A team of second-year students from the Faculty of Law on the Vanderbijlpark Campus of the North-West University (NWU) are this year’s winners in the popular annual NWU Juta Mock Trial competition that took place in Potchefstroom on 15 August.

Omphemetse Malebese, France Richia, Ayanda Sibisi and Tsitsi Sithole walked away with the first prize to the value of R30 000. The exciting final, which returned to the in-person format after it had to be hosted virtually last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, was attended by an enthusiastic crowd that included members of the judiciary, National Prosecuting Authority, advocates, attorneys as well as staff and students from the NWU. The proceedings were rounded off with top-class entertainment.

The final standoff was between two teams ― the second-years from the Vanderbijlpark Campus, representing the state, and a third-year group from the Potchefstroom Campus, representing the defence.

They had to argue a case with two charges, a count of common assault and one of crimen injuria. The presiding judges, Judge President Ronald Hendricks of the North West High Court and Judge André Petersen, found in favour of the state on count 1 – guilty, but acquitted the accused on the second count.

Every participant is also a winner

Judge President Ronald Hendricks said although one team was victorious, everyone who participated was a winner. “I know that you have learned a lot – even if it was just how to conduct yourself in a court set-up. That is very important, because nowadays counsel that includes attorneys does not know how to properly conduct themselves in court and to display the necessary respect to the court and to colleagues. I need not mention examples, it is even on television.”

Judge Petersen commended both teams for the way they approached the case. “It was refreshing for us to see students at second- and third-year level being able to lay a basis for the case. We sometimes have practitioners in court still struggling to lay a proper basis.”

Dr Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, said the event talks to the vibrancy of the NWU. “It speaks of our objectives to produce very well-rounded students. Our Faculty of Law provides quality education. It undertakes focused research and is involved in community engagement. Our goal is to equip law students with the knowledge, ethics and skills that they need in their professional lives.”

He said the mock trials are an instrument and platform where lecturers share their expertise with the student community. It further entails problem-based and work-directed learning that provide the students with practical examples and simulated exercises. It is evident that a lot of preparation and hard work went into this. The faculty has succeeded in cross-campus initiatives where students from all three sites of delivery get the opportunity to engage on issues such as diversity and social justice.”

Adv René Koraan, director of Professional Development and Community Engagement and senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law on the Potchefstroom Campus, thanked Juta for their continued support of the NWU’s mock trial competition. “We should never underestimate the impact of such competitions and workshops on the development of young aspiring lawyers,” she concluded.

The third-year team from the Potchefstroom Campus were this year’s runners-up. They are Reitumetse Legae, Nomathemba Queen Mncube, Dobie Maloba and Sibonile Nongqwena.

The second-year team from the Vanderbijlpark Campus were victorious. They are France Richia, Tsitsi Sithole, Ayanda Sibisi and Omphemetse Malebese.

Judge President Ronald Hendricks of the North West High Court and Judge André Petersen presided over the finals. With them is first-year student Jotobia Mangope, who acted as court orderly.

Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor of Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus Operations, Judge President Ronald Hendricks, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor, Judge André Petersen and Mr Bert Sorgdrager, chairperson of the NWU Council, during the finals of this year’s NWU Juta Mock Trials.

The final was attended by members of the judiciary, National Prosecuting Authority, advocates, attorneys as well as staff and students from the NWU.