The Wits Justice Project investigates miscarriages of justice and raises awareness of issues within the criminal justice system with an aim to advocate for change, strengthen procedures and build on reform efforts. This is achieved through investigative journalism, advocacy, research and education.
Investigative Journalism
A joint can still get you in the joint
In 2012, I was arrested with two friends for smoking a joint I had just bought off a car guard in Melville, Joburg. Now that dagga has been partially legalised, I feel I can come out of the pot closet.
Following ConCourt ruling, SAPS continues to arrest people for possession of cannabis
The new ConCourt judgment legalising private use of cannabis should lead to a decrease in dagga arrests, but power still rests with the police. To date, cannabis arrests are one of the biggest SAPS arrest categories. Complete decriminalisation would free up R3.5-billion in police resources. This ...
Getting it wrong — guilty until proven innocent
Wrongful convictions are an uncomfortable fact of life, which in South Africa remains mostly unacknowledged, usually ignored and often denied. The establishment of a South African version of the US National Registry of Exonerations could well be an important step in the right direction.
Outreach & Education
Public Engagement
Community outreach
Multimedia
Art for Justice
Citizen Justice Network Radio
Inmate Support
Reporting wrongful conviction,
Reporting abuse / rape,
Reporting poor conditions
Roundtable Discussion on Wrongful Convictions
Please join the Wits Justice Project as we host a Roundtable Discussion on Wrongful Convictions, 27 July 2017 from ...
Insights
People of Note with Richard Cock and Carolyn Raphaely
Senior Journalist Carolyn Raphaely goes in depth about her work at the WJP on Classic Fm with Richard Cock, and gives us a taste of her favourite songs.
The murky case of Vicki Momberg and Crimen Injuria
Yesterday Magistrate Pravina Raghoonandan, in a potentially precedent setting judgment, sentenced Vicki Momberg to three years in prison of which one year will be suspended. Momberg was convicted of crimen injuria in 2017. Crimen injuria refers to a deliberate injury to another’s dignity by ...
