Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society

Structure and Functioning of SA Criminal Justice System Training

SAQA US 255761 | NQF 4 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure and functioning of the South African criminal justice system. Participants will gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of key institutions, the legislative framework, and the processes from reporting a crime to post-trial procedures. The aim is to equip learners with practical knowledge to navigate and engage with the system effectively.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the structure of the South African criminal justice system, including the roles of the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, courts, and correctional services.
  • Explain the legislative framework governing the criminal justice process, including the Criminal Procedure Act and relevant constitutional provisions.
  • Analyze the flow of a criminal case from reporting and investigation through to trial, sentencing, and post-sentencing procedures.
  • Evaluate the rights of victims, accused persons, and witnesses within the criminal justice process.
  • Apply knowledge of the criminal justice system to identify challenges and propose improvements for effective service delivery.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for legal professionals, law enforcement officers, social workers, community leaders, and anyone seeking a foundational understanding of the South African criminal justice system.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

Objectives:
• Define the criminal justice system and its key components.
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• Describe the structure and functions of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
• Outline the hierarchy and jurisdiction of South African courts.
• Understand the role of the Department of Correctional Services.

Topics:
• Overview of the criminal justice system
• The South African Police Service (SAPS): structure and functions
• The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA): mandate and processes
• The court system: Magistrates' Courts, High Courts, Supreme Court of Appeal, Constitutional Court
• The Department of Correctional Services: role in rehabilitation and reintegration
• Key legislation: Criminal Procedure Act, Constitution of South Africa

Day 2: Pre-Trial and Trial Procedures

Objectives:
• Explain the arrest and bail process.
• Describe the pre-trial procedures including charge sheets and indictments.
• Understand the trial process from arraignment to verdict.
• Identify the rights of the accused and victims.
• Discuss the role of legal representation.

Topics:
• Arrest procedures and rights of the accused
• Bail applications and considerations
• Charge sheets, indictments, and plea bargaining
• The trial process: arraignment, plea, examination of witnesses
• Rights of the accused: fair trial, legal representation
• Victim empowerment and participation
• Sentencing options: imprisonment, fines, correctional supervision

Day 3: Post-Trial and Correctional Services

Objectives:
• Describe the appeals process and grounds for appeal.
• Explain the role of correctional services in rehabilitation.
• Understand parole and probation systems.
• Discuss reintegration and community corrections.
• Identify challenges in the correctional system.

Topics:
• Appeals and reviews: process and outcomes
• The Department of Correctional Services: facilities and programmes
• Rehabilitation and treatment programmes
• Parole: eligibility, conditions, and revocation
• Probation and community corrections
• Reintegration into society: halfway houses, aftercare
• Challenges: overcrowding, recidivism, resources

Day 4: Specialised Courts and Role Players

Objectives:
• Identify specialised courts and their functions.
• Explain the role of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
• Describe the functions of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
• Understand the role of the Public Protector and Chapter 9 institutions.
• Discuss the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the system.

Topics:
• Specialised courts: sexual offences, children's courts, commercial crimes courts
• The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks)
• The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)
• The Public Protector and Chapter 9 institutions
• NGOs and community-based organisations in criminal justice
• Inter-agency cooperation and information sharing
• Role of private security in the justice system

Day 5: Current Issues and Reform in the Criminal Justice System

Objectives:
• Analyse current challenges facing the criminal justice system.
• Discuss reform initiatives and policy developments.
• Evaluate the impact of technology on criminal justice.
• Understand the importance of restorative justice.
• Apply knowledge to case studies and scenarios.

Topics:
• Current challenges: case backlogs, corruption, violence against women and children
• Reform initiatives: integrated justice system, case management systems
• Technology: electronic monitoring, forensic databases, cybercrime
• Restorative justice: processes and benefits
• Case studies: applying the criminal justice process
• Future trends and legislative amendments
• Professional ethics and accountability

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Fri 23 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Sep 2027 Fri 10 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,916 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,863 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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