Ivan I have experienced the same thing twice. Once I mad an official complaint and it was handled by then Station Commander van der Riel and it even cam down to asking me if I wanted to press charges - which I did not. The second time I approached the CPF Chair who declined to do anything and I did not take it further.
If you want to take it further make a complaint and I would start with the Station Commander of Woodstock as these plain clothes guys likely fall under him. I would also notify the CPF. Yo are quite right they had no right to search you. You probably did the right thing although on both instances I stood my ground and WAS NOT SEARCHED. You have to try and read the situation. In any event I would never give permission to be searched. I would not physically stop them searching me as that could lead to and escalation. You have the right to see their ID cards (and a chance to properly read them). I would then say to them that they have no permission to search me but let them go ahead while repeating the same. If you consent to a search then you are on your own. Once you have given consent then you are giving up your right not to be searched. If you are arrested (no matter how bogus the charge and situation) they have the right to search you - but they need to tell you the charge. A popular charge with the SAPS Woodstock is "Failure to comply" something they use on the homeless all the time. Who knows what that really means. I hardly doubt they can legally and validly arrest you for Failure to comply with an illegal search. They could ask you to go the the station which you would not have to do unless arrested. You might be arrested at that stage on some or other charge. Likely you will then attend court and and no charges will be brought it will be thrown out - thereby making none other than a punishment meted out by the poilce - worse if this happens on a Friday as you could sit for the whole weekend. Goodluck Trev -- OPS [Obsid Public Safety] - 24/7 control room ---------------------------------------------- 021-447-1066 072-063-1653 For all emergencies please dial 10111 ---------------------------------------------- ONW: 082 081 0142, ONW email: [email protected] WEB: www.obswatch.org.za ---------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups The Observatory Neighbourhood watch group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/obsnw?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
