, CRW2603 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
1. Introduction
The doctrine of common purpose is a legal tool used in serious crimes like murder and
rape. It provides a basis for holding individuals criminally responsible when they
participate in a crime together, even when not every participant personally performs the
act that produces the unlawful consequence. The doctrine recognises that criminal
conduct can take place through cooperation between several people who share a
common unlawful objective. The Constitutional Court explained that the doctrine allows
the conduct of one participant in a joint criminal enterprise to be attributed to other
participants who have associated themselves with the common purpose (Thebus para
18). The doctrine is therefore particularly relevant where criminal activity involves several
participants whose individual contributions may differ.
2. The Doctrine of Common Purpose
Common purpose is based on the principle that individuals who deliberately participate
in a joint criminal enterprise may be held responsible for the offence committed in
pursuit of that enterprise. The doctrine does not require every participant to perform
exactly the same act. Instead, liability can arise when an accused person associates with
the common unlawful purpose and participates in its execution (Thebus para 18).
The Constitutional Court explained that common purpose may arise in circumstances
where participants have previously agreed to commit an offence. It may also arise where
there is no established prior agreement, but an individual nevertheless actively
associates with the conduct of others who are pursuing a common criminal objective
DUE DATE: AUGUST 2026
1. Introduction
The doctrine of common purpose is a legal tool used in serious crimes like murder and
rape. It provides a basis for holding individuals criminally responsible when they
participate in a crime together, even when not every participant personally performs the
act that produces the unlawful consequence. The doctrine recognises that criminal
conduct can take place through cooperation between several people who share a
common unlawful objective. The Constitutional Court explained that the doctrine allows
the conduct of one participant in a joint criminal enterprise to be attributed to other
participants who have associated themselves with the common purpose (Thebus para
18). The doctrine is therefore particularly relevant where criminal activity involves several
participants whose individual contributions may differ.
2. The Doctrine of Common Purpose
Common purpose is based on the principle that individuals who deliberately participate
in a joint criminal enterprise may be held responsible for the offence committed in
pursuit of that enterprise. The doctrine does not require every participant to perform
exactly the same act. Instead, liability can arise when an accused person associates with
the common unlawful purpose and participates in its execution (Thebus para 18).
The Constitutional Court explained that common purpose may arise in circumstances
where participants have previously agreed to commit an offence. It may also arise where
there is no established prior agreement, but an individual nevertheless actively
associates with the conduct of others who are pursuing a common criminal objective
