CMY2604
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
QUESTION 1: THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHILD JUSTICE ACT IN RELATION TO
BONGANI’S CASE
1. Introduction
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was enacted to create a separate and rehabilitative
justice system for children in conflict with the law. Recognizing that children are vulnerable
and often commit crimes due to socio-economic circumstances, the Act seeks to balance
accountability with the need for protection and reintegration into society. Unlike traditional
criminal justice approaches that focus on punishment, this Act emphasizes restorative
justice, rehabilitation, and diversionary measures that prevent reoffending (Gallinetti,
2009).
In the case of Bongani, a 12-year-old boy who stole food out of necessity, the principles of
the Child Justice Act are directly applicable. The Act acknowledges the impact of poverty
and personal circumstances on criminal behavior and provides a framework that considers
the child’s well-being, ensuring that incarceration is a last resort. This assignment explores
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1: THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHILD JUSTICE ACT IN RELATION
TO BONGANI’S CASE
1. Introduction
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was enacted to create a separate and rehabilitative
justice system for children in conflict with the law. Recognizing that children are
vulnerable and often commit crimes due to socio-economic circumstances, the Act
seeks to balance accountability with the need for protection and reintegration into
society. Unlike traditional criminal justice approaches that focus on punishment, this
Act emphasizes restorative justice, rehabilitation, and diversionary measures that
prevent reoffending (Gallinetti, 2009).
In the case of Bongani, a 12-year-old boy who stole food out of necessity, the
principles of the Child Justice Act are directly applicable. The Act acknowledges the
impact of poverty and personal circumstances on criminal behavior and provides a
framework that considers the child’s well-being, ensuring that incarceration is a last
resort. This assignment explores how the objectives of the Child Justice Act can be
applied to Bongani’s case and how diversion can serve as a suitable intervention.
2. Application of the Objectives of the Child Justice Act in Bongani’s Case
2.1 Establishing a Separate Justice System for Children
One of the key objectives of the Act is to establish a criminal justice system that is
specifically designed for children, ensuring that they are treated differently from
adults (Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, 2008). In Bongani’s
case, this means that he should not be subjected to harsh punitive measures that
are typically applied to adult offenders. Instead, he should be assessed within the
child justice system, where the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
2.2 Emphasizing Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The Act seeks to rehabilitate and reintegrate child offenders into society, minimizing
the chances of reoffending (Gallinetti, 2009). Since Bongani stole food out of
desperation rather than for criminal intent, punishing him would not address the root
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
QUESTION 1: THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHILD JUSTICE ACT IN RELATION TO
BONGANI’S CASE
1. Introduction
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was enacted to create a separate and rehabilitative
justice system for children in conflict with the law. Recognizing that children are vulnerable
and often commit crimes due to socio-economic circumstances, the Act seeks to balance
accountability with the need for protection and reintegration into society. Unlike traditional
criminal justice approaches that focus on punishment, this Act emphasizes restorative
justice, rehabilitation, and diversionary measures that prevent reoffending (Gallinetti,
2009).
In the case of Bongani, a 12-year-old boy who stole food out of necessity, the principles of
the Child Justice Act are directly applicable. The Act acknowledges the impact of poverty
and personal circumstances on criminal behavior and provides a framework that considers
the child’s well-being, ensuring that incarceration is a last resort. This assignment explores
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1: THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CHILD JUSTICE ACT IN RELATION
TO BONGANI’S CASE
1. Introduction
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was enacted to create a separate and rehabilitative
justice system for children in conflict with the law. Recognizing that children are
vulnerable and often commit crimes due to socio-economic circumstances, the Act
seeks to balance accountability with the need for protection and reintegration into
society. Unlike traditional criminal justice approaches that focus on punishment, this
Act emphasizes restorative justice, rehabilitation, and diversionary measures that
prevent reoffending (Gallinetti, 2009).
In the case of Bongani, a 12-year-old boy who stole food out of necessity, the
principles of the Child Justice Act are directly applicable. The Act acknowledges the
impact of poverty and personal circumstances on criminal behavior and provides a
framework that considers the child’s well-being, ensuring that incarceration is a last
resort. This assignment explores how the objectives of the Child Justice Act can be
applied to Bongani’s case and how diversion can serve as a suitable intervention.
2. Application of the Objectives of the Child Justice Act in Bongani’s Case
2.1 Establishing a Separate Justice System for Children
One of the key objectives of the Act is to establish a criminal justice system that is
specifically designed for children, ensuring that they are treated differently from
adults (Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, 2008). In Bongani’s
case, this means that he should not be subjected to harsh punitive measures that
are typically applied to adult offenders. Instead, he should be assessed within the
child justice system, where the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
2.2 Emphasizing Rehabilitation and Reintegration
The Act seeks to rehabilitate and reintegrate child offenders into society, minimizing
the chances of reoffending (Gallinetti, 2009). Since Bongani stole food out of
desperation rather than for criminal intent, punishing him would not address the root
