Nothing is an offence which is done by accident or misfortune, and without any criminal intention or knowledge, in the doing of a lawful act in a lawful manner, by lawful means, and with proper care and caution.
Section history
Section 80 — Accident in the doing of a lawful act
As in force on 12 November 1993.
Timeline 5 versions
- 30 March 1987 Enacted
- 12 November 1993 You are here
- 1 January 2020 Act 15 of 2019
- 31 December 2021 Revised edition
- 1 March 2022 Act 23 of 2021
- 17 August 2026 Latest
Illustration
A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man who is standing by. Here, if there was no want of proper caution on the part of A, his act is excusable and not an offence.