In the matter of:
The State
versus
T Makwanyane and M Mchunu
| Heard on: | 15 February to 17 February 1995 |
| Delivered on: | 6 June 1995 |
[1]Chaskalson P: The two accused in this matter were convicted in the Witwatersrand
Local Division of the Supreme Court on four counts of murder, one count of attempted
murder and one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances. They were sentenced
to death on each of the counts of murder and to long terms of imprisonment on the other
counts. They appealed to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the
convictions and sentences. The Appellate Division dismissed the appeals against the
convictions and came to the conclusion that the circumstances of the murders were such
that the accused should receive the heaviest sentence permissible according to law.
[2]Section 277(1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977 prescribes that the death penalty is a competent sentence for murder. Counsel for the accused was invited by the Appellate Division to consider whether this provision was consistent with the Republic of South Africa Constitution, 1993, which had come into force subsequent to the conviction and sentence by the trial court. He argued that it was not, contending that it was in conflict with the provisions of sections 9 and 11(2) of the Constitution.
[3]The Appellate Division dismissed the appeals against the sentences on the counts of attempted murder and robbery, but postponed the further hearing of the appeals against the death sentence until the constitutional issues are decided by this Court. See: S v
