ] Woorde in vet druk in vierkantige hakies dui op weglatings uit bestaande verordeninge. (Engelse teks deur die President geteken) Woorde met ’n volstreep daaronder dui op invoegings in (Goedgekeur op 20 Desember 2020) bestaande verordeninge 3 ALGEMENE VERDUIDELIKENDE NOTA: [ ] Woorde in vet druk in vierkantige hakies dui op weglatings uit bestaande verordeninge. Woorde met ’n volstreep daaronder dui op invoegings in bestaande verordeninge WET WET Tot wysiging van die Verjaringswet, 1969, ten einde die lys van seksuele misdrywe ten opsigte waarvan verjaring onder sekere omstandighede nie begin loop vir ’n skuld wat gegrond is op die beweerde pleging van enige van daardie seksuele misdrywe nie, uit te brei; tot wysiging van die Strafproseswet, 1977, ten einde die lys seksuele misdrywe uit te brei ten opsigte waarvan ’n vervolging ingestel mag word na verloop van ’n tydperk van 20 jaar vanaf die datum van die beweerde pleging van die seksuele misdryf; en om voorsiening te maak vir aangeleenthede wat daarmee in verband staan. Tot wysiging van die Verjaringswet, 1969, ten einde die lys van seksuele misdrywe ten opsigte waarvan verjaring onder sekere omstandighede nie begin loop vir ’n skuld wat gegrond is op die beweerde pleging van enige van daardie seksuele misdrywe nie, uit te brei; tot wysiging van die Strafproseswet, 1977, ten einde die lys seksuele misdrywe uit te brei ten opsigte waarvan ’n vervolging ingestel mag word na verloop van ’n tydperk van 20 jaar vanaf die datum van die beweerde Wysiging van artikel 12 van Wet 68 van 1969, soos gewysig deur artikel 1 van Wet pleging van die seksuele misdryf; en om voorsiening te maak vir aangeleenthede 11 van 1984, artikel 68 van Wet 32 van 2007 en artikel 48 van Wet 7 van 2013 wat daarmee in verband staan. DIE PARLEMENT van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika verorden, soos volg:— - 1 Verify source ↗
Artikel 12 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur subartikel (4)
AI-assisted research summary: This section amends section 12 of the Prescription Act, 1969, so that prescription does not start running for debts based on certain sexual offences.
1. Artikel 12 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur subartikel (4) 5 deur die volgende subartikel te vervang: beweerde pleeg van— (a) ‘‘(4) Verjaring begin nie loop nie ten opsigte van ’n skuld wat gegrond is op die DIE PARLEMENT van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika verorden, soos volg:— [’n beweerde seksuele misdryf, soos beoog in artikels 3, 4, 17, 18(2), 20(1), Wysiging van artikel 12 van Wet 68 van 1969, soos gewysig deur artikel 1 van Wet 23, 24(2), 26(1) en 71(1) of (2) van die Wysigingswet op die Strafreg 11 van 1984, artikel 68 van Wet 32 van 2007 en artikel 48 van Wet 7 van 2013 (Seksuele Misdrywe en Verwante Aangeleenthede), 2007,] enige seksuele misdryf ingevolge die gemenereg of ’n wetsbepaling; en deur die volgende subartikel te vervang: - 1 Verify source ↗
Artikel 12 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur subartikel (4)
AI-assisted research summary: This provision amends the Prescription Act so prescription does not run for certain debts based on specified offences while the creditor is unable to bring sexual proceedings because of mental, psychological, intellectual, or similar incapacity.
1. Artikel 12 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur subartikel (4) (b) misdrywe soos in artikels 4, 5, 6, 7 en 8(1) voor voorsiening gemaak en betrokkenheid by daardie misdrywe soos in artikel 10 van die ‘Prevention and ‘‘(4) Verjaring begin nie loop nie ten opsigte van ’n skuld wat gegrond is op die Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act’, 2013, voor voorsiening gemaak, beweerde pleeg van— gedurende die tyd waarin die skuldeiser, vanweë sy of haar geestelike of (a) [’n beweerde seksuele misdryf, soos beoog in artikels 3, 4, 17, 18(2), 20(1), [psigologiese toestand] intellektuele gestremdheid, versteuring of onbevoegdheid, 23, 24(2), 26(1) en 71(1) of (2) van die Wysigingswet op die Strafreg of weens enige ander faktor wat die hof gepas ag, nie daartoe in staat is om (Seksuele Misdrywe en Verwante Aangeleenthede), 2007,] enige seksuele verrigtinge in te stel nie.’’. misdryf ingevolge die gemenereg of ’n wetsbepaling; en (b) misdrywe soos in artikels 4, 5, 6, 7 en 8(1) voor voorsiening gemaak en Wysiging van artikel 13 van Wet 68 van 1969, soos gewysig deur artikel 11 van Wet betrokkenheid by daardie misdrywe soos in artikel 10 van die ‘Prevention and 139 van 1992 Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act’, 2013, voor voorsiening gemaak, paragraaf (a) deur die volgende paragraaf te vervang: gedurende die tyd waarin die skuldeiser, vanweë sy of haar geestelike of - 2 Verify source ↗
Artikel 13 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur in subartikel (1)
AI-assisted research summary: This provision amends Article 13 of the Verjaringswet, 1969, by changing the wording in subarticle (1) about a person’s psychological condition, intellectual disability, disturbance, incapacity, or any other factor the court considers appropriate.
2. Artikel 13 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur in subartikel (1) [psigologiese toestand] intellektuele gestremdheid, versteuring of onbevoegdheid, of weens enige ander faktor wat die hof gepas ag, nie daartoe in staat is om ‘‘(a) die skuldeiser minderjarig of [kranksinnig] ’n persoon met ’n verstandelike verrigtinge in te stel nie.’’. of intellektuele gestremdheid, versteuring of onbevoegdheid is, of geraak word deur enige ander faktor wat die hof gepas ag ten opsigte van enige Wysiging van artikel 13 van Wet 68 van 1969, soos gewysig deur artikel 11 van Wet misdryf in artikel 12(4) bedoel, of ’n persoon onder kuratele is of deur 139 van 1992 - 2 Verify source ↗
Artikel 13 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur in subartikel (1)
AI-assisted research summary: This section amends article 13(1)(a) by replacing the paragraph with wording about a creditor who is a minor, has a mental or intellectual disability or incapacity, is affected by another factor the court considers appropriate, or is under curatorship.
2. Artikel 13 van die Verjaringswet, 1969, word hierby gewysig deur in subartikel (1) paragraaf (a) deur die volgende paragraaf te vervang: ‘‘(a) die skuldeiser minderjarig of [kranksinnig] ’n persoon met ’n verstandelike of intellektuele gestremdheid, versteuring of onbevoegdheid is, of geraak word deur enige ander faktor wat die hof gepas ag ten opsigte van enige misdryf in artikel 12(4) bedoel, of ’n persoon onder kuratele is of deur 10 5 15 10 20 15 25 20 25 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za - 4 Verify source ↗
No. 44034
AI-assisted research summary: This section amends another Act and refers to court discretion linked to certain offences, curatorship, and force preventing interruption of prescription.
4 No. 44034 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23 DECEMBER 2020 Act No. 15 of 2020 Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020 4 court deems appropriate with regard to any offence referred to in section 12(4), or is a person under curatorship or is prevented by superior force including any law or any order of court from interrupting the running of prescription as contemplated in section 15(1); or’’. Substitution of section 18 of Act 51 of 1977, as substituted by section 68 of Act 32 of 2007 and amended by section 48 of Act 7 of 2013 and section 8 of Act 8 of 2017 5 - 3 Verify source ↗
The following section is hereby substituted for section 18 of the Criminal
AI-assisted research summary: The right to start a prosecution usually lapses after 20 years from when the offence was committed, except for listed offences and where another law sets a different period.
3. The following section is hereby substituted for section 18 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977: ‘‘Prescription of right to institute prosecution 18. (1) The right to institute a prosecution for any offence, other than [the 10 offences of]— (a) murder; (b) (c) (d) (e) (eA) treason committed when the Republic is in a state of war; robbery, if aggravating circumstances were present; kidnapping; child-stealing; the— (i) (ii) offence referred to in section 1 of the Corruption Act, 1994 common law offence of bribery; (Act No. 92 of 1994); or (iii) offences referred to in Parts 1 to 4, or section 17, 20 or 21 (in so far as it relates to the aforementioned offences) of Chapter 2 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (Act No. 12 of 2004); (f) (g) (h) [rape or compelled rape as contemplated in section 3 or 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amend- ment Act, 2007, respectively] any sexual offence in terms of the common law or statute; genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as contemplated in section 4 of the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, 2002; any contravention of section 4, 5 or 7 and involvement in these offences as provided for in section 10 of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act No. 7 of 2013); [(hA) trafficking in persons for sexual purposes by a person as contemplated in section 71(1) or (2) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007; using a child or person who is mentally disabled for porno- graphic purposes as contemplated in sections 20(1) and 26(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007;] or torture as contemplated in section 4(1) and (2) of the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act, 2013 (Act No. 13 of 2013), (i) (j) shall, unless some other period is expressly provided for by law, lapse after the expiration of a period of 20 years from the time when the offence was committed. (2) The right to institute a prosecution that, in respect of any offence referred to in subsection (1)(eA) and (f), has lapsed before the commence- ment of the Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020, is hereby revived.’’. Short title - 4 Verify source ↗
This Act is called the Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences)
AI-assisted research summary: This provision states the Act’s short title: the Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020.
4. This Act is called the Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act, 2020. 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za Wysigingswet op Verjaring in Siviele en Strafregtelike Aangeleenthede (Seksuele Misdrywe), 2020 Wet No. 15 van 2020 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23 DECEMBER 2020 No. 44034 5 5 oormag, met inbegrip van ’n wetsbepaling of ’n hofbevel verhinder word om die loop van verjaring te stuit soos in artikel 15(1) bedoel; of’’. Vervanging van artikel 18 van Wet 51 van 1977, soos vervang deur artikel 68 van Wet 32 van 2007 en gewysig deur artikel 48 van Wet 7 van 2013 en artikel 8 van Wet 8 van 2017 5 - 3 Verify source ↗
Artikel 18 van die Strafproseswet, 1977, word hierby deur die volgende artikel
AI-assisted research summary: The right to start a prosecution for most offences ends after 20 years from when the offence was committed, unless another period is expressly provided by law.
3. Artikel 18 van die Strafproseswet, 1977, word hierby deur die volgende artikel vervang: ‘‘Verjaring van reg om vervolging in te stel 18. (1) Die reg om ’n vervolging in te stel vir ’n misdryf, behalwe [die hoogverraad gepleeg wanneer die Republiek in ’n staat van oorlog verkeer; roof, indien verswarende omstandighede teenwoordig was; misdrywe van]— (a) moord; (b) (c) (d) menseroof; (e) (eA) die— kinderdiefstal; (i) gemeneregmisdryf van omkopery; (ii) misdryf in artikel 1 van die Wet op Korrupsie, 1994 (Wet No. 92 van 1994), bedoel; of (f) (iii) misdrywe in Dele 1 tot 4, of artikel 17, 20 of 21 bedoel (vir sover dit met die bogenoemde misdrywe verband hou) van Hoofstuk 2 van die Wet op Voorkoming en Bekamping van Korrupte Bedrywighede, 2004 (Wet No. 12 van 2004); [verkragting of gedwonge verkragting soos onderskeidelik beoog in artikel 3 of 4 van die Wysigingswet op die Strafreg (Seksuele Misdrywe en Verwante Aangeleenthede), 2007] enige seksuele misdryf ingevolge die gemenereg of ’n wetsbepaling; (g) volksmoord, misdade teen die mensdom en oorlogsmisdade, soos beoog in artikel 4 van die Wet op die Implementering van die Statuut van Rome oor die Internasionale Strafhof, 2002; (h) enige oortreding van artikel 4, 5 of 7 en betrokkenheid by hierdie misdrywe soos voor voorsiening gemaak in artikel 10 van die ‘Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act’, 2013 (Wet No. 7 van 2013); [(hA) mensehandel vir seksuele doeleindes deur iemand soos in artikel 71(1) of (2) van die Wysigingswet op die Strafreg (Seksuele Misdrywe en Verwante Aangeleenthede), 2007, beoog; (i) die gebruik van ’n kind of ’n persoon wat verstandelik gestremd is vir pornografiese doeleindes soos beoog in artikels 20 (1) en 26 (1) van die Wysigingswet op die Strafreg (Seksuele Misdrywe en Verwante Aangeleenthede), 2007;] of (j) marteling soos beoog in artikel 4(1) en (2) van die ‘Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Act’, 2013 (Wet No. 13 van 2013), verval by verstryking van ’n tydperk van 20 jaar vanaf die tyd toe die misdryf gepleeg is, tensy ’n ander tydperk regtens uitdruklik daarvoor bepaal word. (2) Die reg om ’n vervolging in te stel wat, ten opsigte van enige misdryf bedoel in subartikel (1)(eA) en (f), voor die inwerkingtreding van die Wysigingswet op Verjaring in Siviele en Strafregtelike Aangeleenthede (Seksuele Misdrywe), 2020, verstryk het, herleef hierby.’’. Kort titel - 4 Verify source ↗
Hierdie Wet heet die Wysigingswet op Verjaring in Siviele en Strafregtelike
AI-assisted research summary: This section states the Act’s short title.
4. Hierdie Wet heet die Wysigingswet op Verjaring in Siviele en Strafregtelike Aangeleenthede (Seksuele Misdrywe), 2020. 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 This gazette is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za
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Prescription in Civil and Criminal Matters (Sexual_Offences) Amendment Act
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