Posting that photo might just get you into trouble
Prohibitions on this kind of behaviour
The Chief of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), David Tembe, was recently asked why they protect the identity of suspects on social media, after an arrest was made.
He replied to the question, and said, “The South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995 is the reason, as it prohibits the depiction of suspects’ faces by publication of either a photo or a sketch.
“The Act states that the term ‘photograph’ includes any picture, visually perceptible image, depiction or any similar representation of the person concerned.
The term ‘published’, means that the photograph or sketch may not be exhibited, shown, televised or reproduced.
“The community should understand that nobody is allowed to publish a sketch or photograph of a person who is suspected of having committed an offence and has not been charged yet, who is in custody awaiting criminal proceedings to commence or anyone who is (or may be) expected to be a witness in criminal proceedings, without written permission from the National or Provincial Commissioner,” Tembe said.
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He added that anyone who contravenes this Act, shall be guilty of an offence and might be fined or face a jail sentence.
“It is imperative to know that any faces or registration numbers of vehicles should always be blurred out before being circulated,” he concluded.
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