SAHRC says SAPS still arresting cannabis users despite directive to stop
The commission said it's been inundated with complaints about wrongful arrests since the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was passed in May this year.
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CAPE TOWN - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says police are continuing to arrest cannabis users despite being issued with a directive to stop.
The commission said it's been inundated with complaints about wrongful arrests since the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act was passed in May this year.
The SAHRC has since urged the national police commissioner to remind SAPS officers to refrain from making cannabis-related arrests that may lead to human rights violations.
SAHRC Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi: "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."
Cannabis advocate, Gareth Prince, said police were breaking the law when they arrested people for possession and use of the plant.
"It's been business as usual for the police despite the fact that on the 18th of September 2018, there was a momentous judgment where the cannabis laws in the country were found to be unlawful and that the origin of these laws were found to be racist. But the police haven't changed their attitude in relation to cannabis and the cannabis community."
The SAHRC will meet with criminal justice cluster officials to discuss regulating the act in February next year.