Resources

"The Final Verdict"

The Final Verdict was a 26 part television programme produced as a partnership between the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It was produced in the form of a documentary-drama to enhance its informative and entertainment potential.

This television programme was part of the first phase of the department’s five-year communication strategy, which seeked to educate the public regarding the values contained in the Constitution, the process of accessing justice services, court processes and the criminal justice system in general.

This show is based on real cases which have already been finalised through the normal court process. It is a re-enactment of those concluded cases ranging from small claims to equality and labour cases. It is envisaged that through the re-enactment of such cases, viewers will better understand the various pieces of legislation that protect their rights, court processes, and the value chain of the Criminal Justice System.

It looks at the current issues affecting citizens in their daily lives and also brings educational aspects of the legal system to issues such as xenophobia, muthi-killings, ukuthwala etcetera.

The television programme started broadcasting on 04 June 2011, Saturday, SABC 2, 11H30 and will continue every Saturday at the same time until 3 December 2011. SABC 2 broadcast repeats of "The Final Verdict" every Thursday night, at 22h00 (22h00-22h30).

Full episodes on our YouTube channel:

• Final Verdict - Episode 26 TRC Beneficiaries (Aired 17 Dec 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 25 Equality Court (LGBTI) (Aired 10 Dec 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 24 Maintenance (Aired 03 Dec 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 23 Drafting of Wills (Aired 26 Nov 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 22 Evictions (Aired 19 Nov 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 21 Sentencing and Personal Circumstances of the Accused (San Murder) (Aired 12 Nov 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 20 Fraud and Organised Crime (Aired 05 Nov 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 19 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Aired 29 Oct 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 18 Common Purpose Murder (Aired 22 Oct 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 17 Livestock Theft & Restorative Justice (Aired 08 Oct 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 16 International Child Abductions (Aired 01 Oct 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 15 Accomplice to Rape (Aired 24 Sep 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 14 Medical Negligence (Aired 17 Sep 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 13 Drug Trafficking and Police Trap Operations (Aired 03 Sep 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 12 African Customary Law of Marriage (Aired 27 Aug 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 11 Equality Court (Aired 20 Aug 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 10 Child Justice (Aired 13 Aug 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 09 Maintenance (Aired 06 Aug 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 08 Ukuthwala (Aired 30 Jul 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 07 Sentencing and the Interests of the Community (Aired 23 Jul 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 06 Small Claims Court (Aired 16 Jul 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 05 Child Abuse and Murder (Aired 09 Jul 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 04 Land Claims (Aired 02 Jul 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 03 Divorce and Care of Minor Children (Aired 25 Jun 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 02, Domestic Violence and Self Defence (Aired 18 Jun 2011)
• Final Verdict - Episode 01 Muti Murder (Aired 04 Jun 2011)

This series was nominated for Best Factual Educational Entertainment Programme (Final Verdict - Carol Bouwer Productions) in the 7th Annual SAFTAs (SAFTA 2013).