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SAICSIT Constitution

The South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists

CONSTITUTION

15 April 2019

As voted by the Membership online by 15 March 2019 and accepted by the Council at its meeting of 15 April 2019.

1         Interpretation and Definitions

In this constitution, except where the context forbids, words importing males shall include all genders and words implying the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

  • The term “Institute” shall refer to the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists.
  • The term “Council” shall mean the Council of the Institute as defined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.
  • “ExCo” shall mean the Executive Committee constituted under section 4.12 of the Constitution.
  • The terms “approved”, “recognised” and “acceptable” shall mean approved by, recognised by, and acceptable to the Council unless the context denotes otherwise.
  • The term “member” shall mean any person whose name is recorded on the membership register of the Institute.
  • The term “active member” is defined in the Bylaws.
  • The term “quorum” shall mean that number of members who must be present when any resolution is taken in order that such resolution shall be binding on the Institute.
  • The term “secretaries” shall mean the person or persons or organisation appointed as such by the Institute in a general meeting, whereas “Secretary” refers to the Honorary Secretary.
  • The term “electronic ballot” shall include by email or online.

In any case of doubt as to the meaning of any portion of the Constitution and Bylaws, the Interpretation of the Council shall be binding upon the members.

2         Name and Attributes

2.1       Name

The name of the Institute shall be: the South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists. The abbreviation shall be SAICSIT.

2.2       Mission

The Institute focusses on research and development in South Africa in all sub-disciplines of Computing, including Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology and Software Engineering.

2.3       Strategic Objectives

The strategic objectives of SAICSIT are to:

  • Support education, training and research, particularly through an annual conference;
  • Support the dissemination of research through vehicles such as the South African Computer Journal (SACJ) and conference proceedings;
  • Enhance the communication amongst members and all interested parties regarding research and development projects by means of services and links with other professional bodies;
  • Monitor the availability of human resources for research and development;
  • Seek solutions to technical and socio-economic problems in South Africa by means of research and development projects;
  • Strive for professionalism and excellence amongst members.

3         Membership

3.1       The Membership

The Institute shall consist of members that meet the criteria as specified by the Bylaws.

Members who were appointed originally appointed as Fellows will retain their title as
Fellows of SAICSIT. No new Fellows will be elected.

3.2       Membership Register

The Council shall keep a register of all members, together with their dates of joining the Institution, affiliation and email address.

3.3       Letters of Designation

  • A Member of the Institute shall be entitled to use the letters MSAICSIT to designate membership of the Institute.
  • Members who were originally elected as Fellows of the Institute may continue to use the designation FSAICSIT.
  • A member of the Institute may use the description “Member of The South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists” to specify association with the Institute.

3.4       Professional Conduct

Each member is required so to order his conduct as to uphold the dignity of the profession of all Computing sub-disciplines. It is recognized that a member will interact with clients, employers, others with whom his work is connected, and his fellow-members. In whatever capacity he may be engaged, he should act in a manner consistent with the mission and objectives of the Institute.

3.5       Termination of Membership

  • A member may resign from the Institute by sending his written resignation to the Secretary.
  • A person who has so resigned may be re-admitted to membership at the discretion of the Council.
  • The Council may, in terms of the Bylaws, terminate the membership of inactive members of the Institute.

3.6       Disciplinary Power

The Council shall have power in terms of the Bylaws to censure, suspend or expel members of SAICSIT.

3.7       Forfeiture of Rights

Cessation of membership of the Institute shall entail forfeiture of all rights, title, and/or interest in funds, property and assets of the Institute, and of rights to participate in the Institute’s affairs.

4         The Council

4.1       Management

Subject to the constitution and in conformity with the Bylaws, management of the affairs of the Institute shall be vested in the Council whose members shall serve on the Council until their successors have been elected and have taken office.

4.2       Composition of the Council

The Council shall consist of:

  • The Office Bearers:
    – the President;
    – two (2) Vice-Presidents;
    – the Honorary Secretary;
    – the Immediate Past President;
    – the Honorary Treasurer.
  • The SACJ Editor
  • a further eight (8) ordinary Council members.

No member of the Institute other than the six (6) designated in this clause nor any paid or honorary employee of the Institute shall be termed an Office Bearer of the Institute.

4.3       Co-option

  • The Council may co-opt members as they feel fit to conduct or be responsible for specific duties.
  • Co-opted members hold office for such period determined by the Council or until the next Annual General Meeting, whichever is the shorter period.

4.4       Quorum

Eight (8) council members shall form a quorum at a Council Meeting.

4.5       Right of Attendance

Members of Council have the right to attend any and all meetings and committee meetings of any group or body, associated with, or sponsored by, the Institute.

Fellows have the right to attend all Council meetings, but unless also Council Members, shall
not have the right to vote at Council meetings.

4.6       Forfeiture of Council Membership

Should any member of Council be absent from three consecutive Council meetings, without leave of absence having been granted to him by Council, he shall, at the discretion of Council, be deemed to have resigned from the Council.

4.7       Election of Office Bearers

The Office Bearers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the Bylaws.

4.8       Terms of Office

A term of office is from Annual General Meeting to Annual General Meeting and shall be:

  • For Office Bearers: three years
  • For Council Members: four years
  • For SACJ Editor: five years

4.9       Vacancies among Office Bearers

The Council shall have the power to fill any vacancy occurring among Office Bearers.

4.10   Eligibility of Council Members

Members of Council shall be active members of the Institute, as defined by the Bylaws.

4.11   Election of Council Members

Members of Council shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the Bylaws.

4.12   Vacancies among Council Members

The Council shall have the power to fill the vacancy by co-option.

4.13   Executive Committee

  • The Executive Committee of the Council shall consist of the Office Bearers together with such additional Council members as may be appointed to the Committee by the Council.
  • The quorum at meetings of the Executive Committee shall be four (4) members.
  • The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the Council in cases of emergency and in all matters delegated to it by Council.
  • Any action taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported to the next Council meeting.

4.14   Secretariat

The Council shall have the power to appoint a secretary and other officers, and to remunerate them. Such officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Council and they shall perform such duties as the Council shall require.

The Council shall cause minutes to be kept of the proceedings of all meetings of the Council, the Institute and the various committees.

5         Activities of the Institute

5.1       Conference

The Institute is dedicated to holding an annual research conference.

5.2       Publications

The Council shall have the power to publish journals and other matters as may be determined by Council.

5.3       Examinations

The Council shall have the power to institute and regulate examinations for admission to membership and for such other purposes as may be determined by Council.

5.4       Incorporation of,  and Association with, Kindred Institutions

The Council may, upon receipt of a request for incorporation from any organisation with objects kindred to those of the Institute, arrange for the incorporation of such an organisation in the Institute on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, provided that any such incorporation shall be subject to sanction by a Special General Meeting of the Institute convened for the purpose.

The Council may decide, with no dissenting vote, to associate the Institute with any institution, provided that such association

  • furthers the objectives of the Institute; and
  • is not detrimental to the autonomy of the Institute or Council.

The Council may decide to disassociate from any such institution, provided that such disassociation be subject to approval by a Special General Meeting convened for this purpose.

6         Fees and Subscriptions

  • The Council shall have the power to levy, fix and amend entrance fees and annual subscriptions.
  • Non-members may subscribe to any of the services provided by the Institute at a fee determined by Council.
  • The liability of members for the debts and engagements of the Institute is limited to the amount of any unpaid subscriptions.

7         Assets and Accounts

7.1       Assets

  • All assets, property and funds of the Institute shall be held and registered in the name of the Institute.
  • The Council shall have the power to buy, sell, improve, manage, lease, mortgage or dispose of all or any property, movable or immovable: to raise, borrow and secure payment of money, and to accept donations, in furtherance of the Institute’s objects.
  • True accounts shall be kept of all monies received and expended by the Institute and of the assets and liabilities of the Institute.

7.2       Accounts

  • The Council shall have the power to open such banking accounts as it deems fit for the purposes of the Institute.
  • The Honorary Treasurer, or treasurer engaged by the Council, shall administer the funds of the Institute in accordance with the directions of the Council to whom they shall be responsible.
  • The funds of the Institute shall be applied solely to the promotion of the objectives of the

7.3       Signatories

All documents and instruments required to be signed on behalf of the Institute shall be signed by persons duly authorised by a resolution of the Council.

7.4       Annual Reports and Assessments

  • The accounts of the Institute shall be assessed at least once a year by an independent financial reviewer who shall be appointed by the Council for the ensuing year.
  • No member or officer of the Institute shall be eligible for the position of independent financial reviewer.
  • The Council shall submit at each Annual General Meeting an Annual Report on the financial affairs of the Institute, together with an assessed Statement of Revenue and Expenditure and a Balance Sheet as specified above.

8         Indemnity

Each member of Council shall be accountable only in respect of his own acts and shall not be accountable for any acts done or authorised to which he shall not have expressly assented.  No member of the Council shall incur any personal liability in the following respects: loss or damage incurred through any act, matter or thing done, authorised or suffered by him, when done in good faith for the benefit of the Institute, even though in excess of his/her legal power.

9         Bylaws

The Council shall frame Bylaws, which shall be consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, for the conduct of the business and the management of the affairs of the Institute.

9.1       Amendments

Such Bylaws may at any time be added to, repealed or amended by the Council. All members shall be notified of such alterations and additions in a manner to be decided by the Council.

9.2       Ratification

An amendment to the Bylaws concerning the election of Council members and office bearers, or the Bylaws on disciplinary procedures requires ratification by a simple majority of votes cast by either (a) members in an electronic ballot or (b) a general meeting.

9.3       Interpretation

In any case of doubt as to the meaning of any portion of the Constitution and Bylaws, the Interpretation of the Council shall be binding upon the members.

10    Meetings of the Institute

10.1   Ordinary General Meetings

Ordinary General Meetings of the Institute shall be held at such time and place as the Council may decide. Nothing related to the management of the Institute shall be introduced or discussed at Ordinary General Meetings.

10.2   Annual General Meetings

Annual General Meetings of the Institute shall be held on a date in the following year to be decided by the Council each year to

  • receive and consider the Annual Report of the Council,
  • receive and approve the assessed Revenue and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet,
  • conduct elections for the membership of the Council when applicable, and
  • conduct such other business as the Council may decide.

10.3   Special General Meetings

The Council may at any time convene a Special General Meeting. All meetings of the Institute other than those detailed above shall be designated Special General Meetings and only such business as is specified in the notice convening these meetings shall be transacted.

The Council shall convene a Special General Meeting within thirty (30) days of the receipt of a written application from no less than ten (10) active members, provided such application specifies the objects for which the meeting is required.

10.4   Notice of Meetings

Notices convening Annual General and Special General Meetings shall be dispatched to members at their registered email addresses no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the date decided for such meetings.

10.5   Omission of Notice of Meetings

The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of the Institute to any member shall not invalidate any resolution passed at such meeting.

10.6   Voting

The active members present at a meeting of the Institute shall form a quorum, and only these members are entitled to vote, provided that members may authorise a vote in proxy.

10.7   Amendments to the Constitution

Should the Council consider it expedient to propose any change to the Constitution in the way of addition, alteration or repeal, or should not less than twenty (20) members express in writing a desire for such a change, the same shall:

  • Either be considered at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting convened for that purpose, in which case the members present shall be deemed to be those entitled to vote
  • Or, if deemed desirable by the Council, be submitted to all active members for decision by electronic ballot; in which case the full member register shall be deemed to be those entitled to vote

For the adoption of a proposed amendment, it shall be necessary that not less than twenty-five per cent of the members entitled to vote cast their votes, and that not less than two-thirds of the votes cast be in favour of the amendment.

11    Liquidation

The Institute may be liquidated and its affairs wound up, or it may be amalgamated with any similar body, by a resolution submitted to and adopted at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose, at which not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes cast are in favour of the dissolution or amalgamation, subject to confirmation by an electronic ballot, in which not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of members entitled to vote cast their votes, and not less than two-thirds of the votes cast are in favour of dissolution or amalgamation.

In submitting the resolution to members, it shall be necessary to decide the manner in which any surplus assets of the Institute, after satisfaction of its debts, shall be applied, with the proviso that no surplus assets will be distributed among any members of the Institute but will be made over to a society not for gain, such society to have objects that are in accordance with the objects of the Institute.

 

 

 

The South African Institute of Computer Scientists and Information Technologists

BY-LAWS

27 September 2018

As approved by the Council at its meeting of 25 September 2018, and announced at the AGM of 27 September 2018.

  • Definitions and interpretation
  • The definitions given in the preamble to the Constitution apply to these by-laws.
  • In any conflict between the provisions of the by-laws and the Constitution, the provisions of the Constitution shall apply.

2         Membership

Eligibility for membership is determined according to two criteria:

2.1        Education

A four-year degree (SAQA level 8) in Computer Science, Informatics, Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Engineering or an equivalent field as assessed by the Council.

2.2        Experience

At least ONE of the following

  1. At least one year working full-time in a research or lecturing environment,

OR

  1. At least one-year full-time equivalent studying for a higher degree (SAQA level 9),

OR

  1. Acceptance of a paper in the conference or journal of the Institute after the year in which the education eligibility was attained.

2.3        Application

Application for membership shall be through the Institute’s website. Applications will be considered and approved or declined by member(s) of Council so designated for the task.

2.4        Entrance Fees and Subscriptions

  • There are no membership fees.
  • There is no membership certificate.

2.5        Benefits

Active members of SAICSIT may, among other benefits determined by Council from time to time,

  • Receive a discount at the annual conference and other events as determined by Council;
  • Receive a discount on costs for publishing in the journal (SACJ);
  • Log into the membership area of the website, view the membership list and communicate with other members.

2.6        Active Membership

An active member is one who in the previous eighteen months has done at least ONE of the following:

  • attended the annual conference; or
  • published in the journal; or
  • been a member of Council; or
  • notified the Honorary Secretary by email that they wish to continue as a member of SAICSIT.

Failing any of the above, Council may terminate membership.

2.7        Readmission

Any other person who was previously a member of SAICSIT may reapply to be a member.

Any person who was previously a member and whose previous membership was terminated by the Council acting under its disciplinary powers may reapply to be a member. This procedure applies to any person who resigned from SAICSIT with disciplinary procedure pending.

3         Meetings

3.1        Annual General Meeting (AGM)

  • Matters for the AGM will be decided by Council beforehand.
  • Notice of the AGM and the agenda should be circulated to members 14 days in advance.
  • Proxy votes via an online system should be encouraged for members who cannot attend the meeting in person.

3.2        Quorum

The active members in good standing present at a Special General Meeting, Annual General Meeting or Ordinary General Meeting of the Institute shall form a quorum.

3.3        Voting

Every proposal submitted to any meeting, except as otherwise provided, shall in the first instance be decided by a show of hands of the members entitled to vote but a ballot may be demanded by any member present. This ballot shall be taken forthwith and be supervised by the scrutineers appointed by the meeting. If the annual conference and/or AGM takes place on a digital platform, the election of Council members and office bearers may be conducted by members in an electronic ballot.

The Chairperson of any meeting shall have a deliberative vote and if necessary, a casting vote.

3.4        Chairperson

The President shall preside at all Ordinary, Annual and Special General Meetings and Council and ExCo meetings of the Institute at which s/he is present. Should the President not be present, the order of precedence for taking the chair shall be:

  • The longest serving Vice-President;
  • The most recently elected Vice-President;
  • The Immediate Past President;
  • The Honorary Secretary;
  • The Honorary Treasurer; or
  • failing any of the above, a person elected by the members.

3.5        Adjournment

The Chairman of any meeting may, with the consent of a majority of the members present, adjourn the proceedings from time to time and from place to place.

4         Administration

The financial year of the Institute shall run from 1st March to the end of February.

Communication among members of the institute shall be by electronic mail.

5         Activities

5.1        South African Computer Journal

SAICSIT shall publish the South African Computer Journal (SACJ) as a research journal.

5.2        SACJ Editorship

  1. The Council shall appoint the editor of the South African Computer Journal.
  2. The editor is granted the rights and obligations of the editor of a scientific journal.
  3. The Editor is responsible for determining the contents of the journal. Research papers shall only be accepted after peer-review, on the basis of quality, relevance and novelty.
  4. The Editor may appoint an Editorial Board and any Co-editors, Deputy Editors and Associate Editors as s/he believes appropriate.
  5. Editorial procedures shall be determined by the Editor after consulting any Co-editors and Deputy or Associate Editors

5.3        Appointment of the SACJ editor

  1. One year before the term of office (see point 7 below) of the Editor completes, the Council shall appoint a Screening Committee to appoint a new editor.
  2. The Screening Committee shall advertise for the position of editor and may on its own initiative approach candidates for the position.
  3. The Screening Committee shall determine its own procedures and shall consider all material submitted by candidates for editor. It may also interview shortlisted applicants.
  4. The Screening Committee shall make a recommendation to the Council.
  5. The Council must confirm or reject any recommendation of the Screening Committee.
  6. If the Council rejects the recommendation, the Screening Committee shall propose another candidate.
  7. The term of office of the editor is five years.
  8. An editor may serve more than one term.

5.4        Publication of SACJ

  1. The Editor, in consultation with the Honorary Treasurer, shall determine the number and size of issues published each year.
  2. There shall be at least two issues published each year.
  3. The Council shall determine the mode of publication in consultation with the Editor.
  4. The Council shall determine the copyright policy of SACJ in consultation with the Editor.
  5. SACJ is an open access journal. All content is free to read, link to, copy, print, search and distribute without charge and without seeking permission of the publishers or authors.
  6. Members of SAICSIT are entitled to a discount for publication in the journal, as applicable.

5.5        SAICSIT Research Symposium

  1. SAICSIT will hold an annual research conference. The Proceedings of the conference will be published and comprise chiefly of reviewed publications.
  2. The Proceedings shall be published, preferably by an international conference series such as the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series.
  3. The SAICSIT AGM, or failing the AGM, the Council, will appoint a General Chair for the conference.
  4. The General Chair will appoint the programme committee and organising committee (including the chairs thereof).
  5. The Council shall determine the review, publication and copyright policies of national research conference in consultation with the programme committee chair(s).
  6. The final decision of which papers are accepted in the conference shall be made by the programme committee chair or chairs on the basis of peer reviews.
  7. Members of the Institute will receive a discount to be determined by Council for attendance fees at the annual conference.

5.6        Other Publications and Workshops

The SAICSIT Council may approve the issuing of any publication or the holding of any workshop under the name of SAICSIT on such conditions as the Council deems appropriate. Discounts for members’ fees will be negotiated.

5.7        Specialist sections

Any centre or section established by the Institute shall be constituted and its affairs conducted in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws.

6         Election of members of council and office-bearers

6.1        Nominations

  1. Before each AGM, the Honorary Secretary shall determine the opening and closing dates for nominations for any vacancies and issue a call for nominations.
  2. Nominations shall be open for at least 21 days.
  3. Nominations shall normally close 48 hours before the AGM.
  4. Nominations for any position shall be reopened at the AGM, before any election for that position, should
    • no or insufficient nominations have been received; or
    • a vacancy have occurred for a position between the initial call for nominations and the AGM, or as a result of a member of the Council being elected to a different position on the Council.

6.2        Election of Office-bearers

  1. The election of office bearers shall take place at the AGM.
  2. Any vacancies in office bearers shall be filled in descending order of seniority.
  3. Should a newly elected office bearer already be a member of the Council, their previous position terminates and becomes vacant.
  4. No office bearer is eligible for a position which s/he has held for two or more terms in succession.

6.3        Election of ordinary Council members

  1. Elections for Council members shall be held at the Annual General Meeting.
  2. Each active member of SAICSIT attending the AGM shall have as many votes as there are vacancies.
  3. If there are n vacancies, the n candidates who obtained the highest votes shall be declared
    members of Council and hold office as ordinary Council members for four years, or until they are elected as an office bearer in which case they will hold office for three years.

7         Meetings and Duties of Council

Council shall meet as often as the business of the Institute requires. At meetings of the Council all matters shall be decided by a majority, except as otherwise provided for in the Constitution or by-laws. The chairperson shall have a deliberative and, if necessary, a casting vote.

7.1        Absence from Council Meetings

Any member of Council who is absent from three (3) meetings of Council without the approval of Council shall be deemed to have resigned from the Council.

7.2        Appointment of Committees and Representatives

  1. Council shall have power to appoint committees and/or representatives for such purposes and with such powers as it may decide. Such appointments and/or representations may be made from members of the Institute or from such other persons as Council may select in order to further the interests and work of the Institute.
  2. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees.
  3. Chairpersons of committees and representatives appointed by Council shall report regularly to Council either in person or in writing the progress and eventually the result of the work of the committees or representation.

8         Meetings and duties of EXCO

8.1        Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Committee (ExCo) shall attend to all matters referred to it by Council, and all matters delegated to it by Council, and shall report to each Council meeting on matters completed and in hand.

8.2        Powers

ExCo is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Institute, and may initiate proceedings otherwise reserved for Council should the orderly running of the Institute so require. Any such matters will be reported at the next available Council meeting. 

ExCo is authorised to appoint the account signatories for the SAICSIT bank accounts, and the information will be reported to Council at the next available Council meeting.

8.3        ExCo Meetings

ExCo shall meet on an ad hoc basis as necessary in order to fulfil its duties and responsibilities..  l

At meetings of the ExCo the Chairman shall have a deliberative and, if necessary, a casting vote.

8.4        Rights of Attendance

  1. Council members have the right to attend ExCo meetings, but if they wish to receive the agenda and minutes of ExCo meetings they must inform the Secretary in writing at least 3 (three) weeks prior to a meeting.
  2. Council members attending an ExCo meeting do not, unless they are also members of ExCo, have the right to vote at an ExCo meeting.

9         Disciplinary By-laws

9.1        Powers of the Council

  1. The powers of the Council to discipline members is regulated by the constitution and these by-laws.
  2. The Council may not delegate its disciplinary powers.

9.2        Competent charges

Competent disciplinary charges against a member are

  1. Wilful or reckless breaking of the constitution or by-laws;
  2. Failure to observe Professional Conduct as defined in the constitution.

9.3        Initiation of disciplinary procedures

  1. The Council may on its own initiative, or on receipt of a complaint from a member or a third party, appoint an ad hoc disciplinary committee to decide any disciplinary charges against a member.
  2. Subject to is designated Procedures, the Council shall appoint a SAICSIT member to lead evidence.
  3. The person leading evidence shall consider any complaints and perform any preliminary investigations s/he thinks desirable.
  4. The person leading evidence shall, based on the complaints and any preliminary investigations, shall either:
    1. recommend to the Council that the complaint should not be pursued, in which case the Council shall either terminate proceedings or consider the matter de novo;
    2. formulate charges which shall be presented to the member and the disciplinary committee.

9.4        Disciplinary committee

A disciplinary committee shall consist of at least three members.

  1. A majority of the committee must be members of SAICSIT.
  2. Members of the committee do not have to be Council members.
  3. Subject to sub-clause 1, the Council may appoint as members of the committee people who are not SAICSIT members.

9.5        Procedures

  1. Subject to the provisions of these by-laws, the disciplinary committee may establish its own procedures, which may be informal.
  2. The principles of natural justice must be observed;
  3. Without limiting the above, a charged member must have the right to make representations to the committee, in person or in writing or both;
  4. Subject to sub-clause 5, a charged member may ask another member of SAICSIT to act as a friend at any hearing of the disciplinary committee;
  5. No party has a right to legal representation at any meeting of the disciplinary committee. It is the intention of these procedures that any cases be heard collegially with due regard to the size and nature of SAICSIT so legal representation shall not normally be allowed. However, the disciplinary committee may, at its discretion, allow legal representation by parties should the complexity of the case require it, but may only do so in most exceptional circumstances after consulting the President.
  6. If the charged member is granted legal representation, the disciplinary committee may authorise legal representation for the person leading evidence.
  7. “Legal representation” means anyone who is an attorney or advocate in South Africa, or holds a similar position in another jurisdiction, or anyone who has completed an LLB or BProc or similar degree.
  8. The disciplinary committee may at its discretion meet using video conference or internet technology.
  9. The committee may at any stage before giving a verdict suspend its work and recommend to the Council that the matter should be reconsidered de novo.

9.6        Decisions of the disciplinary committee

  1. At the conclusion of its hearing, the disciplinary committee shall on each charge
  2. Acquit or find the member guilty;
  3. If the member is found guilty, make a recommendation to the SAICSIT Council that the member be (a) warned, (b) reprimanded (c) suspended for some period of time not exceeding two years, or (d)
  4. Any punishment recommended may itself be suspended on whichever conditions the committee believes is appropriate.
  5. The Disciplinary Committee shall send its report, which shall include its findings and recommendations and its reasons therefor, to the SAICSIT Council and to the member.

(a)          The member may make written representations to the Council and/or make an appearance before the Council (which may be by video or internet technology).

                (b)          There is no other appeal process.

9.7        Decision of the Council

The Council shall consider the report and any representations made by the member, and the person who led evidence.

  1. With respect to a guilty verdict, the Council may confirm the verdict, or deal with the matter de novo.
  2. With respect to any sanction recommended by a disciplinary committee, the Council may confirm the decision of the committee, or set it aside or replace it with a lesser sanction.
  3. Any member of Council who is a member of the disciplinary committee, or who led evidence, or who has a significant conflict of interest shall recuse themselves from the Council meeting.
  4. At its discretion, the Council may invite the chair of the disciplinary committee and/or the person who led evidence and/or the member to attend the SAICSIT Council to make representations and to answer any questions of Council members. This is subject to
  5. The charged member also being invited to attend;
  6. Any such person invited in terms of this clause must withdraw from the meeting before the Council starts deliberations.
  7. At least 60% of Council members present must agree to expel a member.
  8. The Council may meet using video or internet conferencing technology.

9.8        Miscellaneous

  1. If a member is suspended for a period of time, all membership dues will remain due.
  2. If a member is expelled, s/he shall be refunded membership charges for the year.
  3. A member who was expelled or who resigns from SAICSIT between (i) the point a disciplinary charge is laid with the Council or the Council initiating disciplinary procedures, and (ii) the final decision of Council may only be readmitted to SAICSIT as follows:
  4. The candidate member must disclose the relevant facts on application.
  5. Readmission will be at the discretion of the Council and requires the support of at least 60% of Council members voting.
  6. The Council may terminate the membership of any person who does not disclose their previous status when applying to be a member.