SAHRC urges SAPS to refrain from making cannabis-related arrests
The commission says it has been inundated with complaints from cannabis-using communities about wrongful arrests since the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was passed in May this year.
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CAPE TOWN - The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has urged the South African Police Service (SAPS) to refrain from making cannabis-related arrests that may lead to human rights violations.
The commission says it has been inundated with complaints from cannabis-using communities about wrongful arrests since the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was passed in May this year.
The bill regulates the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis by adults in a private setting.
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SAHRC Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi said regulations related to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act must be implemented urgently.
"Members of the Rastafarian community allege that it is during this festive season where they see increased arrests and detention of their members, where they often have to wait for several days before appearing in court."
According to Madlingozi, the SAHRC has written to the national Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola with a message for SAPS officers.
"We are sending a reminder to SAPS that they need to abide by the spirit of the 2018 Constitutional Court judgment as well as the intention of the legislature."
Madlingozi said the SAHRC will meet with criminal justice cluster officials and the cannabis community in February to discuss regulating the act.