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Inquests Act, 1959 (Act No. 58 of 1959)

1. Definitions

 

In this Act, unless the context otherwise indicates—

 

"incident"

means, in relation to a death, the occurrences during which an injury which gave rise to the death was sustained or during which other occurrences which directly gave rise to the death occurred;

[Definition inserted by section 1(a) of Act No. 45 of 1990]

 

"judicial officer"

means a judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, a regional magistrate or a magistrate;

[Definition inserted by section 1(a) of Act No. 45 of 1990]

 

"magistrate"

includes an additional magistrate and an assistant magistrate, but not a regional magistrate;

[Definition substituted by section  1(b) of Act No. 45 of 1990]

 

"Minister"

means the Minister of Justice;

 

"policeman"

includes any member of a force established under any law for the carrying out of police powers, duties and functions;

 

"public prosecutor"

means a public prosecutor attached to the magistrate's court of the district wherein an inquest is held or to be held under this Act;

 

"regional magistrate"

means a magistrate appointed under section 9 of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act No. 32 of 1944 ), to the court for a regional division;

[Definition inserted by section 1(c) of Act No. 45 of 1990]

 

"this Act"

includes any regulation made thereunder.