Africa Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR)

Latest News

African Court declares vagrancy offences are incompatible with the African Charter and other key regional human rights instruments.

On 4 December 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights unanimously ... On 4 December 2020, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights unanimously held that vagrancy laws and related by-laws are incompatible with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women.

Dec 07, 2020

South Africa's High Court orders state to ensure police and soldiers act within the law under Disaster Management Act regulations

On 10 April 2020, Mr Collins Khosa was brutalised, tortured and murdered in his ... On 10 April 2020, Mr Collins Khosa was brutalised, tortured and murdered in his own home by security forces deployed to enforce South Africa's Disaster Management Act ("lockdown") regulations. The family of Mr Khosa brought an application to court to attempt to ensure such brutality does not happen again. The court ordered the Minister and various agencies of state to take a range of preventative measures. The state was ordered to pay costs.

May 15, 2020

Prisons, overcrowding and preventing Covid-19 transmission

Over 163,000 people are in correctional facilities in South Africa. Outbreaks of ... Over 163,000 people are in correctional facilities in South Africa. Outbreaks of Covid-19 in these prisons can have catastrophic consequences for both prisoners and the public healthcare system.

Apr 30, 2020

ACJR Publications

Fact Sheet 9: Failing to discipline in SAPS

Recent media reports showed again how police officials grossly misused their pow ... Recent media reports showed again how police officials grossly misused their power and, against departmental prescripts, used a 'sjambok' to assault a man for apparently not wearing a mask. Such reports are not isolated and have a very direct impact on trust in the police and thus the legitimacy of the police. The core of the problem seems to be twofold (1) that SAPS managers are not enforcing the internal disciplinary code, and (2) the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) very rarely prosecutes police officials, especially for human rights violations. We have updated ACJR Fact sheet 9 (originally published in February 2019) with statistics for the past two financial years and it appears that the situation has worsened. This does not bode well for general trust in the state and specifically in the police. There is little sense in tough talk about law enforcement when the police themselves are not being held accountable and increasingly regarded as hostile to the general public.

Jan 28, 2021

Folha Informativa 15 (Port.): Policiamento Democrático: Um Quadro Conceptual

Esta folha informativa discute o policiamento democrático como significando: (1 ... Esta folha informativa discute o policiamento democrático como significando: (1) a obediência da Polícia ao Estado de Direito, (2) a responsabilização da Polícia, e (3) a justiça processual por parte da Polícia ao serviço do público. Nove dimensões necessárias ao policiamento democrático são identificadas, sendo que o resultado final pretendido é a confiança pública na Polícia, algo que resulta da sua legitimidade. O quadro conceptual apresentado não se destina apenas a descrever o policiamento democrático, mas também a orientar o planeamento estratégico nas organizações policiais, incluindo a Polícia da República de Moçambique (PRM).

Jan 24, 2021

ACJR Specific Submission 2 on the draft SAPS Amendment Bill

This submission considers a selection of the provisions of the draft SAPS Bill 2 ... This submission considers a selection of the provisions of the draft SAPS Bill 2020 affecting local and provincial government.

Nov 26, 2020

ACJR General Submission 1 on the draft SAPS Amendment Bill

This submission deals with two issues (1) Coordination across the criminal justi ... This submission deals with two issues (1) Coordination across the criminal justice system (2) Priorities for reform in SAPS as they pertain to the draft SAPS Amendment Bill 2020.

Nov 26, 2020

Events

The one-year ‘unwanted anniversary’ of COVID-19 restrictions: Reviewing the 2020 lockdown

26 March 2021: This webinar reviews the imposition of a “hard” lockdown on 2 ... 26 March 2021: This webinar reviews the imposition of a “hard” lockdown on 26 March 2020 by the South African government. It forms part of a series on the "unwanted anniversary" from the various units of the Dullah Omar Institute. This webinar focuses on the balancing of rights and the use of the criminal justice system in imposing restrictions in South Africa.

Mar 19, 2021

Review of the 2019/20 Annual Report of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

17 March 2021: This webinar will review the 2019/2020 Annual Report of the Natio ... 17 March 2021: This webinar will review the 2019/2020 Annual Report of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Mar 10, 2021

Review of South Africa's Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services Annual Report 2019/2021

3 March 2021: This webinar will review South Africa's Judicial Inspectorate for ... 3 March 2021: This webinar will review South Africa's Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services' Annual Report 2019/2021.

Mar 01, 2021

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