ROAD SAFETY
LEON LOUW: Yet another unlawful arrest at yet another illegal roadblock
People seem to know they can’t be stopped and searched as pedestrians yet they accept roadblocks unquestioningly
I was arrested. At a roadblock. Not for failing to stop, being drunk, having no licence, driving an unroadworthy car or some other offence. Because I queried the legality of a roadblock. Having consulted eminent senior counsel, it seems almost all roadblocks are illegal. This one was the favourite highway hotspot for Ekurhuleni police: ORTambo Airport’s Johannesburg exit, the least likely place for illegal driving and the best place for bribes. I was waved on, but stopped. "Go," the metro police officer said. "No," I said. "You must." "I mustn’t." "Why?" "Because I must check your warrant." "What warrant?" "Your stop-and-search warrant." "We don’t need one." "You do — call the supervisor." "He’s not here." So it went. A commotion ensued among the cops. They ordered me out and arrested me unlawfully. Their obnoxious colleagues, shouting abuse, manhandled me into their car. One seized my phone to delete the video I was making. They took me to the airport charge office where they prese...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.