Witness Protection Act, 1998 (Act No. 112 of 1998)25. Insertion of section 191A into Act 51 of 1977 |
The following section is hereby inserted into the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977:
"191A. Witness services"
| (1) | The Minister has the power to determine services to be provided to a witness who is required to give evidence in any court of law. |
| (2) | The Minister may make regulations relating to— |
| (a) | the assistance of, and support to, witnesses at courts; |
| (b) | the establishment of reception centres for witnesses at courts; |
| (c) | the counselling of witnesses; and |
| (d) | any other matter which the Minister deems expedient to prescribe in order to provide services to witnesses at courts. |
| (3) | Any regulation made under this section which may result in financial expenditure for the State must be made in consultation with the Minister of Finance. |
| (4) | Any regulation made under this section may provide that any person who contravenes a provision thereof or fails to comply therewith shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. |
| (5) | Any regulation made under this section must, before publication thereof in the Gazette, be submitted to Parliament.". |