How long is a life sentence in South Africa?
Spending a lifetime behind bars is arguably traumatising and profoundly frightening to those facing the law.
Different factors come into play when sentencing offenders for life, including the nature of criminal cases.
Hands of a prisoner on prison bars. Photo: HiobSource: Getty Images
But that is not all.
Some recent cases review will help you understand factors determining the length of a life sentence in SA.
What is a life sentence in South Africa?
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A quick guide
How long is a life sentence in South Africa?
Instead, judges consider the relevant personal circumstances surrounding the case, considering that the offenders are also humans.
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South African life imprisonment has anundetermined length, which may last as long as the offenders remaining life.
Other circumstances that can attract a mandatory life sentence include hijacking and robberies.
Section 51 of theCriminal Law Amendment Actof 1997 provides the following varying sentencing options in South Africa.
A young woman looking serious and desperate behind bars. Photo: valentinrussanovSource: Getty Images
The best way to learn more about this is to analyse certain outspoken cases.
Some exceptional cases attract life imprisonment extending to long periods of 1,000 years with no possibility of parole.
Moses Sithole case is a perfect example of a ruling that gives no room for pardon.
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The North West High Court imposed the sentence.
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According to court records, he broke into a house with the intent of committing a crime.
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While inside, Mosimanegape Moleta raped Goitseone Ramakepe and choked her to death.
He also robbed the lady R40.
He was caught with two unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
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These sentences would run concurrently with the life sentence he was also given.
The chillingtrial shockedSouth Africa as her motivation for murder was revealed in court.
Also, another hired killer couldn’t go through killing Rosemary’s elderly mother.
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3.
Donovan Moodley case
TheDonovan Moodley caserecently came into the limelight because of a possible parole hearing.
Donovan was convicted to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years for kidnapping and 10 years for extortion.
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Tshegofatso was discovered murdered and hanging from a tree in 2020.
As a result, the trial was postponed to January 2022.
As aforementioned, South African trial courts are responsible for sentencing criminal offenders.
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Of interest also are mitigating and aggravating factors.
It is also essential to the courts regarding if the offender has dependents.
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Mosimanegape Moletas case cites that he didn’t respect women and repeated the same offence multiple times.
Such circumstances inform the judge’s opinion when giving a sentence.
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Sometimes, increased punishment aims to teach the public without necessarily implying the proportion of crime.
However, the social and economic costs accompanying long incarcerations are significant before arriving at a verdict.
Parties that believe that the decision was disproportionate can always appeal for remedies.
Questions on minimum sentences for ordinary crimes remain unanswered for most parts.
Another cause of interest is the unpredictability of the law contrary to public expectations.
One of the most popular mafia bosses, Al Capone, was renowned for his viciousness when handling enemies.
But, unfortunately, others took over his reputation and continued with his legacy.
Source: Briefly News
Jedidah TabaliaJedi is a journalist with over 5 years working experience in the media industry.
She has a BSc.
She loves traveling and checking out new restaurants.
She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019.
The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course.
you might email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
