CPR3701 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 Due 20 March 2026

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
College of Law


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CPR3701: Criminal Procedure

Assignment 1 — Semester 1, 2026

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CPR3701
Module Code:
Criminal Procedure
Module Name:
[Your Full Name]
Student Name:
[Your Student Number]
Student Number:
Assignment 1
Assignment:
20 March 2026
Due Date:
Semester 1, 2026
Semester:
OSCOLA
Referencing:
University of South Africa (UNISA)
Institution:




Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for Criminal Procedure (CPR3701) — UNISA 2026

,UNISA | CPR3701 Criminal Procedure — Assignment 1



Contents


1 Question 1: Hearsay Evidence and Bail Proceedings 4

1.1 1.1 The General Rule Against Hearsay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1.2 1.2 The Bail Proceedings Context: Section 60 of the CPA . . . . . . . . 4

1.3 1.3 Critical Evaluation of Officer D’s Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1.4 1.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6


2 Question 2: The Validity of a Plea Entered Under Section 109 of the CPA 7

2.1 2.1 The Right to Legal Representation and Adequate Consultation . . . 7

2.2 2.2 The Scope and Preconditions of Section 109 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.3 2.3 Whether M’s Action Constitutes a Material Irregularity . . . . . . . 8

2.4 2.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8


3 Question 3: Seizure of Clothing Under Section 20 of the CPA 9

3.1 3.1 Analysis of the Three Grounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.2 3.2 Why Section 20(a) is the Correct Provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.3 3.3 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10


4 Question 4: Whether the Arrest of A Was Necessary 11

4.1 4.1 Arrest as a Method of Bringing an Accused Before Court . . . . . . 11

4.2 4.2 The “Necessity” Requirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4.3 4.3 Constitutional Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4.4 4.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12


5 Question 5: The NDPP’s Decision to Bring A Before the Supreme Court of Ap-
peal 13

5.1 5.1 The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . 13


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, UNISA | CPR3701 Criminal Procedure — Assignment 1


5.2 5.2 The Correct Court for This Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.3 5.3 The NDPP’s Powers and Their Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5.4 5.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14


6 Question 6: C’s Assertion of the Right to Remain Silent as a Witness 15

6.1 6.1 The Right to Silence and Its Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

6.2 6.2 The Right Against Self-Incrimination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

6.3 6.3 V’s Authority to Question C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

6.4 6.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16


7 Question 7: The Right to Legal Representation Before First Court Appearance 17

7.1 7.1 The Constitutional Right to Legal Representation . . . . . . . . . . . 17

7.2 7.2 The Right to Legal Representation During Detention . . . . . . . . . 17

7.3 7.3 The Implications of V’s Assertion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

7.4 7.4 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18


Table of Cases 19


Table of Legislation 20


Bibliography 21




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