By Alisha Naik, Candidate Attorney and Simone Jansen van Rensburg, Associate
Introduction
Since the implementation of the national lockdown (“Lockdown”) as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, certain contraventions of the Regulations (“Lockdown laws”) governing the Lockdown have created new criminal offences for which an individual may be criminally charged and convicted. South Africa, more so than many other countries that have been affected by the pandemic, has had its fair share of transgressors that have been arrested for alleged contravention of the Lockdown laws. Nevertheless, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act 108 of 1996 (“the Constitution”) ensures that arrested persons have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty through conviction by a court of law, the right to a fair trial and the right to remain silent. In light of these rights, arrested persons have the right to be released from detention if the interests of justice so permit.
Overview
This article is intended to act as a general guide to the reader on the different forms of bail applications provided for in the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 (“CPA”) that an accused may be eligible for after having been arrested.
Contravention of lockdown laws
Persons arrested for contravention of the lockdown laws are charged with a minor offence, similar to the offences contemplated in Schedule 1 of the CPA and are eligible for police bail, further explained below. In terms of the Directive issued by the Department on 2 June 2020 (“the Directive”), an accused person that is arrested for a “petty offence” during the declaration of a National State of Disaster must be released and warned to appear in court on a future date, unless the matter can be finalised at the first appearance. The intention of this Directive is to limit the number of people in holding cells at police stations and in prisons – in an attempt to combat the spread of the virus and adhere to social distancing measures currently in place. However, in this instance, the police still have 48 hours to charge an individual and, as such, an arrested person may still be required to spend up to 48 hours in a holding cell.
Police Bail
Police Bail enables an arrested person to apply for bail at the police station before the expiration of 48 hours from the time of arrest and is applicable before the accused’s first appearance in court. This type of bail may be granted by any police official of the rank of inspector or higher and is generally applicable in relation to minor offences (i.e. theft to the value of less than R2 500.00 and common assault). Police Bail does not apply to serious common-law and statutory offences as listed, for example, in Part II & III of Schedule 2 to the CPA (i.e. treason, sedition, murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, fraud, drug related offences etc).
Police Bail is set at a monetary value payable in cash only. It is important to note that the police must grant the arrested person a reasonable opportunity to communicate with a legal representative, friend or family member in order to obtain the amount fixed as Police Bail.
Prosecutor Bail
Prosecutor Bail (or Prosecutorial Bail), like Police Bail, can be applied for prior to the arrested person making their first appearance in court. A prosecutor, under the authorisation of the Director of Public Prosecutions, may release arrested persons on bail after consultation with the investigating officer. Prosecutor Bail is mainly applicable to more serious offences as listed in Schedule 7 (i.e. public violence, culpable homicide, arson, bestiality or robbery where amount involved does not exceed R20 000.00).
Bail applications in court
An arrested person can apply for bail upon their first appearance or at any time before conviction, if the interests of justice so permit. The court shall, of its own accord, enquire from arrested persons if they wish for bail to be considered if the issue is not raised by the prosecution or the arrested person at their first court appearance.
In terms of the CPA, when an arrested person is charged with more serious offences (i.e. schedule 5 and 6 offences include offences of theft and fraud where the value is in excess of R500 000.00, murder, rape and robbery etc), after hours bail cannot be applied for and bail will only be decided upon when the arrested person appears in court. Additionally, if the individual has been previously arrested for an offence and the arrested person has a pending charge against them, the arrested person will be required to bring a formal bail application in court.
The interests of justice will most likely favour the arrested persons release on bail if the following circumstances do not exist: There is likelihood that if released, the arrested person will –
• endanger the safety of the public or any particular person or commit a schedule 1 offence;
• attempt to evade trial;
• attempt to influence or intimidate witnesses or conceal or destroy evidence;
• undermine or jeopardise the objectives or proper functioning of the criminal justice system including the bail system; or
• disturb public order or undermine public peace or security.
If an individual is charged with an offence listed in Schedule 6, the bail application must set out reasons as to why granting the bail would be in the interests of justice, as well as establishing that exceptional circumstances of the accused warrant the bail being granted. This in turn places a secondary obligation on the accused in terms of a schedule 6 offence.
Conclusion
Covid-19 has brought about a series of new Lockdown laws that, today, seem counter-intuitive and limit our freedom of movement. Uninformed citizens remain at a greater risk of contravening these laws, being arrested and requiring bail. It is for these reasons that we encourage people to remain legally informed and familiarise themselves with the different types of bail. At Schindlers Attorneys, we offer a 24-hour bail service to the public within the Gauteng region and are contactable on 083 631 2023. Know your rights and stay safe.
Please note: this article is for general public information and use. It is not to be considered or construed as legal advice. Each matter must be dealt with on a case by case basis and you should consult an attorney before taking any action contemplated herein.
