Most shocking court rulings
METRO-Oscar Pistorius and Jub Jub court rulings may have come as a shock to some, but these are certainly not the first high-profile cases were South African judges have ruled against the most popular viewpoints.
South Africa has seen numerous high profile court cases and some of the rulings came as a surprise to the public.
Here are some of the shocking high-profile cases:
- State vs Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius, also known as the blade runner and previously considered South Africa’s golden boy, was recently found guilty of culpable homicide following the death of his then girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
The double-amputee Olympic medallist faced four charges – premeditated murder; firing a shot through an open sunroof; illegal possession of ammunition and firing a shot at a Tasha’s restaurant.
The court found him not guilty on three counts except the latter.
Instead of premeditated murder, the court found him guilty of culpable homicide, stating that Oscar could not have known that the shots will kill the person behind the door.
Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her judgement in the North Gauteng High Court on 12 September,which came as a shock to most people who thought Pistorius was going to be found guilty of murder.
- State vs Maarohanye (‘Jub Jub’)
Following the contentious Pistorius ruling on 8 October, hip-hop artist Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye’s and Themba Tshabalala’s murder convictions were overturned. The Johannesburg High Court converted the sentences to culpable homicide.
They have been sentenced to an effective eight years in jail after the initial life conviction. Four years ago, Jub Jub killed four pupils in Protea Glen while allegedly drag racing and driving under the influence of drugs. They were both found guilty on four counts of murder, which earned them a life sentence.
The pair was also found guilty on three other counts which are attempted murder, reckless driving and driving under the influence of drugs.
The judge altered the four counts of murder to four counts of culpable homicide and set aside the driving under the influence and attempted murder charges.
- State vs Schabir Shaik
Shaik was put on trial for fraud and corruption at the Durban High Court from 11 October 2004. During the course of the trial, Shaik admitted that he falsified his qualifications and business achievements.
Judge Hilary Squires delivered his verdict on 2 June 2005. Shaik was found guilty on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud.
Six days later, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts of corruption, as well as 3 years on the count of fraud.
After numerous appeals on 3 March 2009, Shaik was released on medical parole, after serving two years and four months of his 15-year prison term.
- State vs Jackie Selebi
On 10 September 2007, the National Prosecuting Authority issued a warrant of arrest for Selebi for corruption, fraud, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice. During the trial, convicted drug smuggler Glenn Agliotti told the court that he had paid Selebi over R1.2 million in bribes since the year 2000.
Selebi was found guilty of corruption on 2 July 2010, but not guilty of further charges of defeating the ends of justice.
On 3 August 2010, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Selebi was released on R20 000 bail while his lawyers prepared an appeal. On 2 December 2011, the Supreme Court of Appeal unanimously rejected this appeal. Selebi collapsed at his Waterkloof home while watching the ruling on television. He began his 15-year prison term the following day.
An 11-member medical parole advisory board met on 20 June 2013 and recommended the release of six offenders, including Selebi, who needed dialysis for kidney failure. Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele made the announcement at a press conference in Pretoria. Selebi was released on medical parole, having served just 229 days of his 15-year sentence.
Which court rulings have come as a shock to you?
