Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Deadly force under fire
The Citizen
|February 28, 2025
FOCUS ON POLICE: COMMISSION REVIEWS ACTIONS ALLOWED IN ARRESTS
Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which governs the use of deadly force by police officers, is again being reviewed by the South African Law Reform Commission.
Among the proposed amendments, open for public comment, is tightening the regulations on how and when officers can use lethal force during an arrest.
Gareth Newton of the Institute for Security Studies said the laws surrounding self-defence and the defence of others are not affected.
"The controversy lies in the fact that this law allows police to shoot at someone who is not posing an immediate threat.
"The concern is that officers might mistakenly shoot a suspect who turns out to be innocent.
"The real debate is whether this law provides enough safeguards to ensure that police are targeting the right individuals.
This story is from the February 28, 2025 edition of The Citizen.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Citizen
The Citizen
Boy's killer faces new trial
US prosecutors asked a judge on Tuesday to retry the main suspect in the infamous New York kidnap and murder of a six-year-old boy 46 years ago.
1 min
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
SA weighs 20% tax on online gambling
South Africa is considering imposing a 20% tax on online gambling to curb its rapid growth and address related social harms.
1 min
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
R6m reasons to hit jackpot
OPPORTUNITIES: SUMMER CUP A BETTOR'S DREAM
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Pension fund collapse exposes national rot
Incompetence and interference erode workers' futures. SA needs brains, not decay, writes Ivan.
1 min
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
We deserve more Tests
After an incredible two-Test shellacking of India on their home turf, surely the Proteas Test team deserve to be respected - and rewarded?
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Victory over India was team effort
It takes a special bunch of players to beat India in their backyard in Test cricket.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Better life derailed by looting
There has been an explosion on the looting express.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Trump turns turkey pardon into political roast
Donald Trump turned Washington’s fluffiest tradition into something a little tougher to carve on Tuesday - swapping holiday cheer for political score-settling as he pardoned two turkeys in the annual White House Thanksgiving ceremony.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Tshituka: Sharks in ‘a good space’
Despite their coaching shakeup, poor form and Springbok duties, Sharks captain Vincent Tshituka said the team is “in a good space” mentally and preparation-wise ahead of Saturday night's clash with Connacht.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The Citizen
Preparing for combat
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said yesterday his government will propose $40 billion (about R686 billion) in additional defence spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion.
1 min
November 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size