Does Mistaken Belief in Consent Constitute a Defence in South African Rape Cases?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15002

Keywords:

consent, intention, mistaken in belief, rape, reasonable belief in consent

Abstract

In the 2020 case of Coko v S 2022 1 SACR 24 (ECG), the Eastern Cape High Court held that a person's mistaken belief in consent to penetrative sex could constitute a valid defence in law. In statutory provisions and jurisprudence, the absence of the victim's consent is fundamental in establishing a case of rape. This paper evaluates the decision, where it was held that when an appellant reasonably believes that the complainant/victim had consented to sex, this alone could be enough to acquit the appellant of the charge of rape.

 

 

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Author Biography

  • Serone Stal, Fort-Hare University

     Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Fort Hare University

References

Bibliography

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Published

05-06-2023

Issue

Section

Case Notes

How to Cite

Stal, S. (2023). Does Mistaken Belief in Consent Constitute a Defence in South African Rape Cases?. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 26, (Published on 5 June 2023) pp 1 - 20. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15002

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