Summoning of witnesses

Section 79 of the Coast Guard Act, 1978 deals with summoning of witnesses. The convening authority, the presiding officer of a Coast Guard Court, the Law Officer or, as the case may be, the officer approved under section 73 or the Commanding Officer of the accused person may, by summons under his hand, require the attendance, at a time and place to be mentioned in the summ The Act came into force on 19 Aug 1978.

(1) The convening authority, the presiding officer of a Coast Guard Court, the Law Officer or, as the case may be, the officer approved under section 73 or the Commanding Officer of the accused person may, by summons under his hand, require the attendance, at a time and place to be mentioned in the summons, of any person either to give evidence or to produce any document or other thing.

(2) In the case of a witness who is subject to this Act, the summons shall be sent to his Commanding Officer and such officer shall serve it upon him accordingly.

(3) In the case of any other witness, the summons shall be sent to the Magistrate within whose jurisdiction he may be, or resides, and such Magistrate shall give effect to the summons as if the witness were required in the court of such a Magistrate.

(4) When a witness is required to produce any particular document or other thing in his possession or power, the summons shall describe it with reasonable precision.

Section 79, The Coast Guard Act, 1978 (Act 30 of 1978).