Can Internet Use Be Banned?

The Court of Magistrates has recently banned a man from using and accessing social media for a period of four years. The case involves a 22-year old man who used Facebook as a medium to express his 'plan' to kill the Prime Minister. 

This Court has ruled that the man be placed under a treatment order to undergo psychiatric care, and also handed down a six month imprisonment term, suspended for four years.

This decision has been made in terms of Article 412C of the Criminal Code according to which, the Court of Magistrates is entitled to issue a physical protection order whereby a person would be prohibited from approaching another.  Therefore, in terms of this Article the Court has issued a so-called 'online protection order'.