Study Notes-Ios 2

Unit1:Introductionmiscellaneous
Botha:bodyofrule&principlesusedtoconstructthecorrectmeaningoflegislativeprovisionstobeappliedin
apracticalsituationNotmechanical.
DuPlessis:statutory&constitutionalinterpretationisconstructingenactlawstextwithreference&reliance
onotherlawtextinconcertsituations.
Unisa:statutoryinterpretationisstudyingtherule,principlethatisusedtoconstructandjustifythemeaning
oflegislativeprovisionwhenappliedinapracticalsituation.
Interpretationnotjustreadingnotmechanical
Cantbeputintocategoriesnotrulebound:
Circumstances&factsaredifferentineachcase
Interpretationhasnotclearandpredictablepattern
Languagedifficultandobscure
Lawisnotobjective,neutral,valuefee
Interpretersallinterpretdifferentlydependingonpreunderstanding,history,backgroundandexperience.
Spritandaimoffundamentalrightstobepromotedduringinterpretationofalllegislation.
NewConstitutionalOrder:
70&80rule,principlesofstatuteinterpretationwascritized
Traditionally:(old)unnecessary,confusingmaxims,uncertainprinciples
goldenruleandoverridingprinciplescalledprimary,secondaryandtertiaryrulesofRDL=misconceptions
onstructureandmeaningoflanguage
Basedonsovereigntyparliament
New:fundamentalrightbasedonsupremeconstitution
Devenishnewconstitutionaldemocracydeceasedapartheidandnewpolitical&legalorderthe
influencedthenewconstitution
Billofrightsinlinewithspritoftheconstitution
93:operation27April04=Constitutionalimplications,politicalramificationandchangedinterpretationof
statuesParliamentarysovereigntyreplacedwithconstitutionalsupremacyCourtcantignorevaluejudgments
96:cameintooperation4Feb97principlesof93constitutionskept
6provisions:Sec1foundationalprovision,Sec2SupremacyoftheConstitution,Sec7Obligationclause,
Sec8Applicationclause,Sec36limitationclause, Sec39Interpretationclause
GlossaryofTerms:
Actparliamentarystatuteorprovinciallegislature
actconductofgovernmentofficialororganofstate
Concretisationlastphaseofinterpretationprocess=text,purpose,situationharmonisedtogeta
meaningfulconclusion
Constitutionalismgovgetspowersfrom+boundtotheconstitution,lawissupreme,gov&stat
authorisedareboundbytheruleoflaw
ConstitutionalStatestatewheretheconstitutionissupreme
a. Formalseparationofpowersandlegality
b. Materialjustice&equalityvalues
Contextsituationwheresomethinghappens
Contextualisationlegislationisread,researchedtounderstandthepurpose
Entrenchedprovisioninconstitutionthatcanonlybealtered/amendedorrepealedwithdifficulty(2/3)
Intravireswhengovactswithinscopeofpowersconferred
Judiciallawmakingprimaryisapplications,secondarydevelopmentofcommonlawtomodernsituations
Jurisdictioncourtcompetencyinparticularcourttohearthematterdependson:.Geographicalareaand
typesofcasescriminalforsentencingandcivilforclaims
InterpretationofStatuesIOS2601FirstSemester2011
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Lawcommonlaw,statutelaw,customarylawandcaselaw
Writtenstatueenactbylegislativebodieswhohaveauthoritytomakerules
a. LegislationenactedlegislationAct,provinciallegislation,municipalbylaws,proclamationsand
regulations
b. CommonlawnotoriginallywrittenbutacceptedSAcommonlawisRDL
c. CustomaryLawtraditionallawofindigenousblackpeopleinSAunwrittenorcodifications
d. CaseLawjudicialprecedent,lawdecidedbyvariouscourtsstatedecisisi.
Legalitylawfulness
Legislatureelectedboywhohadlegalpowertoenactlawscalledlegislation
LocusStandiallowtobeincourtwhobeheard.
ParliamentarySovereigntyparliamentissupreme,enactanylaw
Proclamationsubordinatelegislation
Promulgationlegislationismadeknowtothepublicbypromulgationandcomesintooperationwhen
publishedingovernmentgazette.
Purposepointoraimofthelegislation
Supremeconstitutionconstitutionsthehighestlawparliamentstillhighestlegislativebody|any
legislationoractofparliamentinconflictisinvalid|courtssubjecttoconstitution|replacedparliamentary
sovereigntyon27April1994
TestingLegislationcalledjudicialreview,iflegislationisallegedtobeinconflictwithconstitutiontested
bycourt|measuringlegislationagainsttheconstitutiontoseeifvalidorinvalid.
TextualApproachSimplemeaning
Ultraviresact/conductofgovthegoesbeyondthepowersconferredtoit.
Botha:statutoryinterpretationisboththeprocessandactivityofinterpretingstatuesandthelawthat
regulatesthewaysstatuesareinterpreted.
Unisa:statutoryinterpretationasasubjectstudiesbodyofrulesandprinciplesthatareusedtoconductand
justifythemeaningoflegislativeprovisionswhentheyareappliedinpracticalsituations
Soccer/cookingcanuplaysoccerbystudyingtheofficialfifarulebook.Thegameofsoccerisnotthesame
astherulesofsoccer.
InterpretationSteps
1. Readthetext
2. ReadthetextincontextofActasawhole
3. ConsidertextinlightofBillofRights
4. Presumptionstobekeptinmind
5. Makeuseofintratextualaids
6. Makeuseofextratextualaids
7. Useallabovetofindpurposeandaimoflegislation
8. Comparepurposewithactualtext
9. LookatanswerinlinewiththeConstitution
10. Applysituationathand
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Unit2Whatislegislation
B4interpretLegislation:
Isthelegislationinforce?
Whenitcameintoforce
Hasitbeenamendedorrepealed
Studylegislativeprocessfrompromulgationtorepeal.
writtenlawenactedbyabody/personauthorisedtodosobytheconstitution
1of3formalsourcesoflaw
Rules,principlesofinterpretationapplytolegislation
DuPlessisenactedlawtext
InterpretationAct33of1957Sec2differenttypesoflegislation,Acts,ordinances,proclamations,bylaws,
regulations,rulesandanyotherenactmentswithforceoflawSection1and2
Constitutionreferstoproclamations,regulationandsubordinatelegislation
Sec101(3)Proclamations,regulations&othersubordinatelegislationmustbeaccessibletothepublic.
Sec140(3)Proclamations,regulations&othersubordinatelegislationmustbeaccessibletothepublic.
Categoriesoflegislation:(chronological,hierarchicalanddelegated)
Chronological/HistoricalCategories:
Existinglegislationcategoriseaccordingtotheirhistoricalorigins
Chronologicaltimeline:
1. Legislationbefore1806Dutchlawseenascommonlawnoformalprocedures
2. Oldorderlegislation(schedule6of96Conaslegislationenactedbeforeinterimconstitution)
a. Preunionlegislation(18061910)legislationbetweenBritishannexationoftheCapein1806andthe
unionin1910.Britishcolonies&BoerRepublicincorporatedinUnionandRepublicorRepealed.
b. LegislationbetweenUnionandDemocraticera(19101994)=oldorderlegislation.MostexistingSA
Legislationbetween1983and1994.
3. LegislationinnewConstitutionalerasince1994alllegislationenactedafterthestartotheconstitutional
democracyin194,includedinterimconstitution(repealed).96Constitution,nationallegislations,provincial
legislation,regulation,proclamations.
HierarchicalCategories:
Dealswithstatusoflegislation
Before94Constitutionwasnotsupreme;theclassificationoflegislationwassimpleandstraightforward
originallegislation,subordinatelegislation(regs&proclamations)
After94:newsupremeconstitution,olderorderlegislationandnew94legislation&3levelsofcooperative
government(national,provincialandlocal)
Constitutionsupreme,allotherlegislationissubordinate
DuPlessis:differentbetweenhierarchyandstatusoflegislation.
a. Constitution
Supremelawofrepublicandanylaw/conductinconsistenceisinvalid
Obligationsmustbefulfilledsec2
Courtscantestlegislation
CalledconstitutionofRepublicofSouthAfricaAct108of1996
VanWyk&DuPlessisdontagreewiththenumberoftheact,asordinaryActsofparliamentare
numberedchronologicallybuttheConstitutionismorethanjustanAct.
ConstitutionisnotandActasitwasntadoptedbyParliament,butdraftedbyaConstitutionalAssembly
andcertifiedbytheConstitutionalCourt.
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b. OriginalLegislation(6)KnowdiffbetweenthisandDelegated
formscompleteandcomprehensivelegislativecapacitytoelectlegislativebody
AssignedbyanotherActofparliament/Constitution
1. ActsofParliament
Allactssince1910
19101983:ParliamentconsistedofHouseofAssemblyandsenate
19831994:ParliamentconsistedofHouseofAssembly,HouseofRepresentative,Houseof
delegates,Presidentcouncil
1994:ParliamentconsistedofNationAssembly+NationalCouncilofprovinces
LegislativeauthorofcurrentparliamentistheConstitutionSection43(a)and44
ParliamenthighestlegislativebodyinSAsubjecttotheconstitution
Someactsofparliamenthaveahigherstatusthanotherlegislation(PAIA)andwerecreatedtogive
effecttospecifichumanrightsbytheconstitutionsec9,32and33.PAIAsec5saysitprevails
overanyotherlawinthatareaoflaw.
2. NewProvisionalActfrom1994onwards
Legislationenactedby9newprovinciallegislatures
Powerstomakelegislationfromconstitutionoractsofparliament
CourtshadpowertoreviewActitoBillofrights
3. ProvincialOrdinances(19611986)
ProvincialGovernmentActof32of19614formerprovincialcouncilstoenactprovincialordinances
onmatterwithintheirpowers
CouncilsabolishedinJuly1986byProvincialGovernmentAct69of1986ordinancesonlyapplyin
geographicalarea
4. Legislationofformerhomelands
Selfgoverningterritorieshasconcurrentlegislativepowerwithcentralgovernment
Repealednowbutweregrantedcompletelegislativecapacitytospecificmattersotheycould
amend,repealparliamentarylegislation
Poweroverhealth,welfare,educationandagriculturenotdefence,foreignmatters.
Nopoweroverdefence,foreignmatterandselfgoverning
5. LegislationofformerTBVCStates
Transkei,Botswana,Venda,CiskeinotpartofSAlegislature
ValidpartofSAlawasstatesarenowincorporatedintotheRepublic
6. MunicipalLegislation
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Powersandfunctionsofmunicipalities
(1)Amunicipalityhasexecutiveauthorityandtherighttoadminister
(a)localgovernmentmatterslistedinPartBofSchedule4andPartBofSchedule5;and
(b)anyothermatterassignedbynationalorprovinciallegislation.
(2)makeandadministerbylawsforadministrationofthematterswhichithastherighttoadminister.
(3)Subjecttosection151(4),abylawthatconflictswithnationalorprovinciallegislationisinvalid.
Canenactbylawsinlightoflocalgovernmentmattersfortheirareas
FedelLifeInsuranceVSGreaterJHBmetropolitanCouncil
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c.
DeletedLegislation(3)KnowdiffbetweenthisandOriginal
AddsfleshtoActsandotherformsoflegislationdraftedbutnotcompletedbecauselegislativebodies
notabletodealwithchangingsocietydelegatepowertootherbodiesortribunals
Bodies/tribunalsthanhavedelegatedauthoritytoenablethatlegislationcalledlegislative
administrativeactsorsecondary/subordinatelegislation
ConstitutionSection101,140,129refertosubordinatelaw
Canonlybedonewithintheframeworkdelegatedcantamendorrepeal
1. ExistingProvincialproclamations&regs(19681944)
Beforeprovincialcouncilsabolished,someordinanceallowedcommitteestoissueregulationsand
proclamations
ProvincialGovernmentAct68abolishedcouncils&theirlegislativecompetency
LegislativeAuthoritymovedtotheadministratorofeachprovince
Administercouldenact,amendorrepealprovinciallegislationbyproclamationorregsunderanew
parliamentActorproclamation
Resultedinoldprovinciallegislationbeingoriginalanddelegatesneedtobereadtougher.
2. NewProvisionalproclamations&regs(1994)
EmpoweredfunctionarieslikePremier,ProvincialCabinettoaddfleshtoprovincialActsthrough
proclamationsorregulationshavetometlimitsoftheenablingact
3. Otherproclamations&regulations
Constitution,ActofParliamentorprovincecanconferdelegatespowerstocertainbodiesfor
example:
E.g.1sec8ofDefenceActpresidentauthorisedsubjectto203constitutiontodeclarestateof
nationaldefencebyproclamation
E.g.2Ministerauthorisetopromulgateregulationssection75NationalRoadTrafficactwhich
allowstheministertoissuesregulationsdealingwiththeuseofavehicleonapublicroad.
E.g.3HighereducationActministertoissuestatueforuniversitydealingwithgeneral
management
Newconstitutionalorder:
Sec229interimconstitutionsallexistinglegislationisinforceuntilrepealedoramended
Item2ofschedule6oftheConstitutionalllawinforcewhenconstitutiontookeffectisstillinforce
unlessamendedorrepealed
Oldorderlegislationstillinforce
Newprovincehasownprovinciallegislature
Apartheidblacklocalauthoritiescontrolledbygeneralaffairslegistion,whilewhiteIndianandcoloured
hasownaffaireslegislation.
LawofgeneralapplicationSection36limitationclauselimitsfundamentalrightsofalllegislation
original,delegated,commonlawandindigenouslaw.
NotLegislation:
Writtenenactedbyabody/personwithauthority
LegislationmustbepublishedinGazettebeforeittakeseffect
Noteverythingpublishedislegislation
Notlegislationlegalnotices,reports,draftbills
Policydocumentsgreenandwhitepapersarepublishedforpubliccomment
Beforecalledlegislationmustcomplytoconstitutionandotherlegislation
UnwrittencodifiedlawcommonlawandindigenousarenotlegislationbutformalsourcesofSALaw
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StructureofLegislation:
LongTitle:Shortysummaryofsubjectmatterpartofstatute&consideredbythelegislatorduring
interpretationprocesstodeterminpurpose.
Preamble:notalwaysinActmainlyforconstitutional/nationalNBbackground,reasonforlegislation
afterlongtitle
EnactingProvision:acknowledgesauthorityofthebodyenactingit|
Sec43constitutions:nationallegislativeauthorityisvestedinparliament,provinciallegislativeauthorityis
vestinprovinciallegislature,andlegislatureoflocalauthoritiesisvestedinmunicipalcouncils.
Definitions:internaldictionaryatbeginningofAct
Purpose&Interpretation:includepost1994
Repeal/amendmentlegislation:donebyamendmentsact,newactpasses,someotheractsmayneedto
beamended/repealednormallyinscheduleatendofact
ShortTile&Commencement:lastsection.
NocommencementdateoperationdatepublishedinGG
GiveCommencementdategivedateinshorttitle
UnknownCommencementdateoperationondatetobefixedbypresident
Schedules:shorten/simplifylegislationrepealedoramendments
#Legislation:Sec1,subsec(1),paragraph(a),subpara(i),item(AA),subitem(AA)=1(1)(a)(i)(AA)(AA)
Addingonamendmentsbetween66and6766A
Oldlegislationcalledbis,ter,quot
Amendments:PublishedinGG
Explanatorynote[]wordsinboldaredeletedwhile_____wordsareinsertedin
Amended:[s1amendedbysection1ofAct45of1961]
Definition1stamendedthensubstitutedthendeleted:administrator[Definitionofadministerwas
amendedbysection2ofAct45of1961,thensubstitutedbysection22ofAct201of1986andthendeleted
bysection4ofAct201of1993]
Paragraph:addeddontneednewnumber[Para.(c)addedbysection2ofAct201of1993]
Sectionamendedthenrepealedinfull:9...Section9substitutedbysection3ofAct45of1961and
repealedbysection344(1)ofAct51of1977]
NewSectioninsertedbetweentwosections[S.16Ainsertedbysection17]
Legislation&CommonLaw:
Sec2inconstitutiontoConstitutioninvalid
Sec39(2)courttopromotesprit,purport&objectivesofBillofRightswhendevelopcommonlaw
Before94courtsusedcommonlawrulesforinterpreting
After94commonlawoverrulesbylegislationandConstitution
Interpretersrelyoncommonlawmaxims&presumptionsaslongastheydontconflictwiththe
constitution
Preliminaryassumptions=commonlawpresumptionsoninterpretationbeforetheconstitutioncouldbe
referredtoastherebuttablecommonlawbillofrights
Presumptionsfundamentallychangedbythenewconstitution
Fundamentalrightscan'tbeoverturnedbylegislatureatwillbecausetheyareentrenchedinthe
constitution.
Presumptionthatlegislationonlyapplytothefuture
PresumptionsapplyifconsistentwiththeConstitution/constitutionallyjustified
PresumptionareonfuturemattersBillofRightsSec35(3)(i)and35(3)(n)
a. General
Presumedtoregulatefuturemattersunlessexpresslyorbynecessaryimplication
Basedonpreventingunfairresults
CurtisVSJHBMunicipalityPresumetoapplytofuturesovestedrightsarenottakenawaypresumedto
comeinaftertheactisinoperation
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b.
ExpressRetrospectiveapplication
Provideexpresslyithasretrospective(forwardlooking)force
Sec33(3)(i)nonewoffencecantbecreatedretrospectively
Sec33(3)(n)accusedhasrighttobenefitofleastserverpunishments,ifpunishmentshavebeenchanged
betweentimeofoffenceandsentencing.
Offencescantbecreatedandpunishmentnotincrease
Presumptionwillapplyasinthepastexceptforcreatingofoffencesandincreasepunishment
Courtstotestretrospectivelegislationagainstbillofrights
c. Retrospectivelybynecessaryimplication
Presumptioncanberebuttediflegislatureintendedthelegislationtohaveretrospectivebynecessary
implications.
Ifabsurd/unfairresultscantberetrospective
Presumptionthatlegislationdoesnotintendtochangetheexistinglawmorethanisnecessary
Legislationshouldbeinterpretedinawaythatitsinagreementwithexistinglaw(legislation,commonlaw,
customarylawandpubicinternationallaw)
Newlegislationthatrepealsorchangesexistingcommonlawmustdosoclearly.
CommonLaw
Presumptionshowsarespectandesteemforourcommonlawheritage
Legislatureisfreetochangethecommonlawaslongasleavesnodoubtthatthenewlegislationhas
replacedtheoldcommonlaw.
Plainlanguage:
JABothinSantamInsuranceVSTaylorno1canunderstand
Alllegaldocstobewrittenclearlyandcomprehensively
Draftedinwayallreadersknowwhatisexpected
Good/ordinarilylanguage
Plainlanguewillincreaselegalcertainly
Rulestobeabidedbyneedtobeunderstood
Shortersentences,betterstructuredparagraphs.
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Unit3CommencementofLegislation
Adoption&Promulgation
Adoptionistheprocess/readingthatlegislationhastobepassesbeforeitwasacceptedbythelegislativebody
Notlaw
ParliamentpassedBill,ActtobesignedbyPresident
ProvincialLegislaturepassed,ActtobesignedbyPremierofProvinces
OncesingedbyeitherPresidentorPremierofProvinces=officiallylaw
Promulgationfollowsadoption,ameansofmakinglegislationknowntopeople.Usallycomesintooperation
ondatesitspromulgatedmeaningpublishedintheGG(dateofcommencement)
Proclamationacategoryofsubordinatelegislation
RequirementofPublication
Sec13ofInterpretationAct33of1957legislationisinoperationoncepublishedinGG
Sec81&123ConstitutionActsofParliamentorProvincialActsareineffectwhenpublishedorondate
determinedintheAct
Sec162ConstitutionmunicipalbylawsenforcedafterpublishedinGazetteofthatprovince
MustbepublishedinGGorProvincialGazette
Doesntcommentbeforepublication
ProblemRemoteareaswhogetgazettelate=16AInterpretationacthavealternativeproceduresfor
promulgation
CommencementofLegislation
Commencementdaythelawcomesintooperation
Lawproclamations,ordinance,Act,delegateslegislationorenactmenthavingforce
DelegatedLegislationmustbepublishedinGazetteandtabledinparliament
NewLegislationregulationsmadeneedtobegiventoparliamentforpublication.
Operationoneofthreetimes:PublishedinGG,DatespecifiedinStatuteorFixedDatetobeproclaimed,
signedbyPresident.
13 Commencementoflaws
(1)CommencementisonthedayitgetspublishedintheGazette,unlesslegislationprovidesanotherdate.
(anotherdatecouldbeforthewholeactorjustsomesectionsoftheact)
(2)Commencementdaybeginsatmidnightinoperation@endofthepreviousdaydatespecifiedinstatute
(3)AdatefixedbythePresidentorthePremierofaprovincemeansActwillcommenceatalaterdatestobe
proclaimeditcanbedifferentdatesfordifferentprovisionsofthatAct.(signedbythePresident)
Presumptionthatlegislationonlyapplytothefuture
PresumptionsapplyifconsistentwiththeConstitution/constitutionallyjustified
PresumptionareonfuturemattersBillofRightsSec35(3)(i)and35(3)(n)
General
Presumedtoregulatefuturemattersunlessexpresslyorbynecessaryimplication
Basedonpreventingunfairresults
CurtisVSJHBMunicipalityPresumetoapplytofuturesovestedrightsarenottakenawaypresumedto
comeinaftertheactisinoperation
ExpressRetrospectiveapplication
Provideexpresslyithasretrospective(forwardlooking)force
Sec33(3)(i)nonewoffencecantbecreatedretrospectively
Sec33(3)(n)accusedhasrighttobenefitofleastserverpunishments,ifpunishmentshavebeen
changedbetweentimeofoffenceandsentencing.
Offencescantbecreatedandpunishmentnotincrease
Presumptionwillapplyasinthepastexceptforcreatingofoffencesandincreasepunishment
Courtstotestretrospectivelegislationagainstbillofrights
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Retrospectivelybynecessaryimplication
Presumptioncanberebuttediflegislatureintendedthelegislationtohaveretrospectivebynecessary
implications.
Ifabsurd/unfairresultscantberetrospective
C1.Enactmentdealswithprocedure
Presumptionretrospectivelegislationwontapplyifitdealswithprocedure
Newrules2procedureapplytofuturecases
Newactisretrospectivebecausethenewproceduralrulesapply
Rulesofproceduredonteffectvestedrights
C2.Retrospectivelyfavourstheindividual
Ifbenefitstheindividualitspresumednottoapplytoavoidanunfairresult
C3.Retrospectivelydoesntbenefittheindividual
Amendmentactplaceindividualinaworseposition,thepresumptionwillapply
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Unit4DemiseandAmendmentoflegislation
Legislationtoberepealedbyacompetentbodyordeclaredinvalidbyacourt
B494parliamentsovereign,courtscouldntinvalidatedlegislationthatdidntcomplywithcommonrules
After94courtstestlegislationagainstthesupremeconstitution
Legislationinforcewhencctookeffect,stillinforceuntilamended/repealedordeclaredunconstitutional
KhulumaniSupportGroupclaimeddamagesfrommultinationalcorporations,crimeagainsthumanity
duringapartheid,usedAlienTortsClaimsAct,notusedfor200yearsdismissedcauselinkbetween
normalbusactivitiesandsufferingcausedbyapartheidwasnotestablishedappealtostillbeheard.
ChangestoLegislation(3)
Alllegislationinforceuntilamended/repealed/amended/declaredunconstitutionalbytheCC
1. AmendmentofLegislationeitherbylegislatureorConstitutionalCourt
ChangeoramendexistinglegislationnewAct
Reformatewholeactoradoptagenerallawsamendmentactformanyacts
AmendedbyacompetentlegislatureorConstitutionalCourt
ParliamentcanamendanActofparliament
Provinciallegislaturecanamendprovincialordinancesandprovincialacts
SpecificlegislationwillbeamendedbyaspecificamendinglegislationBirths&Deaths=Birth&deaths
amendmentAct
2. ModificativeInterpretation
Bothamodificationofwordsthathaveabsurdresultsordontservethepurposecourtschangedthe
initialmeaningtoavoidtheabsurdresults=itslegitimateandnecessaryexerciseofjudicialpower.
BothaCCcandeclareawholepiecesoflegislationorawholeactunconstitutionalbuttotrykeepthe
legislationinforceasmustaspossiblebyReadingInorSeverance
Courtscanchangelegislationormodifymeaning
Doctrineofseparationofpowersthevariouslegislaturecreatelegislation,courtsinterpretthelegislation
anddispensejustice
Readingdown/ReadingIn/Severance
Courtdeclarelegislationunconstitutional/invalidatesitcantbeappliedanymore
Courtsshouldtrymodifyoradaptthelegislationtokeepitconstitutional
Sec35(2)and232(2)ofinterimconstitutioniflegislationonthefaceofitisunconstitutionalbutcan
haveamorereasonableinterpretationtomakeitconstitutional=readingdown
Readingindrasticremedyusedbythecourtstochangelegislationtokeepitconstitutional
Severancecourtcanreadsomethingintorescuetheprovisiontokeeptherestconstitutional
NationalCoalitionforgayandlesbianEqualityVSMinisterofHomeAffairs2000
Facts
Constitutionalityofsection25(5)ofAlienControlActallowsthespouseorchildofapersonwith
permanentresidencetoimmigratetoSAtojointheirspouseorchildgay&lesbianswerenotallowedto
usethissectionunfairdiscriminationCCstruckdownthesection25(5)andreadinginwasusedafterthe
wordspousethiswasaddedorpartnerinpermanentsamesexlifepartnership
FindingofCCconsideredandfollowedbeforereadinginisapplied:
ReadinginmustbeconsistentwiththeConstitution
Resultsofreadinginmusthavelittleinterferencewithexistinglawsaspossible
CourtmustbeabletodefinehowthemeaningshouldbemodifiedtocomplywiththeConstitution
Courtmusttrykeeptotheaim&purposeoftheact
Readingincantbeusedifwillresultinunsupportablebudgetaryintrusion
Judgement
ItwasheldthattheconstitutionaldefectinSection25(5)canbecuredwithsufficientprecisionbyreadingin
afterthewordspousethefollowingwords:orpartner,inapermanentsamesexlifepartnershipandthatit
shouldindeedbecuredinthismanner.
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3. Modificationoflegislativemeaningduringinterpretation
Courtscanunderexceptionalcircumstancesmodify(change/adapt)theinitialmeaningofthelegislativetext
toensureitreflectsthepurposeandobjectivesofthatparticularlegislation.
InvalidationofLegislation(2)
1. UnconstitutionalProvisions
Delegatedlegislationcanbedeclaredinvalidbecauseitdoesnotcomplywiththerequirementsof
administrativelaw
sec172HC,SCAorCCcandeclarelegislationunconstitutional
Declaredwithimmediateeffectorsuspendedtogivelegislaturetimetocorrectthedefect
IfActofparliamentdeclaredunconstitutionalbyHC,SCAitmustbeconfirmedbytheCC
LocalGovlegislationanddelegatedlegislationcanbedeclaredunconstitutionalbytheHCandSCAand
doesnotneedtobeconfirmedtheCC
EnablingActdeclaredunconstitutionalthedelegatedlegistionwillalsonotexistanymoreunlesscourt
ordersotherwise.
2. Invaliddelegatedlegislation
DelegatedlegislationcantberepealedbutONLYinvalidatedbyacourt
Repealedandsubstitution
Sec11ofInterpretationActrepealswhollyorpartiallyanyformerlawandsubstitutesprovisionsforthelaw
repealed,therepealedlawremainsinforceuntilthesubstitutedprovisionscameineffect.
SVSKoopman1991AccusedfoundguiltyinMCforcontraventionoftheRoadTrafficActreceivedafineand
asuspendeddriverslicenceonreviewitwasquestionedifitwasvalid,astheRoadTrafficOrdinancehad
beenrepealedbytheRoadTrafficActandtheprovisionsofsuspendingalicencehadnotcomeintoeffectyet.
Sec11heldthatitwasstillinforce
EffectofRepeal
12
Effectofrepealofalaw(IA)
(1)Wherealawrepealsandreenactswithorwithoutmodifications,anyformerlaw,referencestoanyother
lawshall,unlessthecontraryintentionappears,beconstruedasreferencestotheprovisionsoreenacted.
IfprovisionXisrepealedandreenactedasYallreferencestoXmustbeconstructedasreferencestoY
Everythingdone,achievedorbeganbeforeanActwasrepealedremainsinplaceasiftheActwasstillinforce.
(2)Wherealawrepealsanyotherlaw,unlessthecontraryintentionappears,therepealshallnot
Transitionalprovisionallcasespendingwhen96Constitutiontookeffectmustbefinisheditotherepealed
InterimConstitution
(a)
Restoreanythingnotinforceorexistingatthetimeatwhichtherepealtakeseffect;or
(b)
affecttheprevioussectionsofanylaw;anythingdonebeforethelegislationisrepealedremainsvalid
andinforceaftertherepeal(exceptforproclamations,regulationsandbylaws)
(c)
affectanyright,privilege,obligationorliabilityacquired,accruedorincurredunderanylawsorepealed;
Rightsoflegislationandnotcommonlaw.BalrowsVSmetalAlliedWorkersrightofappealintermsof
therepealedlegislationwasamaterialrightandnotaproceduralmatter
(d)
affectanypenalty,forfeitureorpunishmentincurredinrespectofanyoffencecommittedagainstany
lawsorepealed;RVSSutherlandaccusedconvictedofacontraventionoftheregulationunderthe
stateofemergencyacteventhoughtheregulationswererepealedbeforethetrail(c)&(d)accusedin
courton2June1982forcontraveningtheInternalSecurityAct44of1950wasrefusedbailon29July
1982causethesecurityact44of1950wasrepealedon2July1982andreplacebytheInternalSecurity
Act72of1982defencesaidhecouldnotrefuseastheaccusedhasnotcommittedtheoffenseitothe
newactandthattheaccusedshouldstillbetriedundertheoldact(d)butin(c)therefusalofbailunder
theoldactwasstilleffective.
(e)
affectanyinvestigation,legalproceedingorremedyinrespectofanysuchright,privilege,obligation,
liability,forfeitureorpunishmentasisinthissubsectionmentioned,andanysuchinvestigation,legal
proceedingorremedymaybeinstituted,continuedorenforced,andanysuchpenalty,forfeitureor
punishmentmaybeimposed,asiftherepealinglawhadnotbeenpassed.
Page11
SVSErasmusenquiryundertheactmustcontinueevenifaparticularactisrepealedbeforethe
enquirycanbecompleted.
NourseVSVanHeerden1999exampleofdemiseoflegislationSec12(2)
1992agynefromDurbanwaschargeitoAbortionandSterilizationAct2of75forperformingillegalabortions.
Trailstartedon27thNov1992,andwasnotfinalisedin1997.
1July1997hisattorneybroughtanapplicationtohavethechargesagainsthisclientdropped,sinceatthat
stageabortionswerenolongerillegalandthereforenocrimewascommittedusedthefollowing:
TheAbortionandSterilisationActonillegalabortionsnotbeappliedsincethemid90sandtherefore
thoseprovisionhavebeenabrogatedbydisuse
TheAbortionandSterilisationActwasrepealedbytheChoiceonTerminationofPregnancyAct92of
1996relatingtoabortion.
Billofrightsonehastherighttomakedecisionsregardingtheirownbodyandreproductivehealth.
Legalissue:Theapplicationofthedemiseoflegislation,Section12(2)oftheInterpretationsAct,as
wellasretrospectively.
Finding:Courtfounditcouldnotbeabrogatedbydisuseandmustberepealedbycompetentlegislature.The
Exitinglegislationremainsinforceuntilrepealedordeclaredunconstitutional.
ThetrialstartedbeforetherepealoftheAbortionActanditosec12oftheInterpretationactthetrialmustbe
completedasiftheAbortionActwasneverrepealed.The96Constitutionwasinforceon4Feb19997andthe
abortionactwasneverdeclaredunconstitutional.
Presumptionthatlegislationdoesnotintendtochangetheexistinglawmorethanisnecessary
Legislationshouldbeinterpretedinawaythatitsinagreementwithexistinglaw(legislation,commonlaw,
customarylawandpubicinternationallaw)
Newlegislationthatrepealsorchangesexistingcommonlawmustdosoclearly.
CommonLaw
Presumptionshowsarespectandesteemforourcommonlawheritage
Legislatureisfreetochangethecommonlawaslongasleavesnodoubtthatthenewlegislationhas
replacedtheoldcommonlaw.
Legislation
Existinglegislationisusuallyexpresslyrepealed.
Newactshaveaschedulewithallsectionsthathavebeenrepealedarelisted.
IfActdoesnotexpresslyrepealoramendedexistinglegislationpresumptionisthenewActhasnot
changedtheexistinglegislations.
PresumptionitsassumedthatlegislationdidntintendtorepealormodifyanearlierAct.
Trytoreadtheoldandnewactandreconcileifimpossibleifispresumedbyimplicationthatthenewer
actprevails
Page12
Unit5HowLegislationisInterpreted
5.1.TwotheoriesofInterpretation:
TextualApproach/Orthodox/Literal
ordinary/plainmeaningclear,thatmeaningtobe
applied
GoldenRuleonlyifambiguous,cancourtdeviatefrom
themeaning
courtcanuse2ndaids(internal&external)
Iflanguageunclear&2ndaidscantsolvethenuse
commonlawpresumptions(3rdaids)
AdoptedbyEnglishlaw,RDLwasreplacedbyliteral
approach
Basedonpredominanceofthewordorcalledthe
intentionoflegislature
Plainmeaninggivenliteralmeaning
Purposive/ContextualApproach
Appliedtimetotimebefore94
ResultedinNBminorityjudgement
Meaningandcontext
Purpose/objectismostNB
Socialfactors,politicalpoliciesarealsotakenintoaccount
whendeterringthepurposeoflegislation
Mischiefruleistheforerunnerofpurposiveapproachof
interpretation,acknowledgestheapplicationofexternalaids
andcommonlaw
Usedfromthebeginningasitsabalancebtwngrammatical
andcontextofthemeaning
Objectandscopeoflegislationmustalsobetakenintoacc
Courtregardliteralmeaningthatthelegislature
intended
Noroomforjudiciallawmaking,courtsseenas
mechanicalinterpretersofthelaw
Impressionthatoncelawspoken,courtshaveno
function
Ridgedadherencetotheseparationofpowers
Criticism:
SchrienerinJagaprovidedguidelines:
1. Commonlawpresumptionlastresortiftextis
1. Contextualapproachtobeused@beginningwiderview
ambiguous
2. Internaltextualaidsareignored
2. Eveniftextisclear/ambiguousthecontextmustbeused
3. Intentionoflegislatureultimatelydependson
3. WidercontentcanbemoreNBthanlegislativetext
howclearthewordsare
4. Impliedthatlegislationisseldomclearand
4. Oncetext&contextmeaning,clearitmustbeapplied
unambiguous
irrespectiveofinterpretersopinion.
Criticism:
Onlybeappliediftextisvague/ambiguous.
Leaveslittleroomforjudiciallawmaking(courtsjustmechanicalinterpretersoflaw)
ImpressionthatonceLegislationhasspoken,courtshaslittlelawmakingfunction
Ridgedadherencetotheseparationofpowersascourtscanonlyinterpretandnotmakethelaw
CasusOmissusrulecourtstointerpretlawandnottomakeit
Aim&Purposeoflegislationarenottakenintoaccount
Page13
Contextual/Purposive/textincontextapproachPurpose/objectoflegislationisNBforinterpretation
Socialfactors/politicalpolicyNBtodeterminepurpose
MischiefRuleacknowledgesexternalaidsandcommonlawbeforelegislation
Recognisescontextualframeworkoflegislation
Balancebetweenframeworkandcontextualmeaning
Jugovs.DongesminoritydecisionSchrineridentifiedguidelinesforinterpretationofstatues:
Interpretercantakeaimandpurposeintoconsideration
Evenifclear/unclearthepracticaleffectsandbackgroundcanbetakenintoaccount
WidercontextmoreNBthanlegislationtext
Oncemeaningdetermineditmustbeapplied
Mjuquvs.JhbCityCouncilregardedasmodelofcontextualapproach
UniversityofCTvs.CapBarCouncilcourttoexamineallcontextualfactorswhenlookingfortheintention,
evenifwordsareclearorambiguous
Courtscanadopt/modifyinitialmeaningtoharmoniesitwiththepurposeoflegislation
Courtsroleismoreflexibleandnotlimitedtomeaningofwords
Judiciaryhaslawmakingdiscretionduringinterpretation
InfluenceoftheSupremeConstitution:(3)
1. SupremacyClause(SupremeConstitution)
1(c)referstothesupremacyoftheConstitutionandruleoflaw
ConstitutionalSupremacysupremelawofland,anylaw/conductinconsistentisinvalidasobligations
mustbefulfilled
Sec2&7obligationclauseBillofrightsiscornerstoneofSAdemocracyandmustberespected,protected
andpromotethebillofrights
Sec8(1)Billofrightsappliedtoalllawsandbindslegislature,judiciary&organsofstate
Sec8(1)Billofrightsappliedtonaturalandjusticepersons
Sec237AllCCobligationtobeperformedwithoutdelay
Sec7(4)Sec1onlyamendedif75%ofmemberofNAagree+6of9provincesagree
Sec1mostNBprovisionofthesupremeconstitution
1
RepublicofSouthAfrica
TheRepublicofSouthAfricaisone,sovereign,democraticstatefoundedonthefollowingvalues:
(a) Humandignity,equalityandadvancementofhumanrightsandfreedoms.
(b) Nonracialismandnonsexism.
(c) Supremacyoftheconstitutionandtheruleoflaw.
(d) Universaladultsuffrage,nationalcommonvotersroll,regularelections+multipartysystemof
democraticgovernment,toensureaccountability,responsivenessandopenness.
2. InterpretationofProvisionsNNBB
Sec39(2)interpretinganylegislationanddevelopingcommon/customarylaweverycourt/tribunal/forum
mustpromotethesprit/purportandobjectivesoftheBillofrights.
Promotescontextualapproachtointerpretationusingexternalaidsfromthebeginning.
Peremptory/bindingprovisionallcourts/tribunals/forumsmustviewaimandpurposeoflegislationin
lightofthebillofrights=uncleartextisnotenough
BotaStarFishingvs.MatEnvironmentalAffairs&Tourismbeforeinterpretsanylegislation,lookatCCto
promotethesprit/purportandobjectivesofthebillofrightsevenifwordsareunclear.
InvestingDirectorate;SeriousEconomicOffencesvs.HyandiMotorsInreHyundaiDistributorssec39(2)all
statuestobeinterpretsinlightofthebillofrights
Page14
Sec233wheninterpretinglegislationeverycourtmustusereasonableinterpretationoflegislationthatis
consistenttointernationallaws.
Peremptoryprovisioninterpretationthatdoesntconflictwithinternationallaws
Anyinterpretationofsec233issubjecttosec1(c)andsec2
Legislationmustasbestaspossiblebeinterpretsconstitutionally
Prinsloovs.VanDeLinder93CCreadingdowntobekeptalive
Sec233hassec231&232statingthatapplicationofinternationallawissubjecttotheCC
Strengthenssec39(2)promotesthesprit/purposeandobjectofthebillofrights
3. ValuesunderpinningtheConstitution
93preambleSAConstitutionalStateRegstat
96preambleSAnotrefertoasaConstitutionalState
Sectionimplyso1,7,39(2)
PreambleSocietybasedondemocraticvalues,socialjustice,humanrights=freedom,equalityand
humandignity36(1)+39(1)=3corevaluesoftheconstitution.
96Constitutionhasconstitutionalprovisionsofthe93interimconstitution
Courts:
theguardian&enforcesofthevaluesunderlyingtheconstitution
uphold&protectCCandhumanrights
makevaluejudgementsduringinterpretationandapplicationsandrights
interpretationtobalanceconflictingvaluesandrights
Practical/InclusivemethodsofInterpretation(DuPlessis)
GrammaticalInterpretationNBroleoflanguageFocusonlinguistic&grammaticalmeaningofwords,
phrasesandsentences
Systematic/ContextualInterpretationClarifymeaningsofasectioninrelationtothelegislationasa
whole,itsanHolisticapproach/wholenessofwords/phasescantbereadinisolation
TeleologicalInterpretationFundamentalconstitutionvaluesAim&purposeascertainedagainst
fundamentalconstitutionvalues
HistoricalInterpretationHistoricalContextFactorsthatplayapartinadoptionoflegislation
ComparativeInterpretationProcesswherecourtexamineinterpretationofsimilarlegislationbyforeign
courtsandinternationallaws
Differentaspects/techniquesforinterpretation:
AllidentifiedinMinistervs.LandAffairsCourtrequires:
Ascertainmeaningofprovisionbyanalysingitspurpose
Havingregardtoallhistoricalcontext
Regardthestatueasawhole&valuesitunderpins
Regardexactprovisiontootherinterrelatedprovisions
Regardtoprecisewording
Page15
Unit6BasicPrinciples
TheConstitutionaldemands:
NBruleistoestablishthepurposeofthelegislationtogiveeffectto
MatisovCommandingOfficer,PEPrison1994:theruleofascertainingtheintentionofthelegislationdoes
notapplyinastateofconstitutionalsupremacy:TheConstitutionissupreme&notthelegislature.
Nowthemostimportantruleistoestablishthepurposeoflegislationinthelightofandassessedinterms
oftheConstitution.TheConstitutionprescribesacontextualapproach
Whynottheintentionofthelegislatureortextualapproachinpostapartheid:
Originatedformparliamentarysovereignty.
Steyn:Thewillofthelegislatureisascertainedfromthewordsused(textual).
Intention=individualsubjectivestateofmindwhichcantbeachievedwhenitcomestoallthemembers
ofalegislativebodybecause:
Largenumberofpersonsinvolvedinlegislativeprocess.
Somemembersopposelegislation=reflectsintentionofmajority.
Membersmaysupportduetopartypressureevenifopposedtoit.
Notallexpectedtounderstandhighlytechnicalterms.
Billdraftedbydraftersactingonadvicefrombureaucrats.
Membersmaybeabsentwhenvotingtakesplace.
Intentionusedinnarrowsense(literalapproach)
RvKrk1914:Wecanonlyarriveattheintentionofthelegislaturebyconstruingtheactualwordsused.We
cannotinsertwordsorassumeintention.
Intentionusedinbroadsense(purposiveapproach)
StellenboschFarmersWineriesvDistillersCorptoarriveattheintentiononemustfindthegoalofthe
legislature,thereasonforthestatue.
Themostimportantruleofstatutoryinterpretationisthattheinterpretationmustreflectthepurpose.
LegislationthatdatesfromtheyearsofApartheidcantberestrictedbywhattheparliamentoriginally
intended,butmustbetakeintoaccountourconstitutionaldemocracyandhumanrightsculture
TheMarriageAct25of1961:Canitstillbeusedtoconcludemarriagesbetweengaycouples?Howshould
courtsdealwiththisinterpretivequestion,aproblemintransitionalsocietieslikepostapartheidSouthAfrica?
Doesitmatterwhetherthecourtsunderstandtheirinterpretivetaskinatextualistoracontextualistmanner?
Yes,itmattersagreatdealwhetherpostapartheidcourtsadoptatextualistapproach,fromthis
perspectivetheoriginalintentionofthelegislaturemustbeestablisheditwasnottheintentionofthe
legislaturetoallowgaymarriages.ThereforetheActcannotbeusedtoconcludeagaymarriage.
Thecontextualistapproachistoestablishthepresentpurpose&furtherthatpurpose.FourievMinisterof
HomeAffairs2005:ThepurposeoftheActistoallowpeoplewhoareeligibletomarrytogetmarried.Gay
coupleshaveaconstitutionalrighttomarry.Thetextorwordingmustbeupdated.Acontextualapproach
isrequiredbythetransitionalnatureofoursociety.
PublicCarriersAsocvTollRoad:adistinctionbetweenthepurposeandintentionoflegislature.
Cowentookfollowingintoaccount:
NB2distinguishbetweenthepurposeandreasonoflegislation
Aim/purpose2bedistinguishedfromtheintentionofthelegislatureissubjecttospeculation;
Purposedeterminedbyobjectivemeaningnotguesswork.
Page16
Themeaningofthetext:
Theliteralrulenolongerapplies.
Textreadforthemeaningbutasawhole
ThepurposeofthelegislationviewedagainsttheConstitutionwillqualifythemeaningofthetext.
Theinitial(phase1)meaningofthetext:
Processbeginswiththereadingoftext.
Theordinarymeaningmustbeattached2wordsasastartingpoint
Intechnicallegislation(specifictrade)thatappliestoaspecifictrade,thesemeaningswillbedifferentto
theordinarymeaning.
TheinterimConstitutionallproceedingspendingdealtwithasthoughtheConstitutionhadnotbeenpassed.
ThecriminaltrialofMhlunguwaspendingon27April1994.
Mhlunguarguedhewasentitledtotheconstitutionalrighttoafairtiral(certainevidencewasnolonger
admissible).Thestaterejectedthisaccordingtheinterimconstitutionalprovision.
TheCCwasdivided:
o Majorityinterpretationwasthatoldapartheidcourtstoclosecases.TheCChadtobeappliedandthe
evidenceexcluded.
o MinorityheldthecourtshadtoconcludependingcasesundertheoldlawasifCChadntbeenpassed
andtheevidencethereforeallowed.
Majorityrejectedthisasitviolatedtheprinciplethateverywordandclausemustbegivenmeaning.
Thepurposewasthattheprovisiondealswithjurisdictionalissuesandnotwithsubstantivelaw.The
interpretationoftheminorityonlyfocusedononesectionandnotontheinterpretationasawhole.
Everywordisimportant:
Meaningtobeassignedtoeverywordaccordingtotheirordinarymeaning
Unlessessentialforthecourttoregarditasunwritten.
Repetitionsometimesoccurscauseofoverlycautiousdrafters
Shouldbereadasawhole.
Relatedtothepresumptionthatlegislationdoesnotcontainuselessprovisions.
Thecontinuingtimeframeoflegislation:
Question:Shouldwordsbeinterpretedaccordingtotheirpresentdaymeaningorretainthemeaningthey
hadwhenthelegislationwaspassed?
Cowen:unnecessaryforwordstoretaintheiroriginalmeaning.
Initiallycourtsheldthatlegislationmustbegiventhemeaningatthetimeitwaspassed.
RecentlyheldthatthepurposeofanActthedefinitionsshouldbeflexibleinordertokeepupwith,
andnotupdatelegislation.
Noadditionorsubtraction:
Basicruleifpurposeofthelegislationisclear,courtensurethatthelegislativeprocessreachesajust
andmeaningfulconclusion
Balancebetweenthetextandthecontext:
Initiallywhereprovisionisclearliteralmeaning.
InJagavDongesNBofcontextualframeworkjudgeSchreinarejectedthenarrowviewandargued
evenifthereisaclearmeaningthecontextmustbetakenintoaccount.
Thepurposiveapproachdoesnotseparatethetextfromthecontextbutstrikesabalancebetween
them.
Page17
6.2OTHERBASICPRINCIPLES:
Legislationmustbereadasawhole:
Interpreterstoreadlegislationasawhole.
Commonlawexvisceribusactus:Allpartsoflegislationmustbestudied/birdsflock2gether/from
insideofAct
DuPlessis:referstothelegislationbestudiedasawholeasthestructuralwholenessoftheenactment.
Thepresumptionthatlegislationdoesnotcontainuselessprovisions:
NBpresumptioncourtmustdeterminethepurposeoflegislationandgiveeffecttoit.
Presumptionisthatlegislationhasafunctionalpurpose.
Iftheintentionisclear,itshouldnotbedefeatbecauseofvaguelanguage
Ifaprovisioniscapableoftwomeanings,themeaningwhichisconsistentwiththelegislativepurpose
mustbeaccepted.
Appliestodelegatedlegislation
Maximutresmagisvaleatquampereatinterpreterwontleavedelegatedlegislationinvalidbutrather
valid
PresumptioncantbeusedtorescueaadministrativeActthatisdefectiveorinvalid.
RvForlee
Facts:ForleewasfoundguiltyofcontraveninganActbysellingopium.Arguedonappealthathedidnt
commitanoffenceastheActprescribednopunishment.
Legalissue:Thepresumptionthatlegislationdoesntcontainfutileornugatoryprovisions
Finding:Thecourtreliedonthepresumptionagainstfutility,findingthattheabsenceofapenalclause
didntrendertheActineffective,sincethecourthasthediscretiontoimposepunishment.
widespreadcriticismasthenullumcrimensinelege(nopenalty,nocrime)wasnotadheredto
Althoughbothpresumptionsapplied,thenullumcrimensinelegeruleisthebasisofthecriminaljustice
systemandshouldhaveoutrankedthepresumptionagainstfutileresults.
Thepresumptionappliestodelegatedlegislation.Themaximutresmagisvaleatquampereatapplies:an
interpretationthatwillleavethedelegatedlegislationintravires(valid)andnotultravires(invalid)should
beapplied
Legislationshouldbeinterpretedinsuchawaythatacasusomissus(omission)isavoided.
Page18
Unit7Research:Ascertainingthelegislativescheme
7.1.Generalintroduction
Fundamentalprincipleinstatutoryinterpretationistodeterminethepurposeofthelegislationinlightof
thespiritpurposeandobjectsoftheBillofrightsintheconstitution.
Internal&externalaids:researchedtoobtainthepurpose.
Purposeisestablishedthroughresearch:thisisknownasthecontextualisationofthetext.
Interpretertoestablishplainmeaningthatreflectsthepurpose
DifferentapproachastowhentheaidswillbeusedTextualistandContextualist
DiffinopinionbetweentextualistandContextualistissettledbysection39(2)=Contextualistapproachto
beused.
Textualists:
Wordingandintention1stinternalthenexternalthentirtertiary
Onlyifambiguousonlyusedinexceptionalcircumstances
Internal&externalaidsaresecondaryaids
Contextualists:
internalandexternalaidstobeusedfromthestart2haveabalancebetweentext&purpose.
CCsupportsapurposiveapproach;courtsdecideusageandextentofexternal&internalaids.
7.2.InternalAids(7)(insidetext)
Thelegislativetextinofficiallanguage2clarifyuncertanities
B494thecourtswerenotconsistentintheirapproachtotheuseofinternalaids.
Thishasbeensettledbys39(2)oftheConstitution.
1. OriginalLegislation
Legislativetextsaresignedindifferentlanguagesinwhichtheyweredraftedandthesignedtextenrolled
forrecordattheAppellateDivision
Sec240ofthe96CCprovidesifanyinconsistency,theEnglishtextwillprevail.
61,83and93CCifirreconcilableconflictbetweenvariouslegislativetextsexist,thesignedtextprevailed.
CCsaysallnational&provinciallegislationsignedbythePresidentorpremierkeptatCCourt
Thesignedtextwillbeconclusiveevidenceoftheprovisionsofthatlegislation.
Theconstitutiondoesntrefertoirreconcilableconflictsbetweentextsofotherlegislation.
Thesignedversiondoesnotcarrymoreweightsimplybecauseitissigned:
1.Signedversionconclusiveonlywhereirreconcilableconflictbetweenversions.
2.Signedversiononlyusedasalastresort.
3.Whereoneversioniswider,thecommondenominatorruleisfollowed.
4.Ifnoconflict,mustreadtogether,reconcilewithreferencetopurpose&context.
5.Unsignedversionmaybeusedtodeterminethepurpose.
6.AmendmentActsignedbecomespartoftheoriginalstatute.OriginalActprevailsifirreconcilable
conflictbetweenthetextsofamendmentActs.
2. DelegatedLegislation
Allversionsofdelegatedlegislationwillbesigned.
Signedversioncantbeusedontosolveconflictsbetweentextsbutreadtogether
Irreconcilableconflictcourtsgivepreferencetotheonewhichgrantsbenefitstothepartyconcerned.
Presumptionlegislaturedoesntintendlegislationthatispointless
Ifconflictresultsinlegislationbeingvague/unclear:courtmaydeclareinvalid.
Textualapproachsingedversionappliespurposegetsignored.
Page19
3.
Criticism
Allversionstobereadtogetherfrombeginningcauseallpartofthesamestructureofenactedlawtext.
SAbenefitswiththecomparisonsbetweensamelegislationindifferentlanguages.
Consideringsignedversions=aimandpurposeofthelegislationisignored.
Botha:irreconcilableconflictbtwnversionsofthesamelegislativetext,thetextwhichbestreflectsthe
spiritandpurportoftheBillofRightsmustprevail.
Signedversionmaybeincorrect&unsignedmightreflectthetruepurposeoftheprovision.
4. Preamble
Usuallycontainsaprogrammeofaction/declarationofintent.(Provideastartingpoint).
Readasawholewiththerestofthetext
GreenvMinisteroftheInteriorheldthatthepreambleconsideredonlyifunclear,whichapproachisanarrow
andtextual.
JagavDnges,thepreamblewasconsideredtobepartofthecontextofthestatute
NationalDirectorofPublicProsecutionsvSeevnarayan,theapproachheldinGreenwasconsideredand
outdatedapproachtointerpretation.
5. LongTitle
Shortdescriptionofthesubjectmatter.
Courtentitledtorefertothelongtitletoobtainthepurposeoflegislation.
6. DefinitionClause
certainwordsorphrasesusedinthelegislationaredefined
Definitioninthissectionareconclusive,unlesscontextindicatesanothermeaning,thentheordinary
meaningwillbeadopted.
KanhymBpkvOudtshoornMunicipalityitwasheldthatadeviationfromthemeaninginthedefinitionclause
willonlybejustifiedifthemeaningisnotthecorrectinterpretationwithinthecontextoftheparticular
provision.
7. Expresslegislativepurposeandinterpretationguidelines
moredetaileddescriptionofthelegislativethanthelongtitle,notdecisive
Theinterpretermustanalysethetextasawholewithexternalaids.
8. Headingstochaptersandsectionsintroductionstoheadings/sections
Inpastheadingwasusediftextunclear.
Contextualapproach:headingshouldbeusedtoobtainthepurpose
Valueattachedtoheadingsdependsoneachindividualcase.
Theycanbeusedtoestablishpurposeofthelegislation.
9. Paragraphingandpunctuation
Grammaticalfactthatpunctuationcanaffectthemeaningofthetext.
Ifthelegislatureconsiderspunctuationthereforetheinterpretermustalsodoso.
10. Schedules
Shorten&simplifythecontentmatterofsection
Valuedependsonthenatureandrelationshipwiththerestofthetext.
Generalrule:
Schedulesthatexplainsectionsshouldhavethesameforceoflaw
Ifconflictbetweenscheduleandsection,thesectionprevails.(Aschedulemaystateitisnotpartof
theAct,anddoesnothavetheforceoflaw:itmaybeconsideredaspartofthecontext.E.g.Labour
RelationsAct:schedulewithflowdiagramsexplainingtheproceduresfordisputeresolution.
Page20
.3ExternalAid/ExtraTextuals:(6)(outsidetext)
1) TheConstitution:39(2)
NBaidtointerpretationsupreme
Noargumentaboutplainmeaning/unclearprovisionscouldpreventtheConstitutionfrombeingreferred
to.
2) Precedingdiscussions:
Debateonspecifbillbeforeparliaments,debatesandreportsofcommissionsofinquiry
Courtsreluctanttoacceptsdebatesasanaidofinterpretation
a. Debatesduringthelegislativeprocess:
Notacceptedbythecourtsinearliercases.
CCusedparliamentarydebates,aspeechbytheMinisterofjustice,reportbytheSALaw
Commissionduringinterpretationinrecentcases.SvTilly,SvTshilo2000.
b. Commissionreports:
Courtsreluctancttoacceptsandwillonlkyaccepiftheprovisionisambigous.
Courtcanrefuseareportof1committemembercauseitssubjectiveopinion.
3) Surroundingcircumstances:
Thoseconditionsbeforeandduringtheadoptionsoflegislationwhichledtoitscreation.
Referstothecontextofthelegislation.
a.
Themischiefrule:
Historicalcontextusedtoplaceprovisioninperspective.
Objectofrule:Toexaminecircumstancesleadingtothemeasureinquestion.
laiddownbyLordCokeinHeydonsCase1584(thecornerstoneofthecontextualapproach).
Rule:Fourquestionstobeansweredtoestablishthemeaningoflegislation:
o Whatwasthelegalpositionbeforethelegislationwasadopted?
o Whatwasthemischief(ordefect)notprovidedforbyexistinglegislation/CommonLaw?
o Whatremedy(solution)wasprovidedbythelegislaturetosolvethisproblem?
o Whatwasthetruereasonfortheremedy?
Purposeofruletoexaminecircumstancesleadingtothemeasureinquestion.
b. Travauxpreparatoires:
deliberationsofthedraftersofaconstitution39(2)everycourttouseconstitutionalinterpretation
Ifdeliberationsofthedrafters(originalintents)becamethedecidingfactorduringthe
interpretationoftheconstitution,therewillbenodevelopment/adaptability.
consultedasasecondarysourcebutcannotbethedecidingfactor.
c. Contemporaneaexpositio:
Exposition(description)ofthelegislationthetime/afteritsadoption.
Marginalnotes,punctuation,divisionintoparagraphs,1stapplication.
Expositionprobablygivenbythoseinvolvedintheadoption/1stapplication.
d. Subsecutaobservatio:
establisheduse/customwhichmayoriginateatanytimeafteradoptionoflegislation
Longtermuseofaprovisionmaybeadecidingfactorforinterpretation.
e. Ubuntu:
humanistdispositiontowardstheworldCompassion,tolerance,fairness.
SvMakwanyane:CCubuntutranslatesashumanness.Collectiveunity.
MaybearguedubuntulivesonthereferencestohumandignityintheConstitution.
Formsabridgebetweenindividualwesternapproachandunityapproachofubuntu.
Page21
4)
Dictionariesandlinguisticevidence:
Dontunderstandexternalaids
DeBeersvIshizuka:heldthattheinterpretationofawordcantbefinallydeterminedbydictionarymeaning
butusedasaguidelineandthecontextshouldservethedecisivefactor.Courthasheldthetestimonyof
languageexpertsisnotadmissibleasanaid.
SvMakhubela
Facts:Theaccusedwaschargedwithbeingbehindthewheelofavehiclethatwasbeingpushedbyagroupof
peopleonapublicroad,withoutadriverslicence.Hewasfoundguiltyofdrivingavehicleonapublicroad
withoutavaliddriverslicence.
Legalissue:Theuseofadictionary
Finding:Onreview,thecourtdecidedthatthedefinitionoftheworddrive,asfoundintheRoadTrafficact,
wasinadequate.Thecourtheldthattheworddriveshouldntbeconstruedonlyaccordingtoitsdictionary
meaning,butshouldbeunderstoodwithinthecontextoftheActwasawhole.Thelegislaturehadmeantthata
persondrivingavehiclepropelledbyitsownmechanicalpowershouldbeinpossessionofadriverslicence.The
convictionandsentenceweresetaside.
5) Thesourceofaprovision:
EnglishstatuteincorporatedinSAlawshouldbeinterpretedinlightoftheSAcommonlaw
Englishcourtsinterpretationonlyactsasaguideline
6) Explanatorymemoranda,examples&footnotes:
BillpublishedbydraftersthatdeterminesthepurposeoftheAct
CourtsusedexplanatorymemorandatointerpretLabourRelationsActinShopriteCheckersvRamdaw.
Footnote&examplesusedtofacilitateconfusingtextusedaspartofthecontext.
7.4TheInterpretationAct33of1957(4originalandsubordinatelegislation)
PartIGeneralprovisionsregardingtheinterpretationofstatutesthatapplyintheRepublic
PartsIIVParticularprovisionsapplyinginthedifferentprovinces
PartVIProvidesthattheActbindsthestate
1) Thetimefactor:
a. Themeaningofmonth:sec2
Calendarmonthnotlunar.
o 1to31Jan(Servicecontracts).
o 9Janto9Feb(Prisonterms).
b. Thecomputationoftime:
NBstatutory+contractualprovisionsprescribeatimeperiodinorafteractionsaretobeginorare
tobeexecuted,abandonedorcompleted.
TheInterpretationActshouldbereadwiththecommonlawmethod:
Thestatutorymethod:(s4oftheInterpretationAct1stdayexcluded,lastdayincludedunlessfallsona
Sundayorpublicholiday)
Willbeappliedwhereotherlegislationdoesntmentiontime.
S4isnotapplicabletheordinarycivilmethodapplies.
onlytodays,notmonthsoryears
appliedifnoarrangementinlegislature
Brownvs.Manpowerifclearsec4tobeuseddetermineendandnotbeginningofperiod
Commonlawsmethods:
i) Computatiocivilis:(Ordinary/civilmethod):
1stdayincluded&lastdayexcludedoppositetostatutorymethods
PoliceVSDeBeeraccidentandhad6monthstoinstituteaclimesummonsarrived1daylateaction
refused
Page22
ii) Computationaturalis:(Naturalmethod):
Prescribedperiodfromthehour/minoftheoccurrencetothecorrespondinghour/minonthe
lastdayoftheperiodinquestion
iii) Computatioextraordinaria:(Extraordinarycivilmethod):
The1st&lastdaysareincluded.
7.5OtherCommonLawPresumptions(appliestoexternalaids)
1) Governmentbodiesarenotboundbytheirownlegislation:(read)
BothanolongerappliesArguedthispresumptionshouldnolongerapplyundernewCCorder:
Sec8(1):Governmentorgansarebound.TheConstitutionissupremeandalllaw&governmentmustbe
testedagainstit.Constitutionreferstoaccountability&openness,thevaluesunderlyingit,open&
democraticsociety,thestateisboundbytheConstitutionetc.
Examples:
Governmentbodiesareboundbytownplanningschemes.
Asecurityofficialwhenactingoutsidethescopeofhisdutiescannotrelyonthepresumption.
Thedriverofafireenginemaydisregardaredtrafficlight.
2) Legislationdoesnotoustthejurisdictionofthecourts:(NB)
Unlessexpresslystated/necessarilyimplied,presumedthatlegislaturedoesntwishtorestrictthecourts
jurisdiction.
PresumptionentrenchedinourConstitutionasafundamentalright=
sec34righttoaccessacourt,
sec33righttojustadministrativeaction
sec35(3)everyaccusedpersonhastherighttoafairtrial
Legislaturecannolonger,asinthepast,oustthejurisdictionofthecourtsatwill.
DeWetvDeetlefs1928:Courtheld:theintentionofthelegislatureshouldclearlyindicatewhereacourts
jurisdictionistobeexcluded.PresumptionappliedinMathopevSowetoCouncil
Astatutoryprovisionwhichdenies/restrictstherightofanindividualtoappealtoacourthasbeen
interpretedstrictly.DuToitvAckermann1962
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Unit8Concretisation:CorrelationoftextandpurposeinthelightoftheConstitution(NNNB)
8.1.Whatisconcretisation?
Alldatacollectedduringtheinterpretationphase
bearinginmindtheconstitutionalguidelines
DuPlessisItsthefinalstagesintheinterpretationprocesswherethelegislativetext,purposeandfacts
arebroughttogethertoreachaconclusion
8.2.Thelawmakingfunctionofthecourts
Courtsdontmakenewlawsbutgiveeffecttocurrentlaws
Bothafavoursthecontextualapproach
a.Theorthodox/liberalismviewpoint
assumptionthatthemeaningoflegislationisfixedandfullydevelopedwhenpromulgated
assumptionisthatmeaningisnotcreatedthroughinterpretation
EngelsvAlliedChemicalManufacturers(Pty)Ltditwasexplainedthatbyremedyingthedefect,thecourt
wouldbeusurpingthefunctionofthelegislatureandmakinglaw,notinterpretingit.
b.Thepurposiveviewpoint
Notenoughtofindtheplainmeaning
courtdoeshaveacreativelawmakingfunctionbutcompletesthelegislationprocess
Doesntamounttousurpationoflegislaturesfunctionmakesforameaningfulend
Legislaturetousegenerallanguagewhendraftinglegislations
Legislationisdrafteditogeneralrulesthatapplytomanydifferentcases
Problemwithgeneralruleeithertooinclusiveorunderinclusivecourttoneutraliseproblems
Lawmakingtomakesurethepurposeoflawisnotobstructedbythegenerallanguage
c.Themyththatcourtsmerelyinterpretthelaw
Theliteralistviewpointcourtsusurpthepowersofthelegislativebodyif+whenlegislationisinterpreted
creativelyisbasedonanumberof3falseassumptions,namely:
(i)Theyconfusethemodificationoflegislationwiththeliteralmodificationofthetextorlanguageofthe
legislation;(casusomissusmodifymeaningasawhole)
(ii)willingtoacceptaliteralinterpretationofastatutewhichgoesbeyondthepurposeofthelegislation;
(iii)TheyrelyonthedoctrineofparliamentarysupremacywhichhasbeenreplacedbytheConstitution.
d.Factorswhichsupportandlimitjudiciallawmaking
TheaimandpurposeoflegislationwithintheframeworkoftheConstitutionmustsupportthe
modification.
(i)Restrictionsonthelawmakingpowersofthecourts
PrincipleofdemocracyS1ofconstitutionfundamentalconstitutionalvalues.
Courtsguardiansoftheconstitutionalvaluesnotallowedtousurptheconstitutionalroleoflegislature.
Principleofseparationofpowers(S43ofconstitutiondealswithlegislativeauthority)
Commonlawpresumptionthelegislaturedoesnotintendtoalterexistinglawmorethannecessary.
Theruleoflawprinciplese.g.principlesoflegality.
JudicialofficersaccountablefortheiractionsPersonalresponsibility/Formalresponsibility:constitutional
andlegislative/Substantialaccountability:decisionopenstopublicdebateandacademiccriticism.
Punishingprovisionsorrestrictiveprovisionsinlegislation.
(ii)Factorswhichsupportmodificativeinterpretation/Lawmakingdiscretionofcourt
Readingdownprinciplelegislationonthefaceofitisunconstitutionalcouldhavemorerestrivt
interpretationthatwillstillrenderitvalid
S39(2)ofconstitutioncourtsreconcileaim&purposeoflegislationwithprovisionsofbillofrights.
Billofrightsappliestoalllawandbindsjudiciaryaswell.
Constitutionalsupremacydemiseofsovereigntyofparliamentvestscourtswithrightfulauthority.
Page24
Commonlawpresumptionsthatlegislaturedoesnotintendfutilelaws.
IndependenceofjudiciaryassuredbyconstitutionS165(2
8.3.Possibilitiesduringconcretisation
ConcretisationphaseofinterpretationmayalsobeinfluencedbytheConstitution.
final'result'/outcomeoftheinterpretationprocesscantbeinconflictwiththeCC+fundamentalrights
Modificativeinterpretation(restrictive+extensive)canbeappliedonlyifitspermittedbythepurposeof
thelegislation
Noproblemswithcorrelation
nodifficultiesapplyingtheprovisionstothefactswithinthepurpose+constitutionalguidelines
Modificationofthemeaningisnecessary
Modificativeinterpretationoccurswhentheinitialmeaningofthetextdoesntcorrespondfullytothe
purposeofthelegislationandmodificationoftheinitialmeaningofthelegislationwillonlytakeplace
where:
thepurposeofthelegislationisclear;and
theinitialmeaningofthelegislationgoesbeyondthepurposeofthelegislationortheinitialmeaningfalls
shortofthepurposeofthelegislation
TypesofModifications:(2)
Courtmaymodifytheinitialmeaningoftextonthegroundsofambiguity,absurdityorvagueness.
(i) Restrictiveinterpretation(languageisoverinclusive)
Initialmeaningoftextisreduced
Cessanterationelegis,cessatetipsalex
Meansifthereasonforthelawfallsaway,thelawitselfalsofallsaway
NotappliedinSAlegislationcantbeabolishedbutremainsinforceuntilrepealed
Eiusdemgeneris
Meansofthesamekind
Meaningofwordsisqualifiedbytheirrelationshiptootherwords
Requirementsbeforetheinitialmeaningofthetextcanbemodified:
Thespecificwordsmustrefertoadefinitegenusorcategory.Skotnessvs.SAlibrary
Specificwordsmustnothaveexhaustedthegenus.Carlisvs.oldfield
Rulecanbeappliedevenifthespecificwordsprecedethegeneralwords.JHBmunicipality
Theorderofwordsisunimportant.BurglarsPostvs.InlandRevenue
Intentionoflegislaturetosuchrestrictiveinterpretationmustbeevident.
CaselawSvKohler
SvKohler
Facts:Thecourtheardanappealagainstaconvictionbyamagistratescourt,whichconvictedKohlerofhaving
contravenedamunicipalpoultryregulationbykeepingapeacockwithinthemunicipalboundarieswithouta
licence.Theregulationdefinedpoultryasanyfowl,duck,goose,turkey,guineafowl,partridge,pheasant,
pigeonorthechickensthereof,oranyotherbird.Thedefenceallegedthatpeacocksarenotpoultry.
Legalissue:Theeiusdemgenerisrule
Finding:Afterconsultingdictionaries,thecourtfoundapeacocktobeachickenlikedecorativebird.Since
therealreadyisadefinitegenus(i.e.poultry),thegeneralwordsanyotherbirdarerestrictedtothatgenus.A
peacockisaspeciesofthatgenusandtheappealwasdismissed.
(ii)Extensiveinterpretation(languageisunderinclusive)
Initialmeaningoftextisextendedoppositeofrestrictiveinterpretation.
purposeisbroaderthantheinitialtextualmeaningwidenedtogiveeffecttopurpose.
initialmeaningofthetextismodified(expanded)toincludewhatonthefaceofit,falloutsidethescope
ofthelegislationbutareactuallyimpliedbythelegislativeprovision.
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Interpretationbyimplication:
Extendingtextualmeaningonthegrounofreasonableandessentialimpliancewhichisevidentfrom
thelegislation.
ThreeMainGrounds:
1.Excrontraiismeansopposites
2.Exconsequentibus
3.Exaccessorioeios
Ifcertainactionissanctionedbylegislationthenallthatisnecessarytobringabouttheactionis
authorizedbyimplication.
Ifprincipalisforbiddenorpermittedbylegislation,itisassumedtheaccessorythingisalsoforbidden
orpermittedasthecasemaybe.
Impliedinherentrelatione.g.Authoritytoissueregulationimpliesthereisalsoauthoritytowithdraw
theregulation.
Ifaparticularresultisprohibitedthenalsomeansofachievingsuchresultsisalsoprohibitedby
implication.
Nomodificationofthemeaningispossible
Thediscretionofthejudiciarytomodifytheinitialmeaningofthetextislimited.
Ifmodificationofthemeaningisnotpossible,thecourtwillhavetoapplythelegislationasitreads.
Iflegislationisntclearordoesntsupportamodificationoftheinitialmeaning,thelegislaturehastorectify
it.
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Unit9NonCompliancewithlegislations
Legislationhasconsequencesforacts/omission=OK=ProblemifnoconsequencesforanAct/omission
IfLegislationdoesntstateconsequencesCourtstodetermineiftheprovisionwasperemptoryor
directory?
peremptoryastatutoryprovisionthatrequiresexactcomplianceandfailuretocomplywitha
itwillleavetheensuingactnullandvoid;
directoryastatutoryprovisionthatrequiressubstantialcomplianceonlyandfailureto
complywithitwillnotresultintheensuingactbeingnullandvoid.
Courtsgenerallyfollowacontextualapproachwheninterpretingperemptoryanddirectoryprovisions.
Languageisconsideredincontext,allinternal&externalaidsusedtodeterminethepurposeoflegislation.
Factorsinmakinginterpretation=principlesofjustice,fairplay,convenience,logic,effectiveness&
morality.
Thepointiswhetherthestatutoryprovisionsrequirestrictcomplianceorifsubstantialcomplianceis
adequateotherwiseallthelegislativerulesareallconsideredtobeperemptoryinordertobebinding.
CommercialUnionAssurancevClarke
Facts:insurancecompanydeniedliabilitytopaycompensationtoaninjuredroaduserduetofailuretofollow
thecorrectprocedurewhensubmittingclaim.Insurancecompanysaidclaimtobesentbyregisteredpostorby
handtotheregisteredcompanywithin60days.Claimwasdoneintimebutsendviaordinarymail.Insurance
companywantedtoescapeliabilitysaytherequirementwasperemptory.
Finding:Courtrejectedargumentandheldthattheprovisionwasdirectoryastherequirementsubstantially
compiledwiththeprovision.
WeenenMunicipality
Facts:Politicalpartycancontestalocalelectionifgavenoticeofintentiontocontestandpaydepositbefore
deadline.Noticewasgivenbutdepositnotpaid.Electoralcommissionrefusedtoregistercausedepositwasnot
paidcausetheysaiditwasanperemptoryprovision,whilethemunicipalitysaiditwasadirectoryprovision.
Finding:CCheldthattheACDPhad(substantially)compliedwiththeprovisionsandorderedtheCommissionto
registerthepartyfortheCapeTownelections.
WeenenTransitionalLocalCouncilvVanDyk
Facts:Municipalitymeanttopublishthreenoticesbutonlypublishedoneaboutthelevyingoftaxes.
MunicipalitysuedVanDykforpaymentofhisoutstandingratesandtaxesfortheyear.
VanDykdeniedthatthetaxesweredue,causetheyonlypublishedonenoticeandnotthreeandthereforedid
notfollowthecorrectprocedure
Finding:ThejudgmentofthecourtwasinfavourofVanDykthatthetaxeswerentdue.Courtsaidthatthe
procedurewasperemptoryandthattheMunicipalityhadtocomplywiththethreenotices.
ExparteDow
Facts:1984,marriagesolemnisedbymarriageofficerataprivatelyownedresidentialinfrontgardenandnotin
pvtdwellinghouseasperMarriageAct.Husbandwantedmarriagedeclarednullandvoidastherequirements
wasnotcompledwtih.
Finding:Courtheldthatthemarriagewaslegalandthathewouldhavetofollowthenormaldivorce
proceedingsThefactthatthestatutoryrequirementwasignoredandthatthemarriagetookplaceinagarden
didntinanywayaffectthevalidityofthemarriage.
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GuidelinestodeterminewhetherprovisionistobeconsideredperemptoryordirectoryNNNB
SemanticGuidelines(Devenish)basedonthegrammaticalmeaningofthelanguageusedintheprovision:
Word/swithanvital/affirmativecharacterindicateaperemptoryprovision(e.g.thewordsshallormust');
laxwordssuchasmayindicatediscretion,interpretedasdirectoryunlessthepurposeofprovisionindicates
otherwise.
Wordsinnegativeformindicateaperemptoryconnotation.
Positivelanguagesuggestsprovisiontobemerelydirectory.
Ifprovisionisformulatedinvagueterms,itisanindicationthatitisdirectory
JurisprudentialGuidelines(Devenish)
Thesearebasedonlegalprinciplesformulatedanddevelopedbycourtsandaremoreinfluentialthan
semanticguidelinesbasedonexaminationofconsequence
Ifprovisioniscouchedinpositivelanguagewithnopenalsanctionitisconsidereddirectory.
Ifstrictcompliancetoprovisionwouldleadtoinjusticeorfrauditispresumedtobedirectory.
Historicalcontextofthelegislation(mischiefrule)willinsomeinstancesprovideindicationofwhether
provisionisperemptoryordirectory.
AddingPenaltytoprohibitionisstrongindicationthatitisperemptory.
IfvalidityoftheActwoulddefeatpurposeofthelegislationthenitisanindicationthatconductshouldbe
nullandvoid.
Inspiteofalltheseguidelines,thepurposeofthelegislationistheoverridingfactorindeterminingwhether
strictcomplianceorsubstantialcompliancewouldsuffice.
PresumptionsaboutSpecificCircumstances
Wherelegislationprotectspublicrevenuee.g.taxes,apresumptionagainstnullityexists
Whenlegislationconfersright,privilegeorimmunity,therequirementsareperemptoryandcomplianceis
requiredbeforeconfermentofsuchrights,privilegesorimmunities
Ifotherprovisionsintheparticularlegislationwouldberenderedmeaningless,therequirementsare
merelydirectory.
Iffreedomofindividualisatstakethecourthastoemphasizeperemptorynatureofrequirement.
Ifatimelimitprescribedandacourthasnopoweroversuchtimethenitisperemptory.
Someperemptoryprovisionsintheconstitution
1. S2Supremacyofconstitution
2. S7(2)Applicationofbillofrights
3. S39(2)Interpretationclause
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Unit10ConstitutionalInterpretation
10.1.Introduction
35(3)of93and39of96Constitutiondiffbtwninterpretationof'ordinary'legislation&coninterpretation
Allcourts,tribunalandforumshavetointerpretinlightoftheconstitution.
Constitutionalinterpretationand'ordinary'statutoryinterpretation
Sec39(2)ofCCthe'filtering'oflegislationviafundamentalrightsduringtheordinaryinterpretation
process.
ConinterpretationisauthoritativeinterpretationofthesupremeConstitutionbythejudiciaryduring
judicialreviewoftheconstitutionalityoflegislationandgovernmentaction.
DuPlessisandCorderthediffbtwnconstitutional+'ordinary'interpretationmustntbeoveremphasised,
becausetheyareinterrelated.
39(2)ensurethat'ordinary'interpretationshouldbebasedonacontextualandpurposivemethodsimilar
tothatusedinconstitutionalinterpretation.
MatisovCommandingOfficer,PortElizabethPrison:"Constitutionalinterpretationisaimedatascertainingthe
fundamentalvaluesinherentintheConstitutionandlegislationinterpretationisdirectedatascertainingthe
purposeoflegislationandwhetheritiscapableofinterpretationwhichconformswiththevaluesofthe
Constitution".
Asupremeconstitutionandordinarylegislation
AsupremeConstitutionsstatusinthelegalorderisthemainreasonforthedifferencebetweenconstitutional
interpretationand'ordinary'interpretation;theoldsystemofparliamentarysovereigntyisnomore.The
Constitutionisnowtheframeofreferencewithinwhicheverythingmustfunctionandagainstwhichallactions
mustbetestedandisthelexfundamentalis(fundamentallaw)oftheSouthAfricanlegalorder.Assuch,it
embodiesthevaluesofsociety,aswellastheaspirations,dreamsandfearsofthenationandshouldbethe
mostimportantnationalsymbol.Itdoesmorethandescribetheinstitutionalframeworkofgovernment.
10.2.WhyisasupremeConstitutiondifferent?
Aconstitutionalstateisunderpinnedby2foundations:
formaltheseparationofpowers,checksandbalancesonthegovernmentandtheprincipleof
legality)anda
materialorsubstantivestateboundbyasystemoffundamentalvaluessuchasjusticeandequality
ThereasonswhythetextoftheConstitutionisdifferentfromthetextofordinarylegislationare:
Aconstitutionasaformalpowermap
Constitutionisaformalpowermapdealingwhichwithinstitutional/organisationalstructures/state
procedures
differentbranchesandtiersofgovernment(separationofpowers)andchecksandbalances
Substantiveconstitutionalism
Constitutionsystemoffundamentalstateauthorityisboundbyasetofhigher,substantivelegal
norms.
Constitutionalsymbolism
Abridgeinadividedsociety,ofcultureofauthorityandjustification.
Reflectsthenationsideasandaspirations
ShieldforIDagainstabusebythestateand(+)transformationitothefundamentalvalues
NortjevAttorneyGeneraloftheCapeitwasheldthatasupremeConstitution:Isnotafinelytuned
statutedesignedadhoctodealwithoneparticularsubject,ortoamendorrepealanotherspecifically
namedstatute,oraspecificallyidentifiedruleofthecommonlaw.Itissuigeneris.Itprovides,inthemain,
asetofsocietalvaluestowhichotherstatutesandrulesofthecommonlawmustconform,andwithwhich
governmentanditsagenciesmustcomply,incarryingouttheirfunctionsItisshortonspecificsandlong
ongeneralisation.
Page29
10.3.HowtointerprettheConstitution(NB)
IntheNortjecasethecategorisationoftheoriesandcanonsofconstitutionalinterpretationwasquestionedand
itwasheldthattheadoptedapproacheswereavaluableaidtounderstandingwhatisentailedinthose
processes,butitwasunwisetosettletoostrictlyononeapproachatthisstage.
10.3.1Constitutionalguidelines
Section39(1)oftheConstitutionInterpretationofBillofRights
WheninterpretingtheBillofRights,acourt,tribunalorforum
(a)promotethevaluesthatunderpinanopen,democraticsocietybasedonhumandignity,equality+freedom;
(b)mustconsiderinternationallaw;and
(c)mayconsiderforeignlaw.
(a)Peremptory:WheninterpretingtheBillofRight,valuejudgmentsmustbemade,universalsetofrulesand
normsdealingwiththeprotectionoffundamentalhumanrights.
(c)Directory:Onlythoselegalprinciplesnotinconflictwithourlegalorder.
ShabalalavTheAttorneyGeneralofTransvaal:AsupremeConstitutionmustbegivenagenerousand
purposiveinterpretation.
NyamakazivPresidentofBophuthatswana:ApurposiveinterpretationoftheConstitutionisnecessary,sinceit
enablesthecourttotakeintoaccountmorethanlegalrules.TheConstitutionmustbeliberallyinterpreted,
referringtoflexibilityandgenerosity.
SvAcheson:DuringtheinterpretationoftheConstitution,itsspiritandtenormustbeadheredto.
SvMakwanyane:AprovisionintheConstitutioncannotbeinterpretedinisolation,butmustbereadinthe
contextasawhole.
ShabalalavTheAttorneyGeneralofTransvaal:RespectmustbepaidtothelanguageintheConstitution,the
contextisanchoredtotheparticularconstitutionaltext.
SvAJuvenile:TheConstitutionhasbestowedonthecourtthesacredtrustofprotectinghumanrights.
KhalavMinisterofSafetyandSecurity:TheConstitutionwasdraftedwithaviewtothefuture,providinga
continuingframeworkforthelegitimateexerciseofgovernmentpowerandtheprotectionofindividualrights
andfreedoms
QozolenivMinisterofLawandOrder:TheConstitutionmustbeinterpretedinthecontextandsettingexisting
atthetimewhenthecaseisheard,andnotwhenitwaspassed,otherwisethegrowthofsocietywillnotbe
takenintoaccount.Constitutionalinterpretationisanexerciseinthebalancingofvarioussocietalinterestsand
values.
NortjevAttorneyGeneraloftheCape:Thesemethodsandprinciplesofconstitutionalinterpretationdont
constituteanfirmsetofrulesandconstitutionalinterpretationisaninherentlyflexibleprocess.
SvZuma:Theprinciplesofinternationalhumanrightsandforeignlawmustbeappliedwithdueregardforthe
SouthAfricancontext
SvMakwanyane:ConstitutionalinterpretationmuststartandendwiththeConstitution.
PrincevCapeLawSociety:Alljudgesandjudicialofficersareobligedtocontinuouslyinterpretandapply
legislationtogiveeffecttofundamentalvaluesandrightsintheConstitution.
PrincevCapeLawSociety
Facts:previousconvictionofpossession,useofdaggadeniedadmissiontotheLawSocietyashealsointended
tousedaggainfutureinlegalceremonies.Princebelievedthatthisinfringedhisconstitutionalrights.
Legalissue:SettingoutthecorrectwayofinterpretingtheConstitution.
Finding:LimitationsanalysisunderourConstitutionisbasednotonformalorcategoricalreasoningbuton
processesofbalancingandproportionalityasrequiredbySection36.ThisCourthasaccordinglyrejectedthe
viewofthemajorityintheUnitedStatesSupremeCourtthatitisaninevitableoutcomeofdemocracythatina
multifaithsocietyminorityreligionsmayfindthemselveswithoutremedyagainstburdensimposeduponthem
byformallyneutrallaws.Equally,ontheotherhand,itwouldnotacceptasaninevitableoutcomeof
constitutionalismthateachandeverystatutoryrestrictiononreligiouspracticemustbeinvalidated.Onthe
contrary,limitationsanalysisunderSection36isadversetoextremepositionswhichendupsettingthe
irresistibleforceofdemocracyandgenerallawenforcement,againstimmovableobjectofconstitutionalismand
protectionoffundamentalrights.Whatitrequiresisthemaximumharmonisationofallthecompeting
considerations,onaprincipledyetnuancedandflexiblecasebycasebasis,locatedinSouthAfricanrealityyet
Page30
guidedby,internationalexperience,articulatedwithappropriatefranknessandaccomplishedwithoutlosing
sightoftheultimatevalueshighlightedbyourConstitution.Inachievingthisbalance,thisCourtmayfrequently
finditselffacedwithcomplexproblemsastowhatproperlybelongstothediscretionaryspherewhichthe
ConstitutionallocatestotheLegislatureandtheExecutive,andwhatfallssquarelytobedeterminedbythe
Judiciary.
Acomprehensivemethodology
DuPlessisandCorderdiscuss5techniquesofinterpretationandthesecomplementarytechniquesapplyto
constitutionalinterpretationaswell.
phrasesandsentences
SvMakwanyane"Whendealingwithcomparativelawwemustbearinmindthatwearerequiredtoconstrue
theSouthAfricanConstitutionandnotaninternationalinstrumentandthishastobedonewithdueregardto
ourlegalsystem,ourhistoryandcircumstanceandthestructureandlanguageofourConstitution.Wecan
deriveassistancefrominternationallawandforeigncaselawbutwearenotboundtofollowit".
Page31
EXAMINMAY2011
Question1:
Essayfor50Marchsimilartotheessayintheassignment
Mustusedtheintroductiongiven
Onlyfactsofthecaseasked
Explainthemajorityandminorityimpressionsofthecase
Section39(2)BatoState
EvaluateandgiveConclusionwhetheryouagreeordisagree
Putcasenameinitalicanduseallheadinggiventoyounolongerthan45pages
Question2:
2.1 Shortessayquestionwhatismeant....
2.2 Shortessayquestionname&discussanddistinguishbetween
2.3 Shortessayquestiondistinguishbetween
2.4 3ShortquestionsBrieflyexplain(caselawallaskabout1ormorecases)
ExampleofQuestions&Answers:
Sec39(2)ofCChadstatutoryinterpretationheadonstatutoryinterpretationinSouthAfrica(10)
InterpretationofProvisions(Chapter5)
Sec39(2)interpretinganylegislationanddevelopingcommon/customarylaweverycourt/tribunal/forummust
promotethesprit/purportandobjectivesoftheBillofrights.
Promotescontextualapproachtointerpretationusingexternalaidsfromthebeginning.
Peremptory/bindingprovisionallcourts/tribunals/forumsmustviewaimandpurposeoflegislationin
lightofthebillofrights=uncleartextisnotenoughuseexternalaids
BotaStarFishingvs.MatEnvironmentalAffairs&Tourismbeforeinterpretsanylegislation,lookatCCto
promotethesprit/purportandobjectivesofthebillofrightsevenifwordsareunclear.
InvestingDirectorate;SeriousEconomicOffencesvs.HyandiMotorsInreHyundaiDistributorssec39(2)all
statuestobeinterpretsinlightofthebillofrights
Section13(1)InterpretationActwhatisunderstoodbyadoption&CommencementofLegislation(5)
Adoptionistheprocess/readingthatlegislationhastobepassesbeforeitwasacceptedbythelegislativebody
Notlaw
ParliamentpassedBill,ActtobesignedbyPresident
ProvincialLegislaturepassed,ActtobesignedbyPremierofProvinces
OncesingedbyeitherPresidentorPremierofProvinces=officiallylaw
CommencementofLegislation
Commencementdaythelawcomesintooperation
Lawproclamations,ordinance,Act,delegateslegislationorenactmenthavingforce
DelegatedLegislationmustbepublishedinGazetteandtabledinparliament
NewLegislationregulationsmadeneedtobegiventoparliamentforpublication.
Operationoneofthreetimes:PublishedinGG,DatespecifiedinStatuteorFixedDatetobeproclaimed,
signedbyPresident.
13 Commencementoflaws
(1)CommencementisonthedayitgetspublishedintheGazette,unlesslegislationprovidesanotherdate.
(anotherdatecouldbeforthewholeactorjustsomesectionsoftheact)
(2)Commencementdaybeginsatmidnightinoperation@endofthepreviousdaydatespecifiedinstatute
(3)AdatefixedbythePresidentorthePremierofaprovincemeansActwillcommenceatalaterdatestobe
proclaimeditcanbedifferentdatesfordifferentprovisionsofthatAct.(signedbythePresident)
E.G:RoadTrafficActProclamationR54Sep977yearsafterpromulgationoftherestoftheAct
Page32
RestrictiveInterpretationisappliedwhenthewordsofaparticularlegislationembracesmorethanits
purposewithreferencetorelevantcaselaw,explaintheElusdemGenerisRule(10)
(ii) Restrictiveinterpretation(languageisoverinclusive)
Initialmeaningoftextisreduced
Cessanterationelegis,cessatetipsalex
Meansifthereasonforthelawfallsaway,thelawitselfalsofallsaway
NotappliedinSAlegislationcantbeabolishedbutremainsinforceuntilrepealed
Eiusdemgeneris
Meansofthesamekind
Meaningofwordsisqualifiedbytheirrelationshiptootherwords
Requirementsbeforetheinitialmeaningofthetextcanbemodified:
Thespecificwordsmustrefertoadefinitegenusorcategory.Skotnessvs.SAlibrary
Specificwordsmustnothaveexhaustedthegenus.Carlisvs.oldfield
Rulecanbeappliedevenifthespecificwordsprecedethegeneralwords.JHBmunicipality
Theorderofwordsisunimportant.BurglarsPostvs.InlandRevenue
Intentionoflegislaturetosuchrestrictiveinterpretationmustbeevident.
CaselawSvKohler
SvKohler
Relevantcaselaw,explainthepurposiveapproachtostatutoryinterpretation(15)
Contextual/Purposive/textincontextapproachPurpose/objectoflegislationisNBforinterpretation
Socialfactors/politicalpolicyNBtodeterminepurpose
MischiefRuleacknowledgesexternalaidsandcommonlawbeforelegislation
Recognisescontextualframeworkoflegislation
Balancebetweenframeworkandcontextualmeaning
Courtscanadopt/modifyinitialmeaningtoharmoniesitwiththepurposeoflegislation
Courtsroleismoreflexibleandnotlimitedtomeaningofwords
Judiciaryhaslawmakingdiscretionduringinterpretation
Jugovs.DongesminoritydecisionSchrineridentifiedguidelinesforinterpretationofstatues:
Mjuquvs.JhbCityCouncilregardedasmodelofcontextualapproach
UniversityofCTvs.CapBarCouncilcourttoexamineallcontextualfactorswhenlookingfortheintention,
evenifwordsareclearorambiguous
PublicCarriersAssociationvTollRoadConcessionaries
Facts:AsectionoftheN3betweenJhbandDurbanwasdeclaredatollroadintermsofSec9(1)oftheNational
RoadsAct.Section9(3)notollroadunlessanalternativeroadtotheintendedtollroad,alongwhichthesame
destinationordestinationsmaybereachedisavailabletoroadusers.Thealternativeroadoverlappedthetoll
roadforadistanceof79km,butbypassedtheentiretollgate.Associationofpublicroadcarrierssaidthata
properalternativeroadwasnotavailableasperSection9(3)andthattheanalternativeroadmeansan
alternativeroadwayandnotanalternativeroutemeaningtwophysicallyseparateroadways.Thetollroad
Page33
operatorsarguedthatalternativeroadmeansanalternativeroute.Inthissensetworoads(orroutes)are
alternativeroads,eventhoughpartsofthemarecommontoboth.
Legalissue:Howshouldthephraseanalternativeroadisinterpreted?
Finding:Lasttextualapproachbeforetheintroductionofthenewconstitutionalorder.Thepurposeofthe
legislationcouldsolveinterpretationproblems,whenthetextualapproachcouldnot.Courtpartiallyrecognised
purposiveortextincontextapproach,butrestrictedittocaseswherethetextualapproachhadfailed.Thecase
providesabridgebetweentheoldtextualapproachandthenewcontextualapproach.
CourtheldinfavouroftheTollRoadOperatorsitappliedtherulesoftextualapproachtoseetheintentionof
legislaturetakingintoconsiderationtheirordinarygrammaticalmeaning,unlessthiswouldleadtoan
absurditylegislaturecouldnothavecontemplated.Courtuseddictionarytogetaclearmeaningfortheterms
roadandalternativeonlytofindthatthewordsarenotlimitedtoasingleordinarygrammaticalmeaningas
itcouldmeanaadifferentroadway(association)oradifferentroute(tolloperators)
CourtusedsecondaryaidsoftextualinterpretationwhichdidnothelpthenturnedtoCommonLaw
presumptionsbutthisdidnotgiveclearguidelinesofwhentheintentionofthelegislaturewas.
Courtthenhadtolookatthepurposeoftheprovisionadaptedtheinterpretationwhichbestservesthe
purpose.Thepurposeofsec9(3)wastoensurethatroaduseswhowishtoreachthesamedestinationcould
dosowithoutpayingthetollfeesCourtheldthatanalternativeroadmeantanalternativerouteandnot
analternativeroadway.ItwasfoundunnecessarytohaveaseparateroadtoachievetheobjectiveoftheAct,
butrathertohaveanotherwaytopassthetollswithoutpaying.CourtheldtherelevantportionoftheN3asa
tollroadwasvalid.
ExplaintheComprehensiveandinclusivemethodsofConstitutionalinterpretationasdescribedbyDuPlessis
andCarderinBothasStatutoryInterpretation(10)
phrasesandsentences
ReferencestocaseofCommercialUnionAssuranceCoVS.ClarkandWeenamTransitionCouncilVS.VanWyk
distinguishbetweendirectoryandperemptoryProvision(10)
Legislationhasconsequencesforacts/omission=OK=ProblemifnoconsequencesforanAct/omission
IfLegislationdoesntstateconsequencesCourtstodetermineiftheprovisionwasperemptoryor
directory?
peremptoryastatutoryprovisionthatrequiresexactcomplianceandfailuretocomplywitha
itwillleavetheensuingactnullandvoid;
directoryastatutoryprovisionthatrequiressubstantialcomplianceonlyandfailuretocomplywith
itwillnotresultintheensuingactbeingnullandvoid.
Courtsgenerallyfollowacontextualapproachwheninterpretingperemptoryanddirectoryprovisions.
Languageisconsideredincontext,allinternal&externalaidsusedtodeterminethepurposeoflegislation.
Factorsinmakinginterpretation=principlesofjustice,fairplay,convenience,logic,effectiveness&
morality.
Thepointiswhetherthestatutoryprovisionsrequirestrictcomplianceorifsubstantialcomplianceis
adequateotherwiseallthelegislativerulesareallconsideredtobeperemptoryinordertobebinding.
Page34
procedurewasperemptoryandthattheMunicipalityhadtocomplywiththethreenotices.
DistinguishbetweenstatutoryandcommonmethodsofComputationofday
Thecomputationoftime:
NBstatutory+contractualprovisionsprescribeatimeorperiodinorafteractionsaretobeginoraretobe
executed,abandonedorcompleted.
TheInterpretationActshouldbereadwiththecommonlawmethod:
Thestatutorymethod:(s4oftheInterpretationAct1stdayexcluded,lastdayincludedunlessfallsonaSunday
orpublicholiday
Willbeappliedwhereotherlegislationdoesnotmentiontime.
S4isnotapplicabletheordinarycivilmethodapplies.
onlytodays,notmonthsoryears
appliedifnoarrangementinlegislature
Brownvs.Manpowerifclearsec4tobeuseddetermineendandnotbeginningofperiod
Commonlawsmethods:
i)
Computatiocivilis:(Ordinary/civilmethod):
1stdayincluded&lastdayexcludedoppositetostatutorymethods
PoliceVSDeBeeraccidentandhad6monthstoinstituteaclimesummonsarrived1daylateaction
refused
ii)
Computationaturalis:(Naturalmethod):
Prescribedperiodfromthehour/minoftheoccurrencetothecorrespondinghour/minonthelastdayofthe
periodinquestion
iii)
Computatioextraordinaria:(Extraordinarycivilmethod):
st
The1 &lastdaysareincluded.
Withreferencetocaselawexplainthetextualapproachtostatutoryinterpretation(10)
Themischiefrule:Forrunnerapproachtostatuaryinterpretation
Historicalcontextusedtoplaceprovisioninperspective.
Objectofrule:Toexaminecircumstancesleadingtothemeasureinquestion.
laiddownbyLordCokeinHeydonsCase1584(thecornerstoneofthecontextualapproach).
Rule:Fourquestionstobeansweredtoestablishthemeaningoflegislation:
o Whatwasthelegalpositionbeforethelegislationwasadopted?
o Whatwasthemischief(ordefect)notprovidedforbyexistinglegislation/CommonLaw?
o Whatremedy(solution)wasprovidedbythelegislaturetosolvethisproblem?
o Whatwasthetruereasonfortheremedy?
Purposeofruletoexaminecircumstancesleadingtothemeasureinquestion.
SantamInsuranceLtdvTarylor:CourtwasobligedonaccountofambiguouslanguageusedintheActto
examinehistoricalbackgroundoftheAct.
Page35
QozelenivMinisterofLawandOrder:JudgesuggestedtheapproachtointerprettheConstitutionisnotforeign
tothemischiefrule.
JagavDnges
Facts:During1950sJagacaughtsellingunwroughtgold.
Sentencedtothreemonthsimprisonmentsuspendedforthreeyears.
Actprescribedanypersonwhoissentencedtoimprisonmentforsellingunwroughtmetalmaybe
deported.
Minister,underawarrant,declaredforhisdeportation.
Jagachallengedonthebasishehadnotbeensentenced(physically).
Ministerarguedasuspendedsentenceisstillasentenceofimprisonment.
Legalissue:Howshouldthephrasesentencedtoimprisonmentbeinterpreted?
Finding:
Majorityadoptedatextualapproach.sentencedtoimprisonmentwasgivenitsplainmeaningandmeant
thesentenceimposed,containedaperiodofimprisonment(suspendedornot).
Thewarrantwasthusissued.
Minorityjudgment:SchreinerJA:Adoptedacontextualapproachopposite.
ThisisNBjudgment:Thecontextisnotlimitedtothelanguageoftherestofthestatute,ofmoreimportance
areitsscopeandpurposeanditsbackground.Schreinerinsistedveryfewwordshaveonemeaning;the
meaningisdependentontheircontextalsothemischiefrulethatthelegislationwasdesignedtoremedy.
Schreinerinsistedthepurposeofsuspendedsentencemeanskeepingoffenderinthesocietywhileaiding
hisrehabilitation.Toincludesuspendedsentenceintothemeaningofsentencedtoimprisonmentwould
notservetheaimofthelegislation.
Schreineralsoarguedthetextualapproachshouldhaveledtothesameconclusionasabove.Usingthe
commonlawpresumptionthatlegislativeprovisionmustbeinterpretedinfavourofindividualfreedom:
thereforedeportationonlywhereunconditionallysentenced.
Schrinerminorityjudgementidentifiedguidelinesforinterpretationofstatues:
Page36
CASESTHATAREIMPORTANT
PublicCarriersAssociationvTollRoadConcessionaries
Facts:AsectionoftheN3betweenJhbandDurbanwasdeclaredatollroadintermsofSec9(1)oftheNational
RoadsAct.Section9(3)notollroadunlessanalternativeroadtotheintendedtollroad,alongwhichthesame
destinationordestinationsmaybereachedisavailabletoroadusers.Thealternativeroadoverlappedthetoll
roadforadistanceof79km,butbypassedtheentiretollgate.Associationofpublicroadcarrierssaidthata
properalternativeroadwasnotavailableasperSection9(3)andthattheanalternativeroadmeansan
alternativeroadwayandnotanalternativeroutemeaningtwophysicallyseparateroadways.Thetollroad
operatorsarguedthatalternativeroadmeansanalternativeroute.Inthissensetworoads(orroutes)are
alternativeroads,eventhoughpartsofthemarecommontoboth.
PublicCarriesAssociationVSTollRoadConcessionariesheldthateventhoughtheintentionofleisltuareis
theprimaryruleofinterpretation,itmustbeacceptedthattheliteralinterpretationprincipleisfirmly
entrenchedinourlaw.
Purposewastoensurethatroaduserswhowantedtousearoadwithoutthetollfeesbeprovidedwithan
alternativeroad/routeandnotanalternativeroadway.
Legalissue:Howshouldthephraseanalternativeroadisinterpreted?
Finding:Lasttextualapproachbeforetheintroductionofthenewconstitutionalorder.Thepurposeofthe
legislationcouldsolveinterpretationproblems,whenthetextualapproachcouldnot.Courtpartiallyrecognised
purposiveortextincontextapproach,butrestrictedittocaseswherethetextualapproachhadfailed.Thecase
providesabridgebetweentheoldtextualapproachandthenewcontextualapproach.
CourtheldinfavouroftheTollRoadOperatorsitappliedtherulesoftextualapproachtoseetheintentionof
legislaturetakingintoconsiderationtheirordinarygrammaticalmeaning,unlessthiswouldleadtoan
absurditylegislaturecouldnothavecontemplated.Courtuseddictionarytogetaclearmeaningfortheterms
roadandalternativeonlytofindthatthewordsarenotlimitedtoasingleordinarygrammaticalmeaningas
itcouldmeanaadifferentroadway(association)oradifferentroute(tolloperators)
CourtusedsecondaryaidsoftextualinterpretationwhichdidnothelpthenturnedtoCommonLaw
presumptionsbutthisdidnotgiveclearguidelinesofwhentheintentionofthelegislaturewas.
Courtthenhadtolookatthepurposeoftheprovisionadaptedtheinterpretationwhichbestservesthe
purpose.Thepurposeofsec9(3)wastoensurethatroaduseswhowishtoreachthesamedestinationcould
dosowithoutpayingthetollfeesCourtheldthatanalternativeroadmeantanalternativerouteandnot
analternativeroadway.ItwasfoundunnecessarytohaveaseparateroadtoachievetheobjectiveoftheAct,
butrathertohaveanotherwaytopassthetollswithoutpaying.CourtheldthetherelevantportionoftheN3as
atollroadwasvalid.
JagavDnges
Facts:During1950sJagacaughtsellingunwroughtgold.
Sentencedtothreemonthsimprisonmentsuspendedforthreeyears.
Actprescribedanypersonwhoissentencedtoimprisonmentforsellingunwroughtmetalmaybe
deported.
Minister,underawarrant,declaredforhisdeportation.
Jagachallengedonthebasishehadnotbeensentenced(physically).
Ministerarguedasuspendedsentenceisstillasentenceofimprisonment.
Legalissue:Howshouldthephrasesentencedtoimprisonmentbeinterpreted?
Finding:
Majorityadoptedatextualapproach.Sentencedtoimprisonmentwasgivenitsplainmeaningandmeant
thesentenceimposed,containedaperiodofimprisonment(suspendedornot).
Thewarrantwasthusissued.
Page37
Minorityjudgment:SchreinerJA:Adoptedacontextualapproachopposite.
ThisisNBjudgment:Thecontextisnotlimitedtothelanguageoftherestofthestatute,ofmoreimportanceis
itsscopeandpurposeanditsbackground.Schreinerinsistedveryfewwordshaveonemeaning,themeaningis
dependentontheircontextalsothemischiefrulethatthelegislationwasdesignedtoremedy.
Schreinerinsistedthepurposeofsuspendedsentencemeanskeepingoffenderinthesocietywhileaiding
hisrehabilitation.Toincludesuspendedsentenceintothemeaningofsentencedtoimprisonmentwould
notservetheaimofthelegislation.
Schreineralsoarguedthetextualapproachshouldhaveledtothesameconclusionasabove.Usingthe
commonlawpresumptionthatlegislativeprovisionmustbeinterpretedinfavourofindividualfreedom:
thereforedeportationonlywhereunconditionallysentenced.
Schrinerminorityjudgementidentifiedguidelinesforinterpretationofstatues:
InJagavDongesNBofcontextualframeworkjudgeSchreinarejectedthenarrowviewandarguedevenif
thereisaclearmeaningthecontextmustbetakenintoaccount.
BatoStarFishing(Pty)LtdvMinisterofEnvironmentalAffairsandTourism
Facts:AmountoffishcaughtislimitedbyquotasystemdeterminedbytheMinisterofEnviroAffairs&
Tourism
Section2MarineLivingResourcesAct:objective:sustainabledevelopment,furtherbiodiversitytohave
sustainabledevelopmentandtorestructurethefishingindustrytogetequality
Ministertomakequotasthatconfirmtheobjectivesofsection2oftheAct.
Batoarguedtheirquotatoosmallwantedthequotationsetaside
CaseturnedonquestionwhethertheMinisterdidhaveregardtotheobjectivestobringequalityinthe
fishingindustry.(Thephrasehasregardtotobeinterpreted).
Legalissue:Howshouldthephrasehaveregardtobeinterpreted?
Finding:SCA:
Textualistapproachtodeterminemeaningofhaveregardedto.Lookedathowthecourtshaveapplied
thisovertheyears:result:meanttotakeintoconsideration.
MeaningtheMinisterhadtotaketheprincipleofequalitymentioninsection2intoconsiderationbutnot
aspecialconcern.
Ministerdidnothavetochangethefishingindustrywhenallocatingquotasquotasthereforevalid
BatoappealedtoCC:claimingthattheSupremeCourtofAppealhadinterpretedthephrasehaveregard
toincorrectly.Arguedthatthephrasehaveregardtoequitynotonlymeantthatequityshouldbe
takenintoaccount(astheordinarymeaningofthewordssuggests),butthatequityshouldbepromoted
astheoverridingconcern.Thisalternativemeaningissuggestedbythecontextinwhichthephrase
operates.TheConstitutionalCourtagreed.
JudgeNgcobo:NolongerthetextualmeaningthatmustbeappliedbutthevaluesoftheConstitution.In
thiscase,thecontextisthatthelegislationiscommittedtoredressingtheimbalancesofthepast.
Confirmstheprimary&goldenrulesoftextualinterpretationdonotapplyinourlawanymore.
S39(2):Impliesevenwherelegislationisclear,interpretermuststilltrytoascribethemeaningthatwould
bestpromotethevaluesintheBillofRights.
Page38
InvestigatingDirectorate:SeriousEconomicOffencesvHyundaiDistributors(Pty)Ltd:InreHyundaiMotor
Distributors(Pty)LtdvSmit
Finding:TheconstitutionalfoundationoftheinterpretationmethodologywasexplainedbyreferringtoSection
39(2)oftheConstitution.Itwasheldtomeanthatalllegislationmustbeinterpretedtopromotethespirit,
purportandobjectsofBillofRights.Therefore,wheninterpretingtheConstitution,thecontextinwhichwefind
ourselvesandtheConstitutionsgoalofsocietybasedondemocraticvalues,socialjusticeandfundamental
humanrightsmustberecognised.Theconstitutionalventureis,asawhole,characterisedbythespirit
oftransitionandtransformation.
HolomisavArgusNewspapersLtd
Finding:TheinterpretationclauseoftheConstitutionwasheldtobenotmerelyaninterpretivedirective,but
aforcethatinformsalllegalinstitutionsanddecisionswiththenewpowerofconstitutionalvalues.
NourseVSVanHeerden1999exampleofdemiseoflegislationSec12(2)
Facts:1992agynefromDurbanwaschargeitoAbortionandSterilizationAct2of75forperformingillegal
abortions.Trailstartedon27thNov1992,andwasnotfinalisedin1997.1July1997hisattorneybroughtan
applicationtohavethechargesagainsthisclientdropped,sinceatthatstageabortionswerenolongerillegal
andthereforenocrimewascommittedusedthefollowing:
TheAbortionandSterilisationActonillegalabortionsnotbeappliedsincethemid90sandtherefore
thoseprovisionhavebeenabrogatedbydisuse
TheAbortionandSterilisationActwasrepealedbytheChoiceonTerminationofPregnancyAct92of
1996relatingtoabortion.
Billofrightsonehastherighttomakedecisionsregardingtheirownbodyandreproductivehealth.
Legalissue:Theapplicationofthedemiseoflegislation,Section12(2)oftheInterpretationsAct,as
wellasretrospectively.
Finding:Courtfounditcouldnotbeabrogatedbydisuseandmustberepealedbycompetentlegislature.The
Exitinglegislationremainsinforceuntilrepealedordeclaredunconstitutional.
ThetrialstartedbeforetherepealoftheAbortionActanditosec12oftheInterpretationactthetrialmustbe
completedasiftheAbortionActwasneverrepealed.The96Constitutionwasinforceon4Feb19997andthe
abortionactwasneverdeclaredunconstitutional.
NationalCoalitionforgayandlesbianEqualityVSMinisterofHomeAffairs2000
Facts:Constitutionalityofsection25(5)ofAlienControlActallowsthespouseorchildofapersonwith
permanentresidencetoimmigratetoSAtojointheirspouseorchildgay&lesbianswerenotallowedtouse
thissectionunfairdiscriminationCCstruckdownthesection25(5)andreadinginwasusedaftertheword
spousethiswasaddedorpartnerinpermanentsamesexlifepartnership
FindingofCC:
ReadinginmustbeconsistentwiththeConstitution
Resultsofreadinginmusthavelittleinterferencewithexistinglawsaspossible
CourtmustbeabletodefinehowthemeaningshouldbemodifiedtocomplywiththeConstitution
Courtmusttrykeeptotheaim&purposeoftheact
Readingincantbeusedifwillresultinunsupportablebudgetaryintrusion
Judgement:ItwasheldthattheconstitutionaldefectinSection25(5)canbecuredwithsufficientprecisionby
readinginafterthewordspousethefollowingwords:orpartner,inapermanentsamesexlifepartnership
andthatitshouldindeedbecuredinthismanner.
SvKohler
Page39
WeenenMunicipality
Facts:Politicalpartycancontestalocalelectionifgavenoticeofintentiontocontestandpaydepositbefore
deadline.Noticewasgivenbutdepositnotpaid.Electoralcommissionrefusedtoregistercausedepositwasnot
paidcausetheysaiditwasanperemptoryprovision,whilethemunicipalitysaiditwasadirectoryprovision.
Finding:CCheldthattheACDPhad(substantially)compliedwiththeprovisionsandorderedtheCommissionto
registerthepartyfortheCapeTownelections.
procedurewasperemptoryanddirectory(substantial)provisionandthattheMunicipalityhadtocomplywith
thethreenotices.
ExparteDow
Facts:1984,marriagesolemnisedbymarriageofficerataprivatelyownedresidentialinfrontgardenandnotin
pvtdwellinghouseasperMarriageAct.Husbandwantedmarriagedeclarednullandvoidastherequirements
wasnotcompliedwith.
Finding:Courtheldthatthemarriagewaslegalandthathewouldhavetofollowthenormaldivorce
proceedingsThefactthatthestatutoryrequirementwasignoredandthatthemarriagetookplaceinagarden
didntinanywayaffectthevalidityofthemarriage.
RvForlee
Facts:ForleewasfoundguiltyofcontraveninganActbysellingopium.Arguedonappealthathedidntcommit
anoffenceastheActprescribednopunishment.Legalissue:Thepresumptionthatlegislationdoesntcontain
futileornugatoryprovisions
Finding:Thecourtreliedonthepresumptionagainstfutility,findingthattheabsenceofapenalclausedidnt
rendertheActineffective,sincethecourthasthediscretiontoimposepunishment.Widespreadcriticismasthe
nullumcrimensinelege(nopenalty,nocrime)wasnotadheredto.Althoughbothpresumptionsapplied,the
nullumcrimensinelegeruleisthebasisofthecriminaljusticesystemandshouldhaveoutrankedthe
presumptionagainstfutileresults.Thepresumptionappliestodelegatedlegislation.Themaximutresmagis
valeatquampereatapplies:aninterpretationthatwillleavethedelegatedlegislationintravires(valid)andnot
ultravires(invalid)shouldbeapplied.Legislationshouldbeinterpretedinsuchawaythatacasusomissus
(omission)isavoided.
Page40

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