The Genesis of the Common Purpose Doctrine in South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a16385

Keywords:

common purpose, socius criminis, criminal liability for participation

Abstract

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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Author Biography

  • Shannon Hoctor , Stellenbosch University South Africa

     Professor, Department of Public Law, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

References

Bibliography

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Case law

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Godfrey v Campbell 1997 1 SA 570 (C)

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R v Harrington 1851 5 Cox CC 231

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R v Laubscher 1913 CPD 123

R v Littlejohn 1912 TPD 781

R v Longone 1938 AD 372

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R v Macklin, Murphy & Others 1838 2 Lewin 225, 168 ER 1136

R v Mapolisa 1965 1 All SA 533 (PC)

R v Mjoji 1912 AD 4

R v Mkize 1946 AD 197

R v Mlooi 1925 AD 131

R v Morela 1947 3 SA 147 (A)

R v Mpeta 1912 AD 568

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S v Mgedezi 1989 1 SA 687 (A)

S v Mzwempi 2011 2 SACR 237 (ECM)

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S v Safatsa 1988 1 SA 868 (A)

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S v Tshabalala 2020 2 SACR 38 (CC)

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Steenkamp v Kyd 1898 15 SC 221

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)

Published

23-11-2023

Issue

Section

Special Edition: Legal History

How to Cite

Hoctor, S. (2023). The Genesis of the Common Purpose Doctrine in South Africa. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 26, (Published on 23 November 2023) pp 1 - 29. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a16385

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