Kgathi laments road carnage in budget

Review of the Penal Code

The Ministry has commenced the review of the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. The review will ensure that the provisions of the law relating to criminal procedure and evidence are brought in line with the current developments and the new emerging crimes. This review was also motivated by public feedback which strongly suggested that the Acts should be revised to address issues like the age of consent and the introduction of stiffer penalties for child abuse, defilement, domestic violence and rape. Other amendments which will be considered in the review of both Acts, include the offences of hostage taking and environmental crimes as well as predicate offences to money-laundering, terrorism and the financing of terrorism.