Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
04 March 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied
Prof Tameshnie Deane
Prof Tameshnie Deane, Vice-Dean of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalisation in the UFS Faculty of Law.

A judgment by Prof Tameshnie Deane, Vice-Dean of Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalisation at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Law, has been published in South African Criminal Law Reports (SACLR), in recognition of its groundbreaking contribution to South African domestic violence law.

Prof Deane’s May 2024 judgment in the case GD v NB (2025(1) SACR 179) challenged a restrictive Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) precedent and expanded the interpretation of ‘domestic relationships’ under the Domestic Violence Act. Her ruling has not only reshaped legal understanding but also reinforced the UFS’s commitment to impactful legal scholarship.

South African Criminal Law Reports is a monthly report of criminal law and procedure cases from superior courts in Southern Africa. The cases highlighted in each issue are chosen for their importance to criminal law practitioners.

Challenging established precedents

Prof Deane’s judgment effectively challenged a precedent set by the SCA in Daffy v Daffy (2012), marking a significant shift in legal interpretation under the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 (DVA).

The GD v NB case revolves around domestic violence and the issuance of a protection order under the DVA. The appellant (the person who appealed the original court’s decision), who was married to the sister of the respondent (the person who must answer the claims), argued that their relationship did not fall under the domestic relationship criteria for a protection order. This argument relied heavily on the SCA’s decision in Daffy v Daffy, where the court had narrowly defined a ‘domestic relationship’ as being limited to cohabitation or close familial ties. In the Daffy case, two brothers were denied protection under the DVA, as their strained business relationship was deemed insufficient to fall under the scope of domestic violence protections.

Expanding the definition of domestic relationships

Prof Deane, however, disagreed with the restrictive interpretation applied in that case. “I concluded that this constrictive interpretation of a ‘domestic relationship’ seemingly ignores the intended aims of the DVA,” she explained. In her judgment, she argued that the DVA was intended to offer protection in a wide range of domestic relationships, and that the previous ruling failed to consider the evolving dynamics of modern familial ties.

By drawing on the broader, evolving understanding of domestic violence, Prof Deane expanded the definition of a “domestic relationship” to include relationships based on familial obligations, even where they may not involve cohabitation or direct consanguinity (direct blood relation). She cited specific details in the GD v NB case where the appellant and respondent were involved in the care of the respondent’s mother. “The relationship between the appellant and respondent extends beyond business matters to include familial obligations,” she noted. The ruling in GD v NB granted the appellant a protection order, acknowledging that their relationship met the broader definition of domestic violence protection under the DVA.

Adapting the law to contemporary realities

Her judgment reinforced that domestic violence can occur in diverse familial structures and that protection under the DVA should not be limited by narrow definitions. “Society is constantly changing, and the law must adapt accordingly to ensure relevance and that the widest possible protections are afforded to those in a wide range of domestic relationships,” Prof Deane emphasised. Her judgment serves as a response to South Africa’s high rates of domestic violence, ensuring that the law accommodates and responds to the diverse situations in which domestic violence occurs.

This landmark ruling contributes significantly to the ongoing development of South African law, furthering the protection of domestic violence victims and ensuring that the DVA is applied in a way that reflects the realities of contemporary society. Prof Deane’s decision highlights the importance of the law adapting to social changes, offering broader protection and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals within complex and varied domestic environments. This judgment also positions the UFS as a leader in advancing legal thought and contributing meaningfully to the evolution of South African law.

News Archive

2015/2016 SRC candidates announced
2015-08-19


Ledimo Nthejane, Independent Electoral Commission Provincial Manager, announcing the contenders for SRC elections at the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux

Congratulations to the successful 2015/2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) nominees. We wish you all the best with your campaigning.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has been appointed by the UFS to take responsibility for the operational aspects of the upcoming SRC elections on the Bloemfontein campus.  Their involvement spans over the period from the nomination process up to the announcement of the election results on 3 September 2015.

Bloemfontein Campus:

  • Edward de Wet (President)
  • Lindokuhle Ntuli (President)
  • Mpho Khati (Vice-President)
  • Nigel Marchall Masalla (Vice-President)
  • Nicola King (First-generation students)
  • Brand Louw (First-generation students)
  • Dineo Khotso Mashile (Transformation)
  • Katleho Mmolayeng Letube (Transformation)
  • Jeanne-Mari McDonald (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Lesley-Anne Terblanche (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Luke Harrold Small (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Nomathamsanqa Nomvula Kraai (Legal and Constitutional Affairs)
  • Victor Sejane (Student Accessibility)
  • Sam-Maree Rooi (Student Accessibility)
  • Rememberance Rohula Kgabu (Student Accessibility)
  • Delia Moumakwe (Culture)
  • Mohau Moses Lesebo (Culture)
  • Kabelo Elijah Noosi (Sport)
  • Neo Gift Thebe (Sport)
  • Peo Morwesi Segano (Media and Marketing)
  • Gali Moticoe (Media and Marketing)
  • Mafelleng Itumeleng Matla (Student Development and Environment)
  • Karabo Pheko (Student Development and Environment)
  • Shaun Grobler (Treasurer)
  • Cornel Vermaak (Treasurer)
  • Katleho Masheane (Treasurer)
  • Thulani Babeli (Treasurer)
  • Nothando Hlophe (Secretary)
  • Tsietso Mafaso (Secretary)
  • Mihlali Matanzima (Secretary)

Qwaqwa Campus:

  • Tseko Masoeu (President)
  • Ntokozo Mbele (President)
  • Paseka Sikhosane (President)
  • Ntandoyenkosi Mndebele (President)
  • Zethu Mhlongo (Deputy President)
  • Limpho Mape (Deputy President)
  • Mpho Pooe (Deputy President)
  • Langelihle Mzobe (Deputy President)
  • Bannetse Mokhatla (Secretary General)
  • Londiwe Shezi (Secretary General)
  • Nondumiso Langa (Secretary General)
  • Palesa Selepe (Treasurer General)
  • Sabelo Vilakazi (Treasurer General)
  • Sinenhlanhla Mfeka (Treasurer General)
  • Solomuzi Khathi (Treasurer General)
  • Busisiwe Nkosi (Politics and Transformation)
  • Banele Mndwaweni (Politics and Transformation)
  • Nthabiseng Mokoena (Politics and Transformation)
  • Sibusiso Nyambose (Media and Publicity)
  • Nonkululeko Shabalala (Media and Publicity)
  • Khulani Mhlongo (Media and Publicity)
  • Bongiwe Buthelezi (Media and Publicity)
  • Nhlanhla Shabalala (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
  • Thulane Dubazane (Student Development and Environmental Affairs)
  • Lindokuhle Ngubane (Student Development & Environmental Affairs)

Nominations for the Secretary and Treasurer portfolios are still open until 12:00 noon on Friday 21 August 2015.

Important dates to note:

18 August 2015 - Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus campaigning commences

27 August 2015 - Qwaqwa campaigning ends

30 August 2015 - Bloemfontein campaigning ends

28 August 2015 - Qwaqwa Election Day

31 August 2015 - Bloemfontein Election Day

1 September 2015 - Qwaqwa SR handover and establishment sitting

4 September 2015 - Bloemfontein SRC handover and establishment sitting

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept