All you need to know about roadblocks
EMPD provides a guide on what to do when stopped at a roadblock.
Motorists have many questions when it comes to roadblocks. According to the EMPD, a roadblock is an operation conducted on a public road by the EMPD and other law enforcement agencies under the South African Police Services laws.
Roadblocks are mainly conducted in a particular area where crime statistics are mostly high, and the purpose is to combat crime.
“We have different kinds of roadblocks, and we conduct them according to what we are hoping to achieve for that roadblock,” said Constable Deliwe Ndlovu from the EMPD.
Ndlovu provided answers to some common questions surrounding roadblocks.
Q: If I am stopped at a roadblock, what can I expect?
A: You will be asked by the officer who stopped you to provide a driver’s licence and you are expected to comply.
Q: What will happen if I don’t have a driver’s licence or it has expired?
A: If your driver’s licence has expired, an officer can give you a written notice for driving with an expired driver’s licence. In a case where you don’t have it or you forgot your licence at home, the officer can detain you and ask you to call someone to bring you a driver’s licence or give you a traffic fine for driving without a driver’s licence.
Q: What if I’m asked that my car be searched? What are my rights?
A: According to our South African laws under the SAPS, an officer has a right to stop and search any vehicle suspected to be involved in any illegal activities. All that is expected from members of the public is to comply.
Q: If I refuse, what will happen?
A: Refusal to comply will lead you to being arrested and taken to the nearest police station to be detained and charged with failure to comply or furnish information to the officer of the law.
Q: What about outstanding traffic fines, can I be arrested for that?
A: It’s not all roadblocks that we check for outstanding fines. You will be expected to go and pay for those traffic fines. If there’s a warrant for those traffic fines, you will be expected to pay on the spot.
Q: What can I do if I feel intimidated by the EMPD officer?
A: You can ask for the supervisor or a person whose in charge of the roadblock and report to the officer.
Q: If I feel unsafe at a roadblock, what can I do?
A: There’s no need for you to feel unsafe because at a roadblock there’s lots of police visibility and if you don’t comply officers might suspect that you’re hiding something.
Q: How do I know if the EMPD officer is really an EMPD officer?
A: Every member of the public has a right to ask an officer to identify themselves and to also produce their appointment cards whenever they are being stopped by a metro police officer or any law enforcement official.
