THE Justice Department on Tuesday denied claims that changes to section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, governing force used by police when making arrests, is hampering the efficacy of police work. Department spokesperson Paul Setsetse said that the new section 49, due to come into effect in August, will in no way hamper police in their work. “All it does is to say the obvious — you may not murder,” the department said. The new section 49 allows the police or members of the public to use reasonable force when arresting a suspect. Using deadly force will be legal if this is immediately necessary to protect the individual carrying out the arrest against death or serious injury. “It is, however, a very different situation if one has all the time to effect an arrest, but deliberately shoots with the intention to kill,” said the department. A policeman, interviewed at the scene of two police murders at Roodepoort on Monday, was quoted as saying that changes to section 49 were undermining police morale. “This section 49 is exposing everyone because police are no longer allowed to shoot,” he said.
Another five cops suspended for brutality.