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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Law Enforcement 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91804  Higher Certificate in Law Enforcement 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The main purpose of the qualification is to provide a vocational, industry focused qualification to employees in the law enforcement environment to equip them with the basic knowledge, tools and practical techniques to enable them to perform their functions. The qualification will analyse the Criminal Procedure Act and other specific legislation that may be enforced by officials in job categories such as nature conservation officers, forestry officials, members of fire safety organisations, sea fisheries officials, municipal employees, SANRAL employees and employees from the Airports Company, Metrorail and SAN Parks. In addition it will provide access to higher education for learners in the non-SAPS law enforcement environment and enable those who wish to do so to further their education in a chosen field of study.

Rationale:
The South African Police Services (SAPS) is arguably the most important agency responsible for law enforcement, but they are certainly not the only player in this field. There is a huge number of officials who have statutory powers of law enforcement, operating at different levels of government, as well as in the sphere of semi-state institutions. These officials play a vital role on a daily basis in ensuring compliance with a plethora of statutes, regulations and by-laws. However, the effective and fair exercise of their law enforcement duties is dependent on sound knowledge and insight into their responsibilities in terms of the legislation from which they derive their authority, as well as the necessary skills sets to perform their duties according to prescribed standards.

Education and training in this non-SAPS sector has been largely uncoordinated and there is a need to have a formal qualification that would up-skill these officials, at the same time providing access to higher education and advancing the career prospects of these law enforcement officials. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication and writing skills at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematics Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements can gain access to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established by an assessor.

    Access to the Qualification:
    A learner entering this qualification must have achieved a National Senior Certificate granting access to Higher Certificate study or a National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate study or a Further Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 4 or equivalent, with Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy and English. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 11 modules, all at NQF Level 5, totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory modules:
  • Law Enforcement by Peace Officers, 12 Credits.
  • Principles of Criminal Liability, 12 Credits.
  • Taking of Statements, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Criminology, 12 Credits.
  • Pre-trial Procedures, 12 Credits.
  • Conduct of a Criminal Trial, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Common Law and Statutory Crimes, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Criminal Investigation, 12 Credits.
  • Implementation of a Law Enforcement Strategy, 6 Credits.

    Optional Modules (choose one):
  • Enforcement of Municipal Health Legislation, 6 Credits.
  • Enforcement by Building Inspectors, 6 Credits.
  • Enforcement of by-laws by Traffic Officials/Municipal Police, 6 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    After completing the qualification the learners will be able to:
    1. Implement a law enforcement strategy by applying the key principles of law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment.
    2. Participate in the processes of the criminal justice system by applying the pre-trial procedures required by law, conducting preliminary criminal investigations and presenting evidence in a court of law.
    3. Record the statements of persons allegedly connected to committing an offence in a manner that reflects the requirements for criminal liability.
    4. Explain the basic principles of criminology.
    5. Explain the nature and elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law offences and the impact of the Bill of Rights on law enforcement.
    6. Adhere to professional conduct and organisational ethics.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The approach towards law enforcement is discussed.
  • The main components of a law enforcement strategy are described.
  • The process required to implement a law enforcement strategy is explained.
  • Explain how the principles of customer care are applied in a law enforcement environment.
  • The application of the problem-solving approach to law enforcement is described.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The processes required by the criminal justice system to bring an offender to book are explained.
  • The role of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in law enforcement is described.
  • The steps required to be completed before a case gets to court are discussed.
  • The manner in which preliminary criminal investigations are conducted is explained.
  • The way in which evidence is presented in a court of law is explained and demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The requirements for criminal liability that must be contained in a statement are explained.
  • The principles that are required for a statement are described.
  • The layout of a statement is discussed.
  • The regulatory requirements for statements under oath or affirmation are explained.
  • A statement that complies with the above criteria is recorded.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The principles of criminology applicable to law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment are discussed.
  • The causes of criminal behaviour are discussed.
  • The relative utility of various explanations of the causes of crime are assessed.
  • Emerging, critical and global versions of criminology are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law are described.
  • The way in which the elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law find application in the law enforcement process is explained.
  • The way in which the rights in the Bill of Rights find application in the law enforcement process is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The requirements for adherence to professional conduct are explained.
  • The ethical principles that should be applied in the law enforcement process are described.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification is run on a block release system during which theory will be combined with formative assessments. In the periods between block releases further formative assessment and feedback opportunities are created via electronic means by using the Moodle learning system. The completion of the block release sessions will culminate in a formal summative assessment under examination rules. The formative assessments will count towards 40% of the final result and the summative assessment will count towards 60% of the final result. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Kaplan Open Learning (an affiliate of the University of Essex) in the United Kingdom offers a Certificate in Criminal Justice. The Certificate focus on criminology, risk assessment and management, human rights, values and ethics, criminal investigation, and has a work based learning component.

    University of Wisconsin (Madison) in the United States offers a Criminal Justice Certificate which focuses on the causes of crime and delinquency, examines fundamental concepts underlying the practice of justice, and analyses the impact of crime on society. The inner workings of criminal justice agencies are reviewed through an internship component and options for controlling crime are surveyed. Learners are challenged to consider new ways of preventing and handling crime.

    RMIT University in Australia offers a Professional Certificate in Criminal Justice. The modules provide education, professional development and enhance career skills for those intending to work in fields related to criminal justice, including police, corrections, health and community services, juvenile justice, courts administration, security and criminological research.

    Conclusion:
    The international qualifications used for comparison are of the same duration (one year), are for the up-skilling of professionals in the law enforcement/criminal justice environment and have similar module content to the Higher Certificate: Criminal Justice. Thus this qualification compares well with its international counterparts. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities for the qualifying learner.

    Horizontal articulation with other qualifications at NQF Level 5 includes the:
  • Certificate in Environmental Law.
  • Certificate in Law.
  • Certificate in Law Enforcement: Media Relations.
  • Certificate in Child Law.

    Vertical articulation with other qualifications at NQF Level 6 includes the:
  • Diploma in Criminal Law and Justice.
  • Diploma in Environmental Law.
  • Diploma in Law.
  • Diploma in Labour Law. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    In terms of the moderation policy this exit-level qualification's examination papers and learner scripts will be moderated externally. Formative assessments undertaken during training and on the e-learning platform will not be moderated. Assessors have many years of experience in higher education. The institution also provides assessor training and it is recommended that staff members complete this training. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must have:
  • A qualification in the related field which is at NQF Level 6 or above.
  • At least 5 years' lecturing/work experience in the field. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Nelson Mandela University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.