INTERPRETATION OF
STATUTES
I0S2601
,Table of Contents
Question 1 ................................................................................................................................... 4
Answer 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Question 2 ................................................................................................................................... 8
Answer 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Question 3 ................................................................................................................................. 17
Answer 3 .................................................................................................................................... 18
Question 4 ................................................................................................................................. 25
Answer 4 .................................................................................................................................... 25
Question 5 ................................................................................................................................. 25
Answer 5 .................................................................................................................................... 25
Question 6 ................................................................................................................................. 26
Answer 6 .................................................................................................................................... 26
Question 7 ................................................................................................................................. 27
Answer 7 .................................................................................................................................... 27
Question 8 ................................................................................................................................. 27
Answer 8 .................................................................................................................................... 27
Question 9 ................................................................................................................................. 28
Answer 9 .................................................................................................................................... 28
Question 10 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 10 .................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 11 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 11 .................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 12 ............................................................................................................................... 30
Answer 12 .................................................................................................................................. 30
Question 13 ............................................................................................................................... 31
Answer 13 .................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 14 ............................................................................................................................... 31
Answer 14 .................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 15 ............................................................................................................................... 32
Answer 15 .................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 16 ............................................................................................................................... 34
Answer 16 .................................................................................................................................. 34
Question 17 ............................................................................................................................... 35
2|Page
,Answer 17 .................................................................................................................................. 35
Question 18 ............................................................................................................................... 37
Answer 18 .................................................................................................................................. 37
Question 19 ............................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 19 .................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 20 ............................................................................................................................... 40
Answer 20 .................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 21 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 21 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 22 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 22 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 23 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 23 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 24 ............................................................................................................................... 42
Answer 24 .................................................................................................................................. 42
Question 25 ............................................................................................................................... 42
Answer 25 .................................................................................................................................. 42
3|Page
, Question 1
In Geyser v Msunduzi Municipality 2003 (5) SA 19 (N) 32D- E the court emphasised
that “the orthodox primary rule of interpretation is that the courts must give
effect to the literal or grammatical meaning of the legislation, and that deviation
from this rule will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances”.
Write an essay of between four (4) and five (5) pages in which you discuss the
popularity of the textual approach in legal systems influenced by English law, the
criticisms of the orthodox text-based (literal) approach to statutory interpretation
and evaluate whether the statement at 32D-E in Geyser v Msunduzi Municipality
2003 (5) SA 19 (N) reflects the interpretative trend in South Africa post 1994.
Use the following headings to structure your essay:
(1) Introduction (1 mark)
(2) The factors that led to the adoption of the orthodox text-based (literal)
approach in England (4 marks)
(3) The criticisms of the orthodox text-based (literal) approach to statutory
interpretation (6 marks)
(4) The interpretative approach adopted by South African courts post 1994 (15
marks)
(5) The impact of the Constitution (specifically section 39(2)) on statutory
interpretation post 1994; and (20 marks)
(6) Conclusion (4 marks)
Answer 1
Introduction:
The orthodox text –based approach was the predominant approach to the
interpretation is South Africa prior to 1994.However the promulgation of the
supreme Constitution changed the approach of South African courts to statutory
interpretation. In this essay I argue that the statement made in 32D-E in Geyer v
Msunduzi Municipality as it applies to statutory interpretation is correct. The
factors that led to the adoption of the orthodox text-based approach in England.
According to Botha the orthodox text- based approach was adopted in England
due to the following factors which are the misconception about the doctrine of
separation of power and sovereignty of Parliament which resulted in accepting the
4|Page
STATUTES
I0S2601
,Table of Contents
Question 1 ................................................................................................................................... 4
Answer 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Question 2 ................................................................................................................................... 8
Answer 2 ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Question 3 ................................................................................................................................. 17
Answer 3 .................................................................................................................................... 18
Question 4 ................................................................................................................................. 25
Answer 4 .................................................................................................................................... 25
Question 5 ................................................................................................................................. 25
Answer 5 .................................................................................................................................... 25
Question 6 ................................................................................................................................. 26
Answer 6 .................................................................................................................................... 26
Question 7 ................................................................................................................................. 27
Answer 7 .................................................................................................................................... 27
Question 8 ................................................................................................................................. 27
Answer 8 .................................................................................................................................... 27
Question 9 ................................................................................................................................. 28
Answer 9 .................................................................................................................................... 28
Question 10 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 10 .................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 11 ............................................................................................................................... 29
Answer 11 .................................................................................................................................. 29
Question 12 ............................................................................................................................... 30
Answer 12 .................................................................................................................................. 30
Question 13 ............................................................................................................................... 31
Answer 13 .................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 14 ............................................................................................................................... 31
Answer 14 .................................................................................................................................. 31
Question 15 ............................................................................................................................... 32
Answer 15 .................................................................................................................................. 32
Question 16 ............................................................................................................................... 34
Answer 16 .................................................................................................................................. 34
Question 17 ............................................................................................................................... 35
2|Page
,Answer 17 .................................................................................................................................. 35
Question 18 ............................................................................................................................... 37
Answer 18 .................................................................................................................................. 37
Question 19 ............................................................................................................................... 39
Answer 19 .................................................................................................................................. 39
Question 20 ............................................................................................................................... 40
Answer 20 .................................................................................................................................. 40
Question 21 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 21 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 22 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 22 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 23 ............................................................................................................................... 41
Answer 23 .................................................................................................................................. 41
Question 24 ............................................................................................................................... 42
Answer 24 .................................................................................................................................. 42
Question 25 ............................................................................................................................... 42
Answer 25 .................................................................................................................................. 42
3|Page
, Question 1
In Geyser v Msunduzi Municipality 2003 (5) SA 19 (N) 32D- E the court emphasised
that “the orthodox primary rule of interpretation is that the courts must give
effect to the literal or grammatical meaning of the legislation, and that deviation
from this rule will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances”.
Write an essay of between four (4) and five (5) pages in which you discuss the
popularity of the textual approach in legal systems influenced by English law, the
criticisms of the orthodox text-based (literal) approach to statutory interpretation
and evaluate whether the statement at 32D-E in Geyser v Msunduzi Municipality
2003 (5) SA 19 (N) reflects the interpretative trend in South Africa post 1994.
Use the following headings to structure your essay:
(1) Introduction (1 mark)
(2) The factors that led to the adoption of the orthodox text-based (literal)
approach in England (4 marks)
(3) The criticisms of the orthodox text-based (literal) approach to statutory
interpretation (6 marks)
(4) The interpretative approach adopted by South African courts post 1994 (15
marks)
(5) The impact of the Constitution (specifically section 39(2)) on statutory
interpretation post 1994; and (20 marks)
(6) Conclusion (4 marks)
Answer 1
Introduction:
The orthodox text –based approach was the predominant approach to the
interpretation is South Africa prior to 1994.However the promulgation of the
supreme Constitution changed the approach of South African courts to statutory
interpretation. In this essay I argue that the statement made in 32D-E in Geyer v
Msunduzi Municipality as it applies to statutory interpretation is correct. The
factors that led to the adoption of the orthodox text-based approach in England.
According to Botha the orthodox text- based approach was adopted in England
due to the following factors which are the misconception about the doctrine of
separation of power and sovereignty of Parliament which resulted in accepting the
4|Page
