Victory for Vanderbijlpark students as they win NWU Juta mock trials

A team of second-year students from the Faculty of Law on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) are this year’s winners in the popular annual NWU Juta Mock Trial competition that took place in Potchefstroom on 15 August.

Omphemetse Malebese, France Richia, Ayanda Sibisi and Tsitsi Sithole walked away with the first prize valued at R30,000. The exciting final, which returned to the in-person format after it had to be hosted virtually last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, was attended by an enthusiastic crowd that included members of the judiciary, National Prosecuting Authority, advocates, attorneys and staff and students from the NWU.

The proceedings were rounded off with top-class entertainment. The final standoff was between two teams – the second-years from the Vanderbijlpark Campus, representing the state, and a third-year group from the Potchefstroom Campus, representing the defence. They had to argue a case with two charges; a count of common assault and one of crimen injuria. The presiding judges, Judge President Ronald Hendricks of the North West High Court and Judge André Petersen, found in favour of the state on count 1 – guilty but acquitted the accused on the second count.

Judge President Ronald Hendricks said although one team was victorious, everyone who participated was a winner. “I know you have learnt a lot – even if it was just how to conduct yourself in a court set-up. That is very important because nowadays, counsel, including attorneys, do not know how to conduct themselves properly in court or display the necessary respect to the court and colleagues. I need not mention examples; it is even on television.” Judge Petersen commended both teams for the way they approached the case.

“It was refreshing for us to see students at second- and third-year level being able to lay a basis for the case. We sometimes have practitioners in court still struggling to lay a proper basis.”
Dr Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, said the event talks about the vibrancy of the NWU. “It speaks of our objectives to produce very well-rounded students. Our Faculty of Law provides quality education. It undertakes focused research and is involved in community engagement. Our goal is to equip law students with the knowledge, ethics and skills they need in their professional lives.”

He said the mock trials are an instrument and platform where lecturers share their expertise with the student community. It further entails problem-based and work-directed learning that provide the students with practical examples and simulated exercises. It is evident that much preparation and hard work went into this. The faculty has succeeded in cross-campus initiatives where students from all three sites of delivery get the opportunity to engage on issues like diversity and social justice.”

Adv. René Koraan, director of Professional Development and Community Engagement and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law on the Potchefstroom Campus, thanked Juta for their continued support of the NWU’s mock trial competition. “We should never underestimate the impact of such competitions and workshops on the development of young aspiring lawyers,” she concluded.