An assessment of life sentence without parole for people convicted of killing police officers on duty in South Africa

Abstract

Like many societies, South Africa seeks to respond to the increasing killing of police officers, by exploring possible tough sentences. This article shows that sentencing does not take place in a socio-historical vacuum. It is concerned about sentencing proportionality as a limiting principle against possible excessive penal measures. In this article, life sentence without parole is assessed in terms of its justification and appropriateness. The article views life sentences as measures that require necessary parameters. It demonstrates that judicial decision-making is informed, inter alia, by different sentencing theories, and remains complicated.