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JD1501 Final Portfolio PDF
JD1501 Final Portfolio PDF
Consider how you see your future. Do you picture yourself working in the justice
system one day? Give a reason for your answer. Reflect on your learning
experiences in this module and how these have influenced your answer. Identify
the highlights of your journey through this module.
Yes I do see myself working in the Justice System in the future that is one of the
reasons I decided to pursue a career in law by taking this course althought it wont be
easy and it seems that I would have to put in a lot of work and give of myself to
achieve this is, but it would be a small price to pay then when many people lives are
changed based on the help and decisions that we as the justice system take in changed
the live of South Africans. I would
really
consider
work
at
the
National
Prosecution
Authority
as
a
prosecutor
which
involves
the
Following;
A
prosecutor
guides
the
police
to
collect
the
right
evidence,
presents
this
in
court,
and
argues
cases.
The
prosecutor
decides
to
prosecute
or
not.
He
or
she
also
makes
sure
that
victims
and
witnesses
are
treated
fairly.
Unless
the
prosecutor
proves
guilt
beyond
reasonable
doubt,
the
accused
will
be
acquitted.
The
prosecutor
may
divert
cases
to
rehabilitate,
especially
juvenile
first
offenders.
The
prosecutor
helps
the
court
to
make
a
just
verdict
and
impose
a
fair
sentence.
I
want
to
be
part
of
the
people
who
want
see
justice
begin
served
and
living
in
a
country
where
we
up
hold
the
truth
and
law
and
be
a
progressive
county.
Other
thing
that
makes
me
want
to
work
for
the
NPA
is
their
vision
and
mission
which
is
NPA
VISION
Justice
in
our
society
so
that
people
can
live
in
freedom
and
security.
This
module
has
given
me
a
brief
and
yet
clear
understanding
of
the
different
levels
in
the
Criminal
Justice
System,
it
gave
me
a
clear
picture
of
how
they
are
so
interrelated,
interdependent
and
interacting
components
of
the
justice
system
to
achieve
good
service
to
the
South
African
people
and
that
justice
is
served.
I
also
learnt
that
law
is
applicable
to
us
in
our
everyday
life
and
our
behaviour
has
a
great
impact
on
our
justice
system.
Considering
that
the
people
are
the
ones
that
make
up
the
justice
system
from
the
SAPS,
NPA
etc.
To
the
correctional
servers
and
all
those
people
working
there
have
an
influence
in
our
justice
system
and
fairness
we
also
as
the
society
have
a
role
to
play
in
this
system.
I
would
say
my
greatest
highlight
of
this
module
was
our
first
is
our
unit
it
is
where
I
got
to
understand
how
the
law
is
and
how
its
so
much
part
of
our
daily
life
and
how
u
cannot
separate
the
two,
the
reason
why
there
are
court
cases
and
legal
battle
everyone
wants
to
believe
in
fairness
and
that
justice
is
served
but
if
that
were
the
case
there
would
be
no
justice
system.
2
What
influences
me
on
a
personal
level
I
would
say
that
my
family,
my
morals
,the
way
I
grew
up
and
my
beliefs
as
Christian
all
these
things
I
have
mentioned
influence
me
on
very
personal
level
in
everything
I
do
I
consider
all
these
factors
.
I
could
say
it
is
the
core
of
my
character.
How
do
I
make
decisions
when
I
deal
with
ethical
issues?
As
I
mentioned
in
my
previous
statement
about
what
influences
me
I
would
say
all
those
things
would
determine
the
way
I
make
decisions.
We
would
first
have
to
consider
what
is
ethical
and
unethical
this
may
mean
different
things
to
different
people
and
someone
might
not
actually
agree
with
me.
But
for
me
when
making
decision
dealing
with
ethical
issues
it
would
be
determined
by
the
truth
and
what
is
right,
I
can
make
an
example
by
if
someone
steals
at
work
would
I
report
the
matter
or
turn
a
blind
eye
to
the
issue?
Well
for
me
I
would
talk
to
the
person
if
I
feel
safe
with
person
(some
people
are
dangerous
thats
why
you
must
first
be
sure
before
approaching
them)
and
tell
the
person
to
do
the
right
thing
if
not
I
would
report
the
issue
to
the
relevant
people
who
would
address
the
issue
on
a
higher
level.
I
believe
by
make
the
right
ethical
decision
I
would
be
contributing
in
making
our
society
far
more
better
and
people
will
see
that
there
people
out
there
that
still
believe
In
the
truth
and
its
possible
to
be
ethical
after
we
lead
by
example.
How
has
doing
this
module
helped
me
to
take
an
ethical
stance
in
personal
life?
This
module
has
made
me
realize
that
there
is
a
fine
line
between
being
ethical
and
lawfully
correct,
what
I
might
consider
to
be
right,
may
not
be
viewed
in
the
same
manner
in
the
justice
system
as
lawful
because
the
law
is
impartial
if
the
law
says
that
a
certain
action
will
result
in
me
going
to
jail
it
does
not
matter
if
I
was
trying
to
do
an
ethical
thing
I
will
go
to
jail.
Ethics
are
based
on
ones
beliefs
and
moral
standards.
So
I
think
going
forward
I
would
have
to
consider
some
of
the
decision
I
make
very
carefully
as
I
would
one
day
like
to
work
in
the
justice
system
and
start
applying
some
of
the
things
Ive
learnt
in
my
personal
life,
without
compromising
my
beliefs
because
the
law
does
not
define
me
and
who
I
am.
Another
thing
to
consider
is
the
law
is
also
base
on
the
current
times
that
we
live
in
and
by
the
people
who
govern
the
country
its
always
evolving
so
does
that
mean
one
would
have
to
continuously
change
what
they
believe
is
right
based
on
the
law
its
a
very
difficult
choice
one
has
to
make
my
ethics
or
the
law?.
This
is
what
I
have
learnt
from
this
module
as
for
me
my
ethics
are
who
I
am.
In the course of this module you have been expected to reflect on the ethos of the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, uBuntu and the messages of
Lady Justice. Keep these issues in mind and imagine that you are already
working in the justice system.
How do you think the three elements mentioned above (the Constitution of the
Republic of South Africa, uBuntu and the messages of Lady Justice) should
influence your personal code of ethics and conduct as a functionary in the
justice system?
Getting a clear understand of the following three elements:
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa - The Constitution
protects everyone, irrespective of their differences. It incorporates certain
values human dignity, for example, along with the achievement of equality,
the advancement of human rights and freedom, non-racialism and non-sexism.
This idea of fairness is thus more than just a personal conviction it is also
found in and protected by the Constitution. The Constitution embodies the
interconnectedness of humanity, and the need to live according to certain
values and principles.
Ubuntu - UBuntu is a concept that is firmly entrenched in our legal system.
The spirit of fairness, respect, etcetera, as highlighted above, is clearly
illustrated in the Preamble to the Constitution.
The messages of Lady Justice - Lady Justice has often been depicted wearing
a blindfold. The blindfold represents objectivity, in that justice is or should be
meted out objectively, without fear or favour, regardless of money, wealth,
power, or identity; blind justice and impartiality. In the other pictures she is
portrayed in a different race and the background in all the pictures represents
the different sections in the justice systems and it heights the importances of
equality through (THE SCALES)which represent that Lady Justice carefully
weighs the claims of each side. They are referred as the scales of justice
When I read and look at all these three elements the most important thing that
is emphasized is we are equal and all the these other factor dont matter under
the justice system ,your race , money, power etc. dont matter the main thing
is that equality ,fairness and most importantly that justice is severed. So as a
person who will be working in the justice system you should represent all
these element as they embody the justice system, they have great deal of
influence in how I will be conducting my work. I would say its a set of
working standards that one would have to be mindful of when addressing
people and cases.
Think of a role model whom you believe embodies the qualities that are vital to
being ethical. This does not have to be a famous person. Say who this person
is and why you look up to him/her for ethical guidance.
For me it would have to be Thuli Madonsel she has shown herself to be a great
example of what it means to be ethical and didnt shy away from the truth, she
leads by example she respects her work. I think for anyone thats wants to join
the justice system it encourages one to want to do better and not fear but be
fair and embody the justice system by our actions.
Discuss your views on the importance of ethics in the workplace. How will ethics
influence your own role in the justice system? Include ideas on the qualities that you
would like to see in yourself.
Ethics are a fundamental for any working person, it shows ones level of commitment
to their job their values and beliefs. Ethics help measure the standard of the quality of
work done I say that because people who are ethical will do the right things like
getting to work on time ,doing what is required of them all the all the time whereas
people who dont will never go an extra mile and dont mind compromising their
values for self-gain. For me being truthful and not compromising even when under
pressure I would stick to what I believe is right so that justice may be served, always
maintain integrity is one of the qualities of someone with ethics thats how I would
like to see myself one when I do decide to work in the justice system.