Comply during stop and searches – Edenvale Police
A delay in conducting the search would, therefore, defeat the purpose of a stop and search.
Edenvale SAPS urged the community to work with law enforcement and reminded them that officers do not need to have search warrants to perform search and seizure operations.
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Edenvale Police Station’s communication officer Sergeant Jacob Mashile said this reminder comes after numerous complaints from community members were brought to the station’s attention.
Commonly referred to as stop-and-searches, Mashile said such operations form part of the SAPS crime prevention strategy.
“Since the start of the year, officers performing stop-and-searches have received negative remarks from community members,” said Mashile.
He said some community members have given officers problems and informed SAPS members that they need search warrants to search them or their property.
“It is not always the case that a search warrant is needed.”
Mashile said the Criminal Procedure Act allows police to search any person, container or premises belonging to that person without a search warrant.
The act also allows officers to seize items believed to have been used in committing a crime or to be evidence that could assist the state in proving that an offence was committed.
Mashile said the searches can be conducted when consent from community members is provided or when officers have reasonable grounds to believe that a search warrant will be issued.
A delay in conducting the search would, therefore, defeat the purpose of a stop and search.
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He emphasised that even if community members do not provide consent for a search it can still be conducted without a warrant.
Mashile said police officers must have a reasonable suspicion that a person committed an offence before conducting a search, or has an item used or that will be used to commit a crime.
Highlighting the importance of stop-and-searches, Mashile said they are used to apprehend suspects who may be on their way to commit a crime or have evidence related to a criminal offence in their possession.
“Edenvale SAPS urges the community to comply with its members so that we can get rid of the rotten apples in our community.”
Mashile said if community members feel uncomfortable with a personal search, they need to communicate this with officers and request that the officers conduct the search of them at the police station or an alternative location.
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“If community members feel wrongly treated or victimised by the police, they need to contact the management of Edenvale Police Station.”
He said those who may feel victimised need to keep a record of the time, date, and location of where they were stopped.
Additionally, community members should try to obtain the names of the officers, the vehicle registration and if possible, the vehicle number.
“With these details and the use of SAPS’ automatic vehicle locater, the information will be verified.”
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