s 84 Act of person of unsound mind
84.—(1) Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is —(a) incapable of knowing the nature of the act; (b) incapable of knowing that what he is doing is wrong; or[Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022] (c) completely deprived of any power to control his actions.[Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022] (2) Subsection (1)(b) applies only if the person is incapable of knowing that his act —(a) is wrong by the ordinary standards of reasonable and honest persons; and (b) is wrong as contrary to law.Illustration A, while labouring under a delusion, believes that he has received divine instructions to kill Z and that it is morally right for him to do so. A however knows that it is contrary to law to kill Z. A kills Z. Here, the defence of unsoundness of mind is not available to A as he is capable of knowing that it is contrary to law to kill Z. [15/2019] [Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022] —(1) Nothing is an offence which is done by a person who, at the time of doing it, by reason of unsoundness of mind, is —(a) incapable of knowing the nature of the act; (b) incapable of knowing that what he is doing is wrong; or[Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022] (c) completely deprived of any power to control his actions.[Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022] (2) Subsection (1)(b) applies only if the person is incapable of knowing that his act —(a) is wrong by the ordinary standards of reasonable and honest persons; and (b) is wrong as contrary to law.Illustration A, while labouring under a delusion, believes that he has received divine instructions to kill Z and that it is morally right for him to do so. A however knows that it is contrary to law to kill Z. A kills Z. Here, the defence of unsoundness of mind is not available to A as he is capable of knowing that it is contrary to law to kill Z. [15/2019] [Act 23 of 2021 wef 01/03/2022]