Criminologist weighs in on warrantless searches by SAPS units

A criminologist has said that specialised police units, such as the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), conducting a search without presenting a warrant raises constitutional concerns.

Chris Kanyane was responding to this weekend’s raid at the former Mitchells Plain home of MP Fadiel Adams.

According to the National Coloured Congress leader, officers failed to identify themselves and had covered their faces with balaclavas.

The current owner of the property has since opened a case of assault of a minor and intimidation.

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Kanyane said when police act in ways that appear secretive or intimidating and outside the Constitution, public trust can quickly erode.

“Even if the intention was legitimate, political PKTT is supposed to be one element of the policing that is respected and encouraged by society to go on and solve the issues of the meta economy where South Africa is," said Kanyane.

Kanyane, however, said there are instances where police may need to act with urgency, and that it is important that all the facts are established before conclusions are drawn.

"So we cannot completely make a conclusive judgment that the PKTT acted wrongly here. So, there are circumstances where police can act without warrant. And maybe this is one of those things, such as urgency or risk, as I already said," said Kanyane.