Inquests Amendment Act 52 of 1983

Inquests Amendment Act, 1983 (No. 52 of 1983)

GENERAL EXPLANATORY NOTE:
[ ]  Words in bold type in square brackets indicate omissions from existing enactments. '
__ Words underlined with solid line indicate insertions in existing enactments.

Act

• to amend the Inquests Act, 1959, so as to further regulate the power of a magistrate to hold an inquest; and
• to provide for matters connected therewith.

(English text signed by the State President.)
(Assented to 27 April 1983.)

BE IT ENACTED by the State President and the House of Assembly of the Republic of South Africa, as follows:-

Substitution of section 6 of Act 58 of 1959, as substituted by section 14 of Act 29 of 1974. 

1. The following section is hereby substituted for section 6 of the Inquests Act, 1959:

"Magistrate who is to hold inquest. 

6. An inquest shall be held-

(a) by the magistrate of the district in which the death is alleged to have occurred; or 

(b) where it is alleged that the death has not occurred [on board a ship or on board an aircraft in flight] on land, by the magistrate of the district where the body has been brought ashore or on land or has been found, [or has been removed from the aircraft] as the case may be; or

(c) [in the case of any doubt or dispute as to any such district or] where the Minister or any person authorized thereto by him deems it expedient, by any magistrate designated by the Minister or person so authorized at a place so designated.". 

Short title and commencement.

2. This Act shall be called the Inquests Amendment Act, 1983, and shall be deemed to have come into operation on 1 February 1982.