MADLANGA J
something unknown. So, we must approach the definition of “designated Judge” in
RICA with this awareness in mind and be wary not instinctively to reject the notion that
a definition section may well be a power-conferring provision. Of course, RICA is a
different statute and it must be its own interpretation that yields a determination that the
power to designate exists or does not. My reliance on section 1 of PAJA does not, in
the least, mean I am not alive to this. What I seek to point out is that it is not unheard
of that a power to do something may be implied from the definition section.
[76]
Reverting to RICA, the definition of “designated Judge” refers to a Judge falling
within one of the two identified categories and “who is designated by the Minister to
perform the functions of a designated Judge for purposes of [RICA]”. The definition
tells us what the functions of the designated Judge are; they are to be found in RICA.
And they have largely been identified above. So, we know who qualifies to be a
designated Judge. We know what a designated Judge is required to do. What remains
is the formal act of designating, which – in essence – need not entail more than to
identify a Judge falling within the two identified categories and advising her or him that
she or he has been so identified “to perform the functions of a designated Judge for
purposes of [RICA]”. Why then can’t the Minister designate? Reading the definition
and the provisions on the functions of a designated Judge together and taking into
account the fact that the act of designating need not go beyond what I have just
identified, it would be the height of formalism to insist that the power to designate must
be expressly provided in the substantive provisions of RICA. Yes, a substantive
provision conferring the power would have been a “nice-to-have”, but I do not agree
that its absence must legally result in a lack of power. Crucially, the many provisions
on the functions of a designated Judge appear to proceed from the premise that the
power to designate a Judge does exist in RICA. These provisions must have been meant
to be operable based on the definition of “designated Judge” in section 1. To suggest
otherwise would be to place form ahead of substance. The conclusion has to be that the
power to designate a Judge is implicit in a proper conjoined reading of the definition of
“designated Judge” and other provisions of RICA.
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