The Genesis of the Common Purpose Doctrine in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a16385Keywords:
common purpose, socius criminis, criminal liability for participationAbstract
This contribution seeks to assess whether the generally accepted narrative of the emergence of the common purpose doctrine in South African law, as set out in Rabie's analysis of the doctrine, is indeed correct. In particular the following questions are examined: (i) Did the common purpose doctrine derive from English roots? (ii) Were the means of entry into South African law the Native Territories Penal Code? (iii) Did the doctrine indeed emerge in South African case law in 1917, in the Appellate Division case of McKenzie v Van der Merwe?
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Literature
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Legislation
Black High Court Abolition Act 13 of 1954
Courts Act 49 of 1898 (N)
Native Territories Penal Code, Act 24 of 1886 (C)
Extended Jurisdiction of Native High Court Act 30 of 1910 (N)
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Copyright (c) 2023 Shannon Hoctor
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