SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate understanding of the criminal justice system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120489  Demonstrate understanding of the criminal justice system 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Visible Policing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  9 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
11979  Identify and apply relevant knowledge on applicable law related to policing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  9   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners in the field of law enforcement who demonstrate understanding of the criminal justice system.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assess law as one of the systems utilized in a policing environment.
  • Identify which source of law is applicable to a given scenario.
  • Describe the hierarchical system of the court structure in South Africa.
  • Describe the criminal justice system in terms of the position of the organization within the system.
  • Apply the human rights principles of South African law on a given case study. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Communication at NQF level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assess law as one of the systems utilized in a policing environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Systems refer to but are not limited to:
  • Law
  • Criminal justice system
  • Police policies and procedures 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for a legal system is explained within a policing environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of law is evaluated in a policing context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the source of law. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Sources of South African law refers to but is not limited to:
  • Common law
  • Decided cases (precedent)
  • Customary law and
  • Statutory law 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different sources of law are identified in a South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Aspects of sources of law are described in terms of their relevance in a policing environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Discuss the hierarchical system of the court structure in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The court structures are explained within a South African context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Structure of the court refer to:
  • Constitutional Court
  • Supreme Court of Appeal
  • Higher Court, Regional
  • District Courts
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The jurisdiction of the courts. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Discuss the role of the police in the criminal justice system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Key role players within the criminal justice system are compared in terms of their roles and responsibilities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship between role players within the criminal justice system is explained within a South African context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Apply the rights set out in Chapter 2 of the Constitution on a case study. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The interaction between the Constitution and other legislation is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of Chapter 2 of the Constitution is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The application of the limitation clause contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of Chapter 2 of the Constitution is explained in terms of how police powers are influenced. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Legal system
  • The application of the law
  • Historical development and role of law
  • Sources of law
  • Hierarchical court structure in South Africa
  • The jurisdiction of the courts
  • The criminal justice system
  • Roles and responsibilities of key role-players within the Criminal Justice System
  • Relationship between the Criminal Justice System role-players
  • Chapter 2 of the Constitution 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 11979, ' Identify and apply relevant knowledge on applicable law related to policing ', Level 5, 9 credits.

    Specified requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal
  • The Constitution of South Africa
  • The Criminal Procedure Act
  • The South African Police Service Act

    Specifications, agreements and policies and procedures
  • Standing Orders and National Instructions 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57651   National Certificate: Forensic Science  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Fundamental  50102   National Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Fundamental  50122   National Certificate: Policing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-12-31  SAS SETA 
    Elective  62289   Further Education and Training Certificate: Road Traffic Law Enforcement  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 
    Elective  61729   National Diploma: Policing  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. BROOKLYN CITY COLLEGE (PTY) LTD RUSTENBURG CAMPUS 
    2. CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY 
    3. CITY OF JOHANNESBURG METROPOLITAN POLICE : FIREARM SERVICES 
    4. DAM SCHOOL OF POLICING 
    5. DURBAN METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING COLLEGE 
    6. EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY 
    7. HJN POLOKWANE BRANCH PTY LTD 
    8. HJN TRAINING CC 
    9. Josmap Training Institute 
    10. KWAZULU NATAL TRAFFIC TRAINING COLLEGE 
    11. MAGNUM SHOOTING ACADEMY 
    12. MANGAUNG TRAFFIC COLLEGE 
    13. PORT ELIZABETH TRAFFIC COLLEGE 
    14. ROAD TRAFFIC MANGEMENT CORPORATION 
    15. SAPS OPERATIONAL VEHICLE AND SUPPORT ACADEMY BENONI 
    16. SAPS TRAINING INSTITUTE - MOLOTO 
    17. SBV SERVICES MIDRAND 
    18. SBV SERVICES POLOKWANE 
    19. SHEPPERD ACADEMY 
    20. SOUTH AFRICA POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY: MANKWE 
    21. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE 
    22. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY - PAARL 
    23. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION 
    24. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION GRAA 
    25. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION OUDS 
    26. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION PHIL 
    27. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION PRETORIA WEST 
    28. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE IN SERVICE TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION 
    29. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION BISHO 
    30. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION BISHOP LAVIS 
    31. South African Police Service: George 
    32. STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS AND SEMINARS 
    33. TSHWANE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT ACADEMY 
    34. UBUNTU 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.