Rex v Letakubulide (Cr.A. 78/1936.)
Rex v Letakubulide (Cr.A. 78/1936.) [1936] EACA 104 (1 January 1936)
The Court held that the appellant's statement 'not driving sufficiently carefully' did not amount to an unequivocal admission of criminal negligence as required for a conviction of manslaughter. The plea of guilty was therefore not properly entered, and the conviction was unsafe. In technical cases, especially involving native accused, the court should be cautious in accepting pleas of guilty and should hear evidence to satisfy itself that the prosecution has discharged its burden of proof. The record disclosed grave doubts as to the correctness of the plea and conviction, warranting appellat…
Source excerpt
- Manslaughter By Negligence
- Plea Of Guilty
- Criminal Negligence Standard
- Conviction And Sentence
- Burden Of Proof