Ombudsman John Walter
The minister of defence should request for an amendment to put placed in the Defence Act if he so wishes to prohibit the taking of videos of soldiers in the line of duty by members of the public.
These are the sentiment that has been expressed by ombudsman John Walters right in the heels of him coming out to call for the removal of soldiers off the streets.
My reading and interpretation of the Defence Act (taking photos and videos) is not an offence. I would not say maybe he is ill-advised or wrongly advised in that regard, But I also recommend that if he wants that provision in the Defence Act, he should request an amendment so that you and I and the general public are aware of what the Act expects of us
The Criminal Procedure Act makes provision when the police can use lethal force on a person fleeing after they suspect there was a reasonable suspicion that he or she committed an offence,” said the Ombudsman.
This week, Walters has called for the temporary removal of soldiers from Operation Kalahari Desert, so they can receive expert training saying that this will ensure they can be safely deployment among civilians.
“Take them off the streets and let experienced and competent persons outside the police force provide them with expert training,” advocate Walters said.
Speaking to a local daily, he added it is necessary to “consider whether it is indeed necessary to arm our forces with such lethal weapons”.
He emphasized that despite joint anti-crime operations being important to tone down high levels of crime, many in the military were not good trained well enough on how to use lethal force.
Under the Police Act, armed officers may use lethal force under strict and limited conditions.
