SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Perform witness support activities 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253992  Perform witness support activities 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Resolving of Crime 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners who provide witness support. The learner will be able to describe the legal framework regarding witness protection, demonstrate understanding of the role-players in witness protection programmes, demonstrate understanding of the admission process, provide protection to witness and demonstrate understanding of the discharging process as well as the completion of the administration process.

After completion of this unit standard will employee will be able to:
  • Explain the legal framework related to witness protection.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role-players in witness protection programmes.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the admission process.
  • Provide protection to witnesses.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the discharging process. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the legal framework related to witness protection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Terms related to witness protection are explained to understand their roles in this process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terms refer to but are not limited to place of safety, proceedings, protected person, related person, protection agreement and tribunal witness.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The principles and processes related to protection of witnesses are assessed in line with the current legal framework. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Current legal framework refer to but is not limited to Witness Protection Act No 112 of 1998, Protected Disclosure Act (Whistleblowers), and Victim Charter.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Key elements related to witness protection are described in relation to their occurrence in witnesses protection programmes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key elements refer to but are not limited to criteria for placing of witness in Witness Protection program (WPP) delegation of key functions, removal from programme and refusal of witness.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate understanding of the role-players in witness protection programmes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Role-players in the witness protection programme are described in terms of their role and functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Role-players refer to but are not limited to Directorate, Department of Justice, Director-General, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Interested Functionary, Law Enforcement Officer, WPP Security Officer and Witness Protection Officer.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Role-players in the witness protection programme are assessed in terms of their powers and mandates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Department of Justice and the South African Police Service are distinguished in terms of their roles and functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The emotional state of a witness participating in the witness protection programme is assessed in terms of social elements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate understanding of the admission process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The expectations of a witness entering the programme is assessed in line with the admission process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The type of people admitted to the programme is described according to the investigative need. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The criteria for admittance to the witness protection programme is evaluated to ensure that the qualifying witnesses are admitted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Type of offences in respect of which a witness or related person may be placed under protection is evaluated with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Aspects to be considered for an application are described in line with the admission process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The application process for admission to the witness protection programme is evaluated in a given case scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Applying also refer to the protection agreement.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Provide protection to witness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of temporary protection is assessed in line with the prescribed processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The purpose of categorizing witnesses is explained in line with prescribed processes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Categories refer to but are not limited to children and adults.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The basics of witness protection is assessed in a given case scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The word:
  • "Basics".
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The needs of witnesses are evaluated to ensure adherence to the process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Needs refer to but are not limited to emotional, crime-related psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and unique sociology of the witness protection programme.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate understanding of the discharging process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The National Director's Office for witness protection is described in terms of its role. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The aspects to be taken into account during the discharging process are described in line with the discharging guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The role-players involved in witness protection are assessed in terms of their roles and functions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The discharging process must also include the case docket administration.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual who wishes to be assessed against this unit standard (including assessment of RPL) may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA. Assessors must be competent in the outcome of the Unit Standard.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the relevant ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Witness protection programme.
  • Witness admission process.
  • Witness discharging process.
  • Terms related to witness protection.
  • Key elements.
  • Role-players in witness protection programme.
  • Effect on a witness within the witness protection programme.
  • Admission process.
  • Type of offences.
  • Aspects to be considered for an application.
  • Process in applying for admission.
  • Temporary protection.
  • Protection of minor witness.
  • Basics of witness protection.
  • Needs of witnesses.
  • Discharging process.
  • Docket administration.
  • Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977.
  • Constitution of South Africa, Chapter 2, Bill of Rights.
  • Witness Protection Act No 112 of 1998.
  • Victim Charter. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical thinking, have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical, and/or language skills in the modes of written and/or oral presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Must be competent in the outcomes of this unit standard.
  • Must have well-developed subject matter expertise.
  • At least 2 years practical experience.
  • Must be a registered assessor with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59989   National Certificate: Resolving of Crime  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2016-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. AFRIC POLICING INSTITUTE 
    2. BROOKLYN CITY COLLEGE (PTY) LTD RUSTENBURG CAMPUS 
    3. DAM SCHOOL OF POLICING 
    4. DAM SCHOOL OF POLICING POLOKWANE 
    5. DAM SCHOOL OF POLICING PRETORIA 
    6. DECENTRALISED TRAINING DURBAN 
    7. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE: EAST RAND 
    8. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE: VAALRAND 
    9. SA POLOCE SERVICE 
    10. SHEPPERD ACADEMY 
    11. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION 
    12. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION GRAA 
    13. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION OUDS 
    14. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE DIAMONDFIELD IN SERVICE AND SPECIALIZED T 
    15. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPEMENT CENTRE PIETER 
    16. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE IN SERVICE TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION 
    17. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE PROVINCIAL HEAD OFFICE EASTERN CAPE TRAIN 
    18. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION ALL SAINTS 
    19. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION NORTH WEST PROVINCE 
    20. STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS AND SEMINARS 


    All qualifications and part qualifications 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.