CMY2604
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, CMY2604
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
Dealing with Young Offenders
Question 1: How the Objectives of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 Apply to
Bongani’s Case
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was created to ensure that children in conflict with
the law are treated in a way that focuses on their well-being, growth, and rehabilitation
rather than just punishing them. In Bongani’s case, this law is very relevant because he
is only 12 years old and was not stealing for fun or greed, but because he and his family
were starving. The Act promotes a child-centered approach that considers the
circumstances behind the crime, which is exactly what the prosecutor is doing by
thinking about diverting Bongani away from the criminal justice system.
One of the key objectives of the Act is to keep children out of prison as much as
possible and rather focus on guiding them towards making better choices. It also aims
to protect children's rights, help them take responsibility for their actions, and make sure
they are treated fairly. Since Bongani’s situation is driven by poverty and not bad
intentions, it wouldn’t make sense to treat him like a dangerous criminal.
Another important goal of the Act is to help reintegrate children into society. Sending
Bongani through the criminal justice system could do more harm than good—it could
expose him to real criminals and make his life even harder. Instead, the Act encourages
solutions like diversion, which would help Bongani learn from this experience without
damaging his future.
ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: MARCH 2025
, CMY2604
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: March 2025
Dealing with Young Offenders
Question 1: How the Objectives of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 Apply to
Bongani’s Case
The Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 was created to ensure that children in conflict with
the law are treated in a way that focuses on their well-being, growth, and rehabilitation
rather than just punishing them. In Bongani’s case, this law is very relevant because he
is only 12 years old and was not stealing for fun or greed, but because he and his family
were starving. The Act promotes a child-centered approach that considers the
circumstances behind the crime, which is exactly what the prosecutor is doing by
thinking about diverting Bongani away from the criminal justice system.
One of the key objectives of the Act is to keep children out of prison as much as
possible and rather focus on guiding them towards making better choices. It also aims
to protect children's rights, help them take responsibility for their actions, and make sure
they are treated fairly. Since Bongani’s situation is driven by poverty and not bad
intentions, it wouldn’t make sense to treat him like a dangerous criminal.
Another important goal of the Act is to help reintegrate children into society. Sending
Bongani through the criminal justice system could do more harm than good—it could
expose him to real criminals and make his life even harder. Instead, the Act encourages
solutions like diversion, which would help Bongani learn from this experience without
damaging his future.
