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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply general principles of the doctrine of common purpose 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
421860  Apply general principles of the doctrine of common purpose 
ORIGINATOR
QCTO Task Team - Legal Education and Training 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Justice in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  NQF Level 05  8 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners in the field of prosecuting to demonstrate their understanding of the participation of a number of people in the commission of a crime.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Distinguish between the three categories of persons who may be involved in the commission of a crime.
  • Describe the principles relating to perpetrators.
  • Describe the principles of the doctrine of common purpose.
  • Analyse the requirements for liability as an accomplice.
  • Determine the connection between an accessory after the fact and intention. 
    		•

    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 
    Distinguish between the three categories of persons who may be involved in the commission of a crime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term crime is defined in accordance with the Criminal Procedures Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The terms perpetrators, accomplices and accessories after the fact are defined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The difference between a participant and an accessory after the fact is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principle of promoting the commission of a crime before it is completed is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principle of indirect perpetrators is explained in accordance with the principle of common purpose. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the principles relating to perpetrators. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The conduct of the perpetrator is explained in a manner that satisfies all the requirements for liability as contained in the definition of a crime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The imputing of a person who acted with one or more persons is explained according to the principles relating to common purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The existence of co-perpetrators is described in accordance with the principle of participation in the commission of a crime. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principle of making use of a human or non-human agent to effect the commission of a crime is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the principles of the doctrine of common purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The imputing of the conduct of each person who has a common purpose to commit a crime to others is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The imputing of the conduct of a person who has committed a crime to that of another person who, while having not been involved in the commission of the crime, foresaw the possibility that a crime may be committed and reconciled him/herself to that possibility is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The exclusion of negligence in imputing the conduct of each person who has a common purpose to commit a crime is described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    The requirements for liability as an accomplice in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act are analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The individual accused and the active association with the common purpose is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The requirement of presence at the scene of the crime is analysed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The requirements for one to be determined an accomplice are described in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The principle of committing an act which amounts to a furthering of a committed crime by somebody else is explained in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The principle of intention is explained in accordance with the principles in the doctrine of common purpose. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Determine the connection between an accessory after the fact and intention. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The principle of assisting the perpetrator to evade liability is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principle of intention is described as it applies to the accessory after the fact. 


    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 QCTO.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the QCTO.
  • 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 QCTO.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the QCTO. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • General requirement for criminal liability.
  • Relationship between the concepts "act", omission" and "conduct".
  • Compliance with the definitional elements.
  • The concept of unlawfulness.
  • Requirements of culpability in general. 
    		•

    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 used. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team in applying the principles of the doctrine of common purpose. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  90657   National Certificate: Prosecuting  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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.
     
    NONE 


    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.