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Section 79A — Mistake of law or ignorance of law not defence

As in force on 30 December 2025.

Timeline 3 versions
  1. 1 January 2020 Act 15 of 2019
  2. 1 March 2022 Act 23 of 2021
  3. 30 December 2025 You are here
  4. 17 August 2026 Latest
79A.Mistake of law or ignorance of law not defence

(1)A person’s mistake of law or ignorance of the law is not a defence to a charge for an offence unless it is otherwise provided by written law.

(2)To avoid doubt, where a person alleges a mistake of law or ignorance of the law that may negate the fault element of the offence that the person is charged with, the prosecution must prove the fault element in order to establish liability under the offence.